ðA single person spends $700 per month in Ilheus vs $845 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,101 per month in Ilheus vs $1,323 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,502 per month in Ilheus vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðIlheus is about 17% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Ilheus and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median â Ilheus48% lower, Chiang Mai37% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Ilheus
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.98R$19.80
$1.95āļŋ62.8
104.10%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$26.60R$132
$18.43āļŋ594
44.33%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.27R$31.17
$7.50āļŋ241
-16.40%
Cappuccino
$1.72R$8.55
$1.93āļŋ62.3
-10.88%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.11R$5.52
$0.78āļŋ25.08
42.31%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.67R$3.34
$0.32āļŋ10.42
109.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.84R$9.12
$2.15āļŋ69.2
-14.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.62R$13.04
$3.71āļŋ120
-29.38%
ð Groceries & Markets
Ilheus
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.94R$4.69
$1.71āļŋ55.2
-45.03%
White Bread(500g)
$1.44R$7.16
$1.56āļŋ50.3
-7.69%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18R$5.84
$1.18āļŋ38.06
-
Eggs
$2.01R$10.00
$1.98āļŋ63.9
1.52%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$17.08R$84.9
$16.04āļŋ517
6.48%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.57R$17.72
$3.17āļŋ102
12.62%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.14R$35.48
$10.94āļŋ353
-34.73%
Apples(1kg)
$2.06R$10.24
$2.63āļŋ84.7
-21.67%
Banana(1kg)
$1.29R$6.44
$1.17āļŋ37.61
10.26%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.19R$5.90
$1.65āļŋ53.0
-27.88%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.46R$7.25
$1.54āļŋ49.51
-5.19%
Potato(1kg)
$1.14R$5.68
$1.38āļŋ44.34
-17.39%
Onion(1kg)
$1.07R$5.32
$1.17āļŋ37.54
-8.55%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.75R$3.75
$0.66āļŋ21.25
13.64%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.62R$3.10
$0.51āļŋ16.55
21.57%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.19R$10.89
$4.52āļŋ146
-51.55%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.73R$38.40
$18.32āļŋ590
-57.81%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.27R$6.29
$1.80āļŋ57.9
-29.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01R$9.99
$3.18āļŋ102
-36.79%
ð Getting Around
Ilheus
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.86R$4.29
$0.90āļŋ28.97
-4.44%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$38.14R$190
$19.00āļŋ612
100.74%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.10R$5.47
$1.41āļŋ45.50
-21.99%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.75R$3.75
$1.31āļŋ42.15
-42.75%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.54R$32.50
$8.09āļŋ261
-19.16%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.98R$4.88
$1.28āļŋ41.08
-23.44%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.9KR$103.7K
$21.3Kāļŋ686.1K
-2.06%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.1KR$139.4K
$21.7Kāļŋ699.3K
29.25%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ilheus
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$60.4R$300
$69.2āļŋ2,230
-12.75%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.44R$66.8
$13.97āļŋ450
-3.79%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.09R$94.9
$17.95āļŋ578
6.35%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Ilheus
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$22.42R$111
$42.31āļŋ1,363
-47.01%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.28R$106
$6.66āļŋ214
219.52%
Cinema Ticket
$6.47R$32.17
$5.92āļŋ191
9.29%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Ilheus
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$270R$1,339
$299āļŋ9,640
-9.92%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,472R$32.2K
$14.8Kāļŋ478.4K
-56.42%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Ilheus
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.98R$248
$56.2āļŋ1,810
-11.05%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.72R$212
$26.94āļŋ868
58.57%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$75.8R$377
$84.9āļŋ2,735
-10.64%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$65.2R$324
$71.8āļŋ2,314
-9.26%
ð Accommodation & Living
Ilheus
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$170R$843
$435āļŋ14.0K
-60.99%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$119R$591
$240āļŋ7,727
-50.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$311R$1,543
$798āļŋ25.7K
-61.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$223R$1,109
$498āļŋ16.1K
-55.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,669R$8,293
$1,995āļŋ64.3K
-16.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,320R$6,558
$1,532āļŋ49.4K
-13.85%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Ilheus
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$628āļŋ20.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.92
5
118.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ilheus: April 20, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $170 in Ilheus 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.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $27 in Ilheus versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story â $199 in Ilheus vs $244 in Chiang Mai â so Ilheus 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
Ilheus vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ilheus or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 21% more than Ilheus, 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 Ilheus vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,050 per month in Ilheus and $1,267 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Ilheus or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Ilheus, 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 Ilheus and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $270 per month in Ilheus 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 Ilheus or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 23% 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 $1,200/month in Ilheus or Chiang Mai?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $700 in Ilheus and $845 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Ilheus or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Ilheus costs $700 versus $845 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Ilheus 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 Ilheus or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Ilheus. 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.