😐A single person spends $1,869 per month in Hamilton vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,967 per month in Hamilton vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,066 per month in Hamilton vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐Hamilton costs about 119% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Hamilton sits 40% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 36% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Moneda
🍽 Eating Out
Hamilton
Chiang Mai
Diferencia
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.89NZ$23.61
$1.96฿63.6
608.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$85.0NZ$145
$18.81฿611
351.94%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.86NZ$15.07
$7.92฿258
11.87%
Cappuccino
$3.69NZ$6.27
$1.91฿62.2
93.19%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.41NZ$4.10
$0.84฿27.25
186.90%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88NZ$4.90
$0.35฿11.44
722.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.73NZ$11.43
$2.21฿71.7
204.52%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.99NZ$10.19
$3.80฿124
57.63%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hamilton
Chiang Mai
Diferencia
Milk(1 liter)
$1.60NZ$2.71
$1.64฿53.2
-2.44%
White Bread(500g)
$1.30NZ$2.22
$1.62฿52.8
-19.75%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.94NZ$3.29
$1.18฿38.40
64.41%
Eggs
$6.04NZ$10.27
$2.01฿65.4
200.50%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.65NZ$9.61
$15.89฿517
-64.44%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.19NZ$13.92
$3.01฿98.0
172.09%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.21NZ$19.05
$10.77฿350
4.09%
Apples(1kg)
$2.68NZ$4.56
$2.61฿85.0
2.68%
Banana(1kg)
$2.96NZ$5.03
$1.22฿39.65
142.62%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.05NZ$5.18
$1.70฿55.4
79.41%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.49NZ$11.03
$1.58฿51.2
310.76%
Potato(1kg)
$2.26NZ$3.84
$1.32฿42.89
71.21%
Onion(1kg)
$1.91NZ$3.24
$1.17฿38.01
63.25%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.72NZ$4.62
$0.67฿21.85
305.97%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.03NZ$1.76
$0.56฿18.21
83.93%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$25.68NZ$43.66
$4.53฿147
466.89%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.20NZ$19.04
$18.20฿592
-38.46%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.46NZ$5.87
$1.83฿59.6
89.07%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.42NZ$7.51
$3.23฿105
36.84%
🚌 Getting Around
Hamilton
Chiang Mai
Diferencia
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.63NZ$2.77
$0.89฿28.83
83.15%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$47.48NZ$80.7
$19.38฿630
144.99%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.25NZ$7.23
$1.35฿43.95
214.81%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.98NZ$3.37
$1.35฿43.79
46.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$42.54NZ$72.3
$8.25฿268
415.64%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.72NZ$2.92
$1.27฿41.40
35.43%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.4KNZ$39.8K
$21.2K฿687.8K
10.56%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.6KNZ$38.4K
$22.5K฿731.0K
0.45%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hamilton
Chiang Mai
Diferencia
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$93.9NZ$160
$70.2฿2,281
33.88%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$39.03NZ$66.4
$13.77฿448
183.44%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$54.2NZ$92.1
$17.60฿572
207.95%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hamilton
Chiang Mai
Diferencia
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$32.44NZ$55.2
$41.57฿1,352
-21.96%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.44NZ$27.95
$6.60฿215
149.09%
Cinema Ticket
$13.38NZ$22.74
$5.78฿188
131.49%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hamilton
Chiang Mai
Diferencia
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$835NZ$1,419
$306฿9,953
172.62%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$17.9KNZ$30.5K
$14.8K฿482.0K
21.06%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hamilton
Chiang Mai
Diferencia
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$63.0NZ$107
$54.4฿1,768
15.80%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.00NZ$69.7
$26.14฿850
56.85%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$88.2NZ$150
$84.5฿2,748
4.29%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114NZ$194
$69.4฿2,257
64.63%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hamilton
Chiang Mai
Diferencia
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$958NZ$1,629
$424฿13.8K
126.18%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$878NZ$1,492
$238฿7,743
268.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,249NZ$2,123
$825฿26.8K
51.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,615NZ$2,746
$515฿16.7K
213.47%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,675NZ$9,647
$2,049฿66.6K
176.89%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,916NZ$8,358
$1,523฿49.5K
222.86%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hamilton
Chiang Mai
Diferencia
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,673NZ$4,545
$635฿20.6K
320.87%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.83
5
36.60%
Los datos de CityCost se basan en IA y aportaciones de usuarios. Puede haber pequeñas variaciones.
Última actualización para Hamilton: April 25, 2026
Última actualización para Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $958 in Hamilton versus $424 in Chiang Mai. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 321% higher in Hamilton, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $85.0 in Hamilton versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $311 vs $243 – making Chiang Mai the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
Comparación de velocidades medias de internet por ciudad (actualizado April 2026)
El gráfico resalta el umbral de precisión para velocidades de internet móvil y fija, actualizado trimestralmente.
Índice del coste de vida para nómadas digitales
Hamilton vs Chiang Mai: Coste de vida - preguntas frecuentes
Which city is more expensive, Hamilton or Chiang Mai?
Hamilton costs about 119% more than Chiang Mai, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Hamilton vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,803 per month in Hamilton and $1,278 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Hamilton or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Chiang Mai, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Hamilton and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $835 per month in Hamilton and $306 in Chiang Mai. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Hamilton or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 28% more in Hamilton, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Hamilton or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Hamilton at $1,869. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Hamilton it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Hamilton or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $1,869 in Hamilton. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Hamilton compared to Chiang Mai?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Hamilton or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Hamilton makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Hamilton vs otros destinos: coste de vida comparado