Cost of Living Comparison Between Ibadan and Chiang Mai Cost of Living Comparison Between Ibadan and Chiang Mai

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $250 per month in Ibadan vs $950 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $558 per month in Ibadan vs $1,430 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $866 per month in Ibadan vs $1,909 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Ibadan is about 74% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Ibadan and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Ibadan 82% lower, Chiang Mai 31% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ibadan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.11 ₦1,476
$2.10 ฿69.3
-47.14%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.24 ₦40.1K
$19.84 ฿656
52.42%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.09 ₦8,073
$5.79 ฿191
5.18%
Cappuccino
$0.80 ₦1,066
$1.83 ฿60.4
-56.28%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.20 ₦265
$0.78 ฿25.61
-74.36%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.12 ₦153
$0.31 ฿10.37
-61.29%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.58 ₦771
$2.34 ฿77.2
-75.21%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.15 ₦1,528
$3.70 ฿122
-68.92%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ibadan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.59 ₦787
$2.03 ฿67.1
-70.94%
White Bread (500g)
$0.60 ₦791
$1.60 ฿52.7
-62.50%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.11 ₦1,476
$1.42 ฿46.75
-21.83%
Eggs
$1.53 ₦2,034
$2.18 ฿71.9
-29.82%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$3.52 ₦4,667
$15.91 ฿526
-77.88%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.89 ₦5,153
$3.07 ฿102
26.71%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$0.75 ₦993
$9.87 ฿326
-92.40%
Apples (1kg)
$1.67 ₦2,209
$2.63 ฿86.8
-36.50%
Banana (1kg)
$1.32 ₦1,743
$1.10 ฿36.19
20.00%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.13 ₦1,501
$1.63 ฿53.8
-30.67%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.29 ₦382
$1.53 ฿50.6
-81.05%
Potato (1kg)
$0.58 ₦774
$1.24 ฿41.13
-53.23%
Onion (1kg)
$0.24 ₦319
$1.13 ฿37.37
-78.76%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.22 ₦290
$0.74 ฿24.38
-70.27%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.14 ₦181
$0.50 ฿16.48
-72.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$0.59 ₦784
$4.28 ฿141
-86.21%
Wine (Bottle)
$1.12 ₦1,482
$17.97 ฿594
-93.77%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.41 ₦542
$1.70 ฿56.1
-75.88%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46 ₦616
$2.90 ฿95.7
-84.14%
🚌 Getting Around
Ibadan
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.12 ₦162
$0.94 ฿31.13
-87.23%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$55.3 ฿1,827
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.70 ₦933
$1.23 ฿40.76
-43.09%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.62 ₦827
$0.53 ฿17.66
16.98%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.13 ₦1,492
$2.40 ฿79.3
-52.92%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.55 ₦734
$1.44 ฿47.55
-61.81%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$4,162 ₦5.5M
$21.2K ฿700.2K
-80.36%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$14.0K ₦18.5M
$27.3K ฿902.1K
-48.88%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ibadan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$11.27 ₦14.9K
$64.9 ฿2,145
-82.64%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.81 ₦5,047
$13.35 ฿441
-71.46%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.06 ₦12.0K
$20.83 ฿688
-56.51%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ibadan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$21.77 ₦28.9K
$40.42 ฿1,336
-46.14%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$3.95 ฿131
-
Cinema Ticket
$1.54 ₦2,035
$6.71 ฿222
-77.05%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ibadan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$48.73 ₦64.6K
$787 ฿26.0K
-93.81%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$627 ₦831.4K
$15.1K ฿499.6K
-95.85%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ibadan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$12.16 ₦16.1K
$56.2 ฿1,858
-78.37%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$5.80 ₦7,689
$24.95 ฿824
-76.75%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$15.07 ₦20.0K
$92.7 ฿3,063
-83.75%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$21.64 ₦28.7K
$75.1 ฿2,482
-71.19%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ibadan
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$124 ₦164.4K
$484 ฿16.0K
-74.35%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$45.33 ₦60.1K
$287 ฿9,491
-84.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$461 ₦611.0K
$910 ฿30.1K
-49.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$308 ₦408.2K
$531 ฿17.5K
-41.96%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$875 ₦1.2M
$1,980 ฿65.4K
-55.81%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$30.87 ₦40.9K
$1,451 ฿47.9K
-97.87%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ibadan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$58.2 ₦77.2K
$605 ฿20.0K
-90.38%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
18.05
5.57
224.06%

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

Last update for Ibadan: September 7, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $124 in Ibadan versus $484 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 939% higher in Chiang Mai, 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 $30.00 in Ibadan versus $20.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $87.0 in Ibadan vs $242 in Chiang Mai – so Ibadan wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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
Ibadan vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ibadan or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 280% more than Ibadan, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 Ibadan and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $375 per month in Ibadan and $1,426 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Ibadan or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Ibadan, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Ibadan and in Chiang Mai?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $30.00 in Ibadan and $20.00 in Chiang Mai. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Ibadan or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 179% more in Chiang Mai, 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 Ibadan or in Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Ibadan, where all-in costs run around $250, than in Chiang Mai at $950. In Ibadan it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Ibadan or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Ibadan costs $250 versus $950 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Ibadan 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 Ibadan or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Ibadan. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chiang Mai makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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