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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,012 per month in Iernut vs $861 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,519 per month in Iernut vs $1,350 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,026 per month in Iernut vs $1,838 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Iernut costs about 18% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Iernut and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Iernut 24% lower, Chiang Mai 36% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Iernut
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.46 RON 38.81
$1.96 ฿65.9
331.63%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$39.82 RON 183
$18.35 ฿617
117.00%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.83 RON 35.89
$7.48 ฿252
4.68%
Cappuccino
$2.30 RON 10.57
$2.02 ฿67.8
13.86%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.33 RON 6.09
$0.85 ฿28.52
56.47%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.12 RON 5.13
$0.36 ฿11.97
211.11%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.27 RON 10.42
$2.14 ฿71.9
6.07%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.71 RON 12.43
$3.59 ฿121
-24.51%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Iernut
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.50 RON 6.86
$1.65 ฿55.5
-9.09%
White Bread (500g)
$1.18 RON 5.39
$1.57 ฿52.7
-24.84%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.63 RON 7.46
$1.19 ฿40.05
36.97%
Eggs
$2.94 RON 13.47
$1.94 ฿65.1
51.55%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.41 RON 38.57
$16.19 ฿545
-48.05%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.11 RON 32.59
$2.99 ฿101
137.79%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.93 RON 54.7
$10.94 ฿368
9.05%
Apples (1kg)
$1.02 RON 4.67
$2.71 ฿91.2
-62.36%
Banana (1kg)
$1.35 RON 6.21
$1.17 ฿39.27
15.38%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.49 RON 6.82
$1.69 ฿56.8
-11.83%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.92 RON 8.81
$1.60 ฿54.0
20.00%
Potato (1kg)
$0.94 RON 4.29
$1.38 ฿46.56
-31.88%
Onion (1kg)
$0.93 RON 4.25
$1.20 ฿40.47
-22.50%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.80 RON 3.69
$0.67 ฿22.51
19.40%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80 RON 3.66
$0.56 ฿18.74
42.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.96 RON 27.31
$4.64 ฿156
28.45%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.70 RON 35.29
$17.62 ฿593
-56.30%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.07 RON 4.91
$1.86 ฿62.6
-42.47%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.70 RON 7.80
$3.30 ฿111
-48.48%
🚌 Getting Around
Iernut
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.72 RON 3.28
$0.88 ฿29.70
-18.18%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$19.66 RON 90.2
$19.34 ฿651
1.65%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.73 RON 3.33
$1.36 ฿45.92
-46.32%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.74 RON 3.41
$1.34 ฿45.00
-44.78%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.06 RON 32.38
$8.21 ฿276
-14.01%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.58 RON 7.26
$1.22 ฿41.20
29.51%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.0K RON 128.5K
$21.4K ฿718.5K
31.19%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.4K RON 125.8K
$22.5K ฿758.1K
21.74%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Iernut
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$166 RON 763
$70.7 ฿2,378
135.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.28 RON 37.99
$14.04 ฿472
-41.03%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.26 RON 42.46
$17.49 ฿589
-47.06%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Iernut
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$41.27 RON 189
$42.15 ฿1,418
-2.09%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.44 RON 89.2
$6.88 ฿231
182.56%
Cinema Ticket
$5.91 RON 27.11
$5.92 ฿199
-0.17%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Iernut
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$451 RON 2,067
$309 ฿10.4K
46.10%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,664 RON 30.6K
$14.9K ฿500.7K
-55.21%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Iernut
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$66.2 RON 303
$55.8 ฿1,876
18.65%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.47 RON 149
$26.11 ฿879
24.36%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$74.9 RON 343
$83.0 ฿2,793
-9.83%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$79.8 RON 366
$70.5 ฿2,371
13.23%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Iernut
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$382 RON 1,754
$432 ฿14.5K
-11.50%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$295 RON 1,351
$239 ฿8,040
23.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$585 RON 2,684
$822 ฿27.7K
-28.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$435 RON 1,993
$512 ฿17.2K
-15.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,762 RON 8,082
$1,915 ฿64.4K
-7.96%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,593 RON 7,306
$1,467 ฿49.4K
8.59%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Iernut
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$579 ฿19.5K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.7
5
54.00%

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

Last update for Iernut: July 13, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $382 in Iernut versus $432 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $40.00 in Iernut versus $18.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $212 in Iernut vs $243 in Chiang Mai – 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 18% 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 and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,519 per month in Iernut and $1,292 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – 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 in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $451 per month in Iernut and $309 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 in Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 15% cheaper in Iernut – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Iernut or in Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $861, than in Iernut at $1,012. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Iernut it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Iernut or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $861 versus $1,012 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 – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Iernut or to 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.

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