ðA single person spends $974 per month in Indiga vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,478 per month in Indiga vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,982 per month in Indiga vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðIndiga costs about 14% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðBoth Indiga and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median â Indiga27% lower, Chiang Mai36% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Indiga
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.53â―716
$1.96āļŋ63.6
386.22%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.17â―2,867
$18.81āļŋ611
102.92%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.86â―440
$7.92āļŋ258
-26.01%
Cappuccino
$2.31â―173
$1.91āļŋ62.2
20.94%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.11â―83.4
$0.84āļŋ27.25
32.14%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48â―35.99
$0.35āļŋ11.44
37.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.36â―102
$2.21āļŋ71.7
-38.46%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47â―185
$3.80āļŋ124
-35.00%
ð Groceries & Markets
Indiga
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.15â―86.7
$1.64āļŋ53.2
-29.88%
White Bread(500g)
$0.67â―50.1
$1.62āļŋ52.8
-58.64%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38â―104
$1.18āļŋ38.40
16.95%
Eggs
$1.76â―133
$2.01āļŋ65.4
-12.44%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.80â―811
$15.89āļŋ517
-32.03%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.99â―375
$3.01āļŋ98.0
65.78%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.66â―651
$10.77āļŋ350
-19.59%
Apples(1kg)
$1.72â―130
$2.61āļŋ85.0
-34.10%
Banana(1kg)
$1.86â―140
$1.22āļŋ39.65
52.46%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.92â―144
$1.70āļŋ55.4
12.94%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.80â―211
$1.58āļŋ51.2
77.22%
Potato(1kg)
$0.86â―64.4
$1.32āļŋ42.89
-34.85%
Onion(1kg)
$0.71â―53.5
$1.17āļŋ38.01
-39.32%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.39â―105
$0.67āļŋ21.85
107.46%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66â―49.63
$0.56āļŋ18.21
17.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.89â―217
$4.53āļŋ147
-36.20%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.47â―636
$18.20āļŋ592
-53.46%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.02â―76.7
$1.83āļŋ59.6
-44.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.93â―145
$3.23āļŋ105
-40.25%
ð Getting Around
Indiga
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.53â―40.12
$0.89āļŋ28.83
-40.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$19.38āļŋ630
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.94â―146
$1.35āļŋ43.95
43.70%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.33â―24.42
$1.35āļŋ43.79
-75.56%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.53â―491
$8.25āļŋ268
-20.85%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.78â―58.5
$1.27āļŋ41.40
-38.58%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.8Kâ―2.6M
$21.2Kāļŋ687.8K
64.58%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.5Kâ―2.7M
$22.5Kāļŋ731.0K
58.03%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Indiga
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$108â―8,131
$70.2āļŋ2,281
54.27%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.89â―442
$13.77āļŋ448
-57.23%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.72â―580
$17.60āļŋ572
-56.14%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Indiga
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$35.71â―2,683
$41.57āļŋ1,352
-14.10%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.60āļŋ215
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.97â―373
$5.78āļŋ188
-14.01%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Indiga
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$327â―24.6K
$306āļŋ9,953
6.76%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,903â―518.6K
$14.8Kāļŋ482.0K
-53.44%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Indiga
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.3â―5,280
$54.4āļŋ1,768
29.26%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.29â―3,327
$26.14āļŋ850
69.43%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$116â―8,738
$84.5āļŋ2,748
37.58%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108â―8,095
$69.4āļŋ2,257
55.18%
ð Accommodation & Living
Indiga
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$438â―32.9K
$424āļŋ13.8K
3.38%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$300â―22.6K
$238āļŋ7,743
26.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$760â―57.1K
$825āļŋ26.8K
-7.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$503â―37.8K
$515āļŋ16.7K
-2.44%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,215â―166.4K
$2,049āļŋ66.6K
8.09%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,695â―127.4K
$1,523āļŋ49.5K
11.32%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Indiga
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$635āļŋ20.6K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
15.33
5
206.60%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Indiga: April 27, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $438 in Indiga versus $424 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 $38.00 in Indiga versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story â $199 in Indiga vs $243 in Chiang Mai â so Indiga wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated December 2025)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Indiga vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Indiga or Chiang Mai?
Indiga costs about 14% 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 Indiga vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,461 per month in Indiga and $1,278 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Indiga 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 dining costs compare in Indiga vs Chiang Mai?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $38.00 in Indiga and $19.00 in Chiang Mai. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and cafÃĐ pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Indiga or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 22% cheaper in Indiga â 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 Indiga or Chiang Mai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $974 in Indiga and $852 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Indiga or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $974 in Indiga. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Indiga 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 Indiga or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Indiga makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.