πA single person spends $160 per month in Inarajan vs $869 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA couple spends around $228 per month in Inarajan vs $1,362 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA family of three spends $295 per month in Inarajan vs $1,855 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πInarajan is about 82% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Inarajan and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median β Inarajan88% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Inarajan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$1.98ΰΈΏ64.3
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$18.80ΰΈΏ612
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.09$12.09
$7.75ΰΈΏ252
56.00%
Cappuccino
$5.83$5.83
$1.92ΰΈΏ62.5
203.65%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.46$1.46
$0.79ΰΈΏ25.79
84.81%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.02$1.02
$0.36ΰΈΏ11.62
183.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.94$5.94
$2.21ΰΈΏ72.1
168.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.10$7.10
$3.66ΰΈΏ119
93.99%
π Groceries & Markets
Inarajan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
-
$1.65ΰΈΏ53.8
-
White Bread(500g)
-
$1.63ΰΈΏ53.2
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
-
$1.19ΰΈΏ38.86
-
Eggs
-
$2.00ΰΈΏ65.1
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$15.98ΰΈΏ520
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$3.03ΰΈΏ98.5
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$10.86ΰΈΏ354
-
Apples(1kg)
-
$2.76ΰΈΏ90.0
-
Banana(1kg)
-
$1.18ΰΈΏ38.42
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$1.64ΰΈΏ53.5
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$1.52ΰΈΏ49.51
-
Potato(1kg)
-
$1.38ΰΈΏ45.10
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$1.19ΰΈΏ38.84
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$0.70ΰΈΏ22.86
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.56ΰΈΏ18.13
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$4.58ΰΈΏ149
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$16.56ΰΈΏ539
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.83ΰΈΏ59.5
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.20ΰΈΏ104
-
π Getting Around
Inarajan
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.88ΰΈΏ28.56
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$18.72ΰΈΏ610
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$1.36ΰΈΏ44.16
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.34ΰΈΏ43.65
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$7.84ΰΈΏ256
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$1.23ΰΈΏ39.92
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$21.6KΰΈΏ704.3K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$22.5KΰΈΏ734.3K
-
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Inarajan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$70.5ΰΈΏ2,298
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$13.68ΰΈΏ445
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$17.45ΰΈΏ568
-
π Sport & Entertainment
Inarajan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$41.33ΰΈΏ1,346
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.96ΰΈΏ227
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$5.77ΰΈΏ188
-
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Inarajan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$307ΰΈΏ10.0K
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$14.6KΰΈΏ475.9K
-
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Inarajan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$55.8ΰΈΏ1,817
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$26.21ΰΈΏ854
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$85.8ΰΈΏ2,793
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$72.2ΰΈΏ2,353
-
π Accommodation & Living
Inarajan
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$430ΰΈΏ14.0K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$239ΰΈΏ7,774
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$817ΰΈΏ26.6K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$511ΰΈΏ16.6K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$1,983ΰΈΏ64.6K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,484ΰΈΏ48.3K
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Inarajan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$619ΰΈΏ20.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
5
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Inarajan: June 8, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: June 7, 2026
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
Inarajan vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Inarajan or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 443% more than Inarajan, 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 Inarajan vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $240 per month in Inarajan and $1,303 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Can you live on $1,200/month in Inarajan or Chiang Mai?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably β all-in costs are $160 in Inarajan and $869 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Inarajan or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Inarajan costs $160 versus $869 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Inarajan 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 Inarajan or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Inarajan. 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.