ðA single person spends $2,203 per month in Hamont-Achel vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $3,230 per month in Hamont-Achel vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $4,258 per month in Hamont-Achel vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðHamont-Achel costs about 158% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðHamont-Achel sits 65% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 36% below â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Hamont-Achel
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.20âŽ14.69
$1.96āļŋ63.6
777.55%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$93.0âŽ79.4
$18.81āļŋ611
394.36%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.19âŽ10.41
$7.92āļŋ258
53.91%
Cappuccino
$3.39âŽ2.90
$1.91āļŋ62.2
77.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.15âŽ2.69
$0.84āļŋ27.25
275.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.35âŽ2.01
$0.35āļŋ11.44
571.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.61âŽ3.93
$2.21āļŋ71.7
108.60%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.73âŽ3.19
$3.80āļŋ124
-1.84%
ð Groceries & Markets
Hamont-Achel
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.28âŽ1.10
$1.64āļŋ53.2
-21.95%
White Bread(500g)
$2.82âŽ2.41
$1.62āļŋ52.8
74.07%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.37âŽ2.02
$1.18āļŋ38.40
100.85%
Eggs
$3.72âŽ3.18
$2.01āļŋ65.4
85.07%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$25.28âŽ21.59
$15.89āļŋ517
59.09%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$11.18âŽ9.55
$3.01āļŋ98.0
271.43%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$21.05âŽ17.98
$10.77āļŋ350
95.45%
Apples(1kg)
$3.22âŽ2.75
$2.61āļŋ85.0
23.37%
Banana(1kg)
$2.45âŽ2.09
$1.22āļŋ39.65
100.82%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.01âŽ2.57
$1.70āļŋ55.4
77.06%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.17âŽ2.71
$1.58āļŋ51.2
100.63%
Potato(1kg)
$2.92âŽ2.49
$1.32āļŋ42.89
121.21%
Onion(1kg)
$2.23âŽ1.91
$1.17āļŋ38.01
90.60%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.80âŽ1.54
$0.67āļŋ21.85
168.66%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90âŽ0.77
$0.56āļŋ18.21
60.71%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.69âŽ8.28
$4.53āļŋ147
113.91%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.54âŽ8.15
$18.20āļŋ592
-47.58%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.12âŽ1.81
$1.83āļŋ59.6
15.85%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.11âŽ2.65
$3.23āļŋ105
-3.72%
ð Getting Around
Hamont-Achel
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.81âŽ2.40
$0.89āļŋ28.83
215.73%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$57.6âŽ49.22
$19.38āļŋ630
197.37%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.93âŽ4.21
$1.35āļŋ43.95
265.19%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.44âŽ2.09
$1.35āļŋ43.79
80.74%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$40.83âŽ34.87
$8.25āļŋ268
394.91%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.94âŽ1.66
$1.27āļŋ41.40
52.76%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.4KâŽ29.4K
$21.2Kāļŋ687.8K
62.55%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.7KâŽ24.5K
$22.5Kāļŋ731.0K
27.81%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hamont-Achel
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$350âŽ299
$70.2āļŋ2,281
398.29%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$28.17âŽ24.06
$13.77āļŋ448
104.58%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$61.3âŽ52.3
$17.60āļŋ572
248.01%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Hamont-Achel
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$38.50âŽ32.88
$41.57āļŋ1,352
-7.39%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.72âŽ14.28
$6.60āļŋ215
153.33%
Cinema Ticket
$15.85âŽ13.54
$5.78āļŋ188
174.22%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Hamont-Achel
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$624âŽ533
$306āļŋ9,953
103.93%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.6KâŽ11.6K
$14.8Kāļŋ482.0K
-8.16%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Hamont-Achel
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$85.4âŽ73.0
$54.4āļŋ1,768
57.13%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.40âŽ41.34
$26.14āļŋ850
85.16%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$111âŽ94.4
$84.5āļŋ2,748
30.73%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$172âŽ147
$69.4āļŋ2,257
147.20%
ð Accommodation & Living
Hamont-Achel
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$918âŽ784
$424āļŋ13.8K
116.71%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$754âŽ644
$238āļŋ7,743
216.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,331âŽ1,136
$825āļŋ26.8K
61.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,089âŽ930
$515āļŋ16.7K
111.46%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,146âŽ2,687
$2,049āļŋ66.6K
53.50%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,788âŽ2,381
$1,523āļŋ49.5K
83.06%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Hamont-Achel
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$635āļŋ20.6K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.65
5
-27.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Hamont-Achel: April 28, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $918 in Hamont-Achel 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.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $93.0 in Hamont-Achel versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $386 vs $243 â making Chiang Mai the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Hamont-Achel vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Hamont-Achel or Chiang Mai?
Hamont-Achel costs about 158% 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 Hamont-Achel vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,304 per month in Hamont-Achel and $1,278 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Hamont-Achel 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 Hamont-Achel and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $624 per month in Hamont-Achel 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 Hamont-Achel or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 59% more in Hamont-Achel, 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 Hamont-Achel or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Hamont-Achel at $2,203. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Hamont-Achel it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Hamont-Achel or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $2,203 in Hamont-Achel. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Hamont-Achel 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 â central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Hamont-Achel or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Hamont-Achel makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Hamont-Achel vs other spots: cost of living compared