๐A single person spends $1,626 per month in Isernia vs $872 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $2,389 per month in Isernia vs $1,337 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $3,151 per month in Isernia vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐Isernia costs about 86% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Isernia sits 21% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 35% below โ they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Isernia
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.16โฌ14.60
$2.01เธฟ64.5
753.73%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$55.7โฌ47.44
$18.23เธฟ584
205.76%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.19โฌ6.97
$7.65เธฟ245
7.06%
Cappuccino
$1.40โฌ1.19
$1.92เธฟ61.5
-27.08%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.32โฌ1.98
$0.84เธฟ26.97
176.19%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.17โฌ1.00
$0.36เธฟ11.42
225.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.91โฌ5.03
$2.19เธฟ70.2
169.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.74โฌ4.03
$3.79เธฟ121
25.07%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Isernia
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.39โฌ1.18
$1.64เธฟ52.5
-15.24%
White Bread(500g)
$2.02โฌ1.72
$1.62เธฟ52.0
24.69%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.66โฌ2.27
$1.15เธฟ36.98
131.30%
Eggs
$2.71โฌ2.31
$1.94เธฟ62.2
39.69%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.96โฌ12.73
$15.94เธฟ511
-6.15%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$12.64โฌ10.76
$3.10เธฟ99.5
307.74%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.74โฌ15.10
$11.07เธฟ355
60.25%
Apples(1kg)
$1.54โฌ1.31
$2.71เธฟ86.8
-43.17%
Banana(1kg)
$1.92โฌ1.63
$1.18เธฟ37.80
62.71%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.86โฌ1.58
$1.71เธฟ54.7
8.77%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.23โฌ1.90
$1.61เธฟ51.5
38.51%
Potato(1kg)
$1.48โฌ1.26
$1.39เธฟ44.66
6.47%
Onion(1kg)
$1.86โฌ1.58
$1.15เธฟ36.81
61.74%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.61โฌ1.37
$0.71เธฟ22.83
126.76%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.44โฌ0.37
$0.55เธฟ17.65
-20.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.88โฌ5.01
$4.57เธฟ146
28.67%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.72โฌ6.57
$18.87เธฟ605
-59.09%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70โฌ1.45
$1.82เธฟ58.4
-6.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.62โฌ1.38
$3.21เธฟ103
-49.53%
๐ Getting Around
Isernia
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.79โฌ1.52
$0.88เธฟ28.24
103.41%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$42.74โฌ36.37
$18.89เธฟ606
126.26%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.57โฌ3.04
$1.41เธฟ45.30
153.19%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.14โฌ1.82
$1.30เธฟ41.71
64.62%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$28.51โฌ24.26
$8.20เธฟ263
247.68%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.99โฌ1.69
$1.23เธฟ39.29
61.79%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.8Kโฌ25.3K
$21.2Kเธฟ678.9K
40.61%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.2Kโฌ23.1K
$22.3Kเธฟ715.3K
21.73%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Isernia
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$187โฌ159
$69.9เธฟ2,240
167.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.86โฌ11.80
$14.07เธฟ451
-1.49%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.61โฌ26.90
$17.70เธฟ567
78.59%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Isernia
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$55.7โฌ47.43
$41.41เธฟ1,328
34.58%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.39โฌ19.90
$6.69เธฟ215
249.63%
Cinema Ticket
$8.75โฌ7.45
$5.74เธฟ184
52.44%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Isernia
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$627โฌ533
$299เธฟ9,593
109.48%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,101โฌ3,490
$15.0Kเธฟ481.2K
-72.68%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Isernia
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$66.5โฌ56.6
$54.8เธฟ1,758
21.32%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.36โฌ26.69
$26.35เธฟ845
19.01%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$81.4โฌ69.2
$84.7เธฟ2,714
-3.87%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.2โฌ75.0
$69.7เธฟ2,236
26.41%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Isernia
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$752โฌ640
$427เธฟ13.7K
76.18%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$583โฌ496
$241เธฟ7,718
142.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,233โฌ1,049
$811เธฟ26.0K
52.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$910โฌ774
$498เธฟ16.0K
82.50%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,619โฌ2,228
$2,022เธฟ64.8K
29.47%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,822โฌ1,550
$1,524เธฟ48.9K
19.54%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Isernia
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$639เธฟ20.5K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.93
5
-1.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Isernia: April 13, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $752 in Isernia versus $427 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.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $56 in Isernia versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $302 vs $246 โ making Chiang Mai the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Isernia vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Isernia or Chiang Mai?
Isernia costs about 86% 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 Isernia vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,439 per month in Isernia and $1,308 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Isernia 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 Isernia and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $627 per month in Isernia 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 Isernia or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 23% more in Isernia, 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 $1,000/month in Isernia or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $872, than in Isernia at $1,626. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Isernia it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Isernia or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $872 versus $1,626 in Isernia. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Isernia 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 โ central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Isernia or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Isernia makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.