πA single person spends $1,033 per month in Iernut vs $866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,531 per month in Iernut vs $1,351 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,029 per month in Iernut vs $1,835 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πIernut costs about 19% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Iernut and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median β Iernut23% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Iernut
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.37RONΒ 37.84
$1.94ΰΈΏ63.5
331.44%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$40.27RONΒ 182
$18.64ΰΈΏ609
116.04%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.24RONΒ 37.23
$7.82ΰΈΏ255
5.37%
Cappuccino
$2.30RONΒ 10.41
$1.95ΰΈΏ63.8
17.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.33RONΒ 5.99
$0.85ΰΈΏ27.77
56.47%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.14RONΒ 5.15
$0.35ΰΈΏ11.58
225.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.31RONΒ 10.45
$2.13ΰΈΏ69.6
8.45%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.81RONΒ 12.70
$3.73ΰΈΏ122
-24.66%
π Groceries & Markets
Iernut
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.55RONΒ 7.01
$1.71ΰΈΏ56.0
-9.36%
White Bread(500g)
$1.22RONΒ 5.54
$1.63ΰΈΏ53.2
-25.15%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.60RONΒ 7.22
$1.14ΰΈΏ37.15
40.35%
Eggs
$3.06RONΒ 13.84
$1.93ΰΈΏ63.1
58.55%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.46RONΒ 38.25
$16.21ΰΈΏ530
-47.81%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.01RONΒ 31.70
$3.12ΰΈΏ102
124.68%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.12RONΒ 54.8
$10.90ΰΈΏ356
11.19%
Apples(1kg)
$1.03RONΒ 4.65
$2.75ΰΈΏ90.0
-62.55%
Banana(1kg)
$1.31RONΒ 5.94
$1.21ΰΈΏ39.52
8.26%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52RONΒ 6.89
$1.62ΰΈΏ53.0
-6.17%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.94RONΒ 8.76
$1.59ΰΈΏ51.8
22.01%
Potato(1kg)
$0.88RONΒ 3.97
$1.40ΰΈΏ45.70
-37.14%
Onion(1kg)
$0.86RONΒ 3.90
$1.17ΰΈΏ38.17
-26.50%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.79RONΒ 3.56
$0.66ΰΈΏ21.60
19.70%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80RONΒ 3.62
$0.53ΰΈΏ17.22
50.94%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.81RONΒ 26.25
$4.69ΰΈΏ153
23.88%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.87RONΒ 35.57
$18.66ΰΈΏ609
-57.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.09RONΒ 4.92
$1.80ΰΈΏ58.8
-39.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.68RONΒ 7.60
$3.23ΰΈΏ106
-47.99%
π Getting Around
Iernut
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.70RONΒ 3.17
$0.90ΰΈΏ29.26
-22.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.48RONΒ 88.1
$19.21ΰΈΏ628
1.41%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.77RONΒ 3.48
$1.41ΰΈΏ45.91
-45.39%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.75RONΒ 3.40
$1.29ΰΈΏ42.12
-41.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.74RONΒ 30.47
$7.84ΰΈΏ256
-14.03%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.61RONΒ 7.27
$1.27ΰΈΏ41.58
26.77%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.6KRONΒ 124.8K
$21.3KΰΈΏ694.9K
29.73%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.3KRONΒ 127.9K
$22.2KΰΈΏ725.4K
27.42%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Iernut
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$167RONΒ 753
$69.1ΰΈΏ2,256
141.32%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.31RONΒ 37.57
$14.08ΰΈΏ460
-40.98%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.18RONΒ 41.50
$18.00ΰΈΏ588
-49.00%
π Sport & Entertainment
Iernut
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.12RONΒ 190
$41.06ΰΈΏ1,341
2.58%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.50RONΒ 88.1
$6.96ΰΈΏ227
180.17%
Cinema Ticket
$5.86RONΒ 26.50
$5.92ΰΈΏ193
-1.01%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Iernut
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$449RONΒ 2,028
$299ΰΈΏ9,766
50.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,609RONΒ 29.9K
$15.0KΰΈΏ488.3K
-55.80%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Iernut
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$65.9RONΒ 298
$54.7ΰΈΏ1,787
20.44%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.16RONΒ 145
$26.77ΰΈΏ874
20.13%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$73.6RONΒ 332
$85.0ΰΈΏ2,776
-13.46%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$81.8RONΒ 370
$70.6ΰΈΏ2,306
15.84%
π Accommodation & Living
Iernut
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$384RONΒ 1,735
$428ΰΈΏ14.0K
-10.34%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$293RONΒ 1,326
$237ΰΈΏ7,752
23.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$580RONΒ 2,624
$801ΰΈΏ26.2K
-27.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$435RONΒ 1,965
$515ΰΈΏ16.8K
-15.67%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,694RONΒ 7,657
$1,975ΰΈΏ64.5K
-14.22%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,579RONΒ 7,138
$1,475ΰΈΏ48.2K
7.05%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Iernut
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$617ΰΈΏ20.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.7
5
54.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Iernut: June 1, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $384 in Iernut versus $428 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.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $40.00 in Iernut versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story β $214 in Iernut vs $246 in Chiang Mai β so Iernut 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
Iernut vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Iernut or Chiang Mai?
Iernut costs about 19% 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 Iernut vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,549 per month in Iernut and $1,300 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Iernut 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 Iernut and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $449 per month in Iernut and $299 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 Iernut or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 15% cheaper in Iernut β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $800/month in Iernut or Chiang Mai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably β all-in costs are $1,033 in Iernut and $866 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Iernut or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $866 versus $1,033 in Iernut. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Iernut 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 β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Iernut or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Iernut makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.