Cost of Living Comparison Between Highlands Ranch, CO and Chiang Mai Cost of Living Comparison Between Highlands Ranch, CO and Chiang Mai

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,473 per month in Highlands Ranch, CO vs $845 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,579 per month in Highlands Ranch, CO vs $1,323 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,686 per month in Highlands Ranch, CO vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Highlands Ranch, CO costs about 193% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Highlands Ranch, CO sits 85% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 37% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.03 $15.03

$1.95 ฿62.8

670.77%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$73.2 $73.2

$18.43 ฿594

297.40%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.13 $10.13

$7.50 ฿241

35.07%

Cappuccino

$4.81 $4.81

$1.93 ฿62.3

149.22%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.95 $1.95

$0.78 ฿25.08

150.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.40 $2.40

$0.32 ฿10.42

650.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.09 $5.09

$2.15 ฿69.2

136.74%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.97 $5.97

$3.71 ฿120

60.92%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$1.71 ฿55.2

-38.01%

White Bread (500g)

$3.08 $3.08

$1.56 ฿50.3

97.44%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.32 $3.32

$1.18 ฿38.06

181.36%

Eggs

$4.23 $4.23

$1.98 ฿63.9

113.64%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.99 $10.99

$16.04 ฿517

-31.48%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.19 $7.19

$3.17 ฿102

126.81%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.68 $16.68

$10.94 ฿353

52.47%

Apples (1kg)

$3.97 $3.97

$2.63 ฿84.7

50.95%

Banana (1kg)

$1.49 $1.49

$1.17 ฿37.61

27.35%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.21 $4.21

$1.65 ฿53.0

155.15%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.09 $5.09

$1.54 ฿49.51

230.52%

Potato (1kg)

$2.37 $2.37

$1.38 ฿44.34

71.74%

Onion (1kg)

$1.87 $1.87

$1.17 ฿37.54

59.83%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.51 $2.51

$0.66 ฿21.25

280.30%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.05 $2.05

$0.51 ฿16.55

301.96%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.47 $9.47

$4.52 ฿146

109.51%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.76 $17.76

$18.32 ฿590

-3.06%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.26 $2.26

$1.80 ฿57.9

25.56%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$3.18 ฿102

-16.35%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.97 $1.97

$0.90 ฿28.97

118.89%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.00 ฿612

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.44 $2.44

$1.41 ฿45.50

73.05%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.31 ฿42.15

5.34%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.62 $24.62

$8.09 ฿261

204.33%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.87 $0.87

$1.28 ฿41.08

-32.03%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$27.2K $27.2K

$21.3K ฿686.1K

27.80%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.9K $25.9K

$21.7K ฿699.3K

19.14%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$168 $168

$69.2 ฿2,230

142.36%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$42.35 $42.35

$13.97 ฿450

203.15%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$77.3 $77.3

$17.95 ฿578

330.70%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.10 $43.10

$42.31 ฿1,363

1.87%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.66 ฿214

Cinema Ticket

$11.90 $11.90

$5.92 ฿191

101.01%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,526 $1,526

$299 ฿9,640

410.16%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.4K $12.4K

$14.8K ฿478.4K

-16.45%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60.6 $60.6

$56.2 ฿1,810

7.81%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$91.1 $91.1

$26.94 ฿868

238.27%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$78.9 $78.9

$84.9 ฿2,735

-7.01%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 $107

$71.8 ฿2,314

49.10%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,584 $1,584

$435 ฿14.0K

264.12%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,370 $1,370

$240 ฿7,727

471.11%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,625 $2,625

$798 ฿25.7K

229.08%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,225 $2,225

$498 ฿16.1K

346.41%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,346 $2,346

$1,995 ฿64.3K

17.59%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,212 $2,212

$1,532 ฿49.4K

44.41%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$7,560 $7,560

$628 ฿20.2K

1103.35%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.59

31.80%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Highlands Ranch, CO: April 20, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,584 in Highlands Ranch, CO versus $435 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 1103% higher in Highlands Ranch, CO, 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 $73 in Highlands Ranch, CO versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $359 vs $244 – 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

Highlands Ranch, CO vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Highlands Ranch, CO costs about 193% 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.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,709 per month in Highlands Ranch, CO and $1,267 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $73.0 in Highlands Ranch, CO and $18.00 in Chiang Mai. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 47% more in Highlands Ranch, CO, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $845, than in Highlands Ranch, CO at $2,473. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Highlands Ranch, CO it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $845 versus $2,473 in Highlands Ranch, CO. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Highlands Ranch, CO makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.