πA single person spends $1,047 per month in Δ°zmit vs $869 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,596 per month in Δ°zmit vs $1,362 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,145 per month in Δ°zmit vs $1,855 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πΔ°zmit costs about 20% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Δ°zmit and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median β Δ°zmit22% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Δ°zmit
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.15βΊ331
$1.98ΰΈΏ64.3
261.11%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$22.03βΊ1,019
$18.80ΰΈΏ612
17.18%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.64βΊ354
$7.75ΰΈΏ252
-1.42%
Cappuccino
$2.77βΊ128
$1.92ΰΈΏ62.5
44.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.25βΊ57.7
$0.79ΰΈΏ25.79
58.23%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51βΊ23.49
$0.36ΰΈΏ11.62
41.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.59βΊ120
$2.21ΰΈΏ72.1
17.19%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28βΊ105
$3.66ΰΈΏ119
-37.70%
π Groceries & Markets
Δ°zmit
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.97βΊ45.09
$1.65ΰΈΏ53.8
-41.21%
White Bread(500g)
$0.36βΊ16.81
$1.63ΰΈΏ53.2
-77.91%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.18βΊ101
$1.19ΰΈΏ38.86
83.19%
Eggs
$1.94βΊ89.7
$2.00ΰΈΏ65.1
-3.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.48βΊ438
$15.98ΰΈΏ520
-40.68%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.00βΊ277
$3.03ΰΈΏ98.5
98.02%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.62βΊ908
$10.86ΰΈΏ354
80.66%
Apples(1kg)
$1.18βΊ54.4
$2.76ΰΈΏ90.0
-57.25%
Banana(1kg)
$2.55βΊ118
$1.18ΰΈΏ38.42
116.10%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.43βΊ66.0
$1.64ΰΈΏ53.5
-12.80%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.70βΊ78.5
$1.52ΰΈΏ49.51
11.84%
Potato(1kg)
$0.95βΊ44.06
$1.38ΰΈΏ45.10
-31.16%
Onion(1kg)
$0.69βΊ31.91
$1.19ΰΈΏ38.84
-42.02%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.93βΊ42.82
$0.70ΰΈΏ22.86
32.86%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53βΊ24.62
$0.56ΰΈΏ18.13
-5.36%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.14βΊ99.1
$4.58ΰΈΏ149
-53.28%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.65βΊ400
$16.56ΰΈΏ539
-47.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.07βΊ95.9
$1.83ΰΈΏ59.5
13.11%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.91βΊ88.4
$3.20ΰΈΏ104
-40.31%
π Getting Around
Δ°zmit
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.63βΊ29.37
$0.88ΰΈΏ28.56
-28.41%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$31.02βΊ1,435
$18.72ΰΈΏ610
65.71%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.99βΊ45.84
$1.36ΰΈΏ44.16
-27.21%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.68βΊ31.44
$1.34ΰΈΏ43.65
-49.25%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.54βΊ349
$7.84ΰΈΏ256
-3.83%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.19βΊ55.2
$1.23ΰΈΏ39.92
-3.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.7KβΊ1.7M
$21.6KΰΈΏ704.3K
65.31%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.5KβΊ1.8M
$22.5KΰΈΏ734.3K
70.64%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Δ°zmit
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$41.31βΊ1,911
$70.5ΰΈΏ2,298
-41.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.67βΊ679
$13.68ΰΈΏ445
7.24%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$12.05βΊ557
$17.45ΰΈΏ568
-30.95%
π Sport & Entertainment
Δ°zmit
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.19βΊ1,998
$41.33ΰΈΏ1,346
4.50%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.96ΰΈΏ227
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.73βΊ172
$5.77ΰΈΏ188
-35.36%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Δ°zmit
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$313βΊ14.5K
$307ΰΈΏ10.0K
1.81%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,846βΊ363.0K
$14.6KΰΈΏ475.9K
-46.30%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Δ°zmit
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.1βΊ2,410
$55.8ΰΈΏ1,817
-6.61%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.79βΊ1,563
$26.21ΰΈΏ854
28.92%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$113βΊ5,238
$85.8ΰΈΏ2,793
32.03%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$90.1βΊ4,167
$72.2ΰΈΏ2,353
24.68%
π Accommodation & Living
Δ°zmit
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$506βΊ23.4K
$430ΰΈΏ14.0K
17.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$392βΊ18.2K
$239ΰΈΏ7,774
64.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$874βΊ40.4K
$817ΰΈΏ26.6K
6.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$710βΊ32.8K
$511ΰΈΏ16.6K
38.98%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,474βΊ68.2K
$1,983ΰΈΏ64.6K
-25.66%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$974βΊ45.1K
$1,484ΰΈΏ48.3K
-34.37%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Δ°zmit
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,202βΊ55.6K
$619ΰΈΏ20.2K
94.25%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
37.5
5
650.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Δ°zmit: June 7, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $506 in Δ°zmit versus $430 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.
π°Salaries run about 94% higher in Δ°zmit, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $22.00 in Δ°zmit versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story β $228 in Δ°zmit vs $241 in Chiang Mai β so Δ°zmit 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
Δ°zmit vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Δ°zmit or Chiang Mai?
Δ°zmit costs about 20% 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 Δ°zmit vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,570 per month in Δ°zmit and $1,303 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Δ°zmit 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 Δ°zmit and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $313 per month in Δ°zmit and $307 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 Δ°zmit or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 6% cheaper in Δ°zmit β 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 Δ°zmit or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $869, than in Δ°zmit at $1,047. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Δ°zmit it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Δ°zmit or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $869 versus $1,047 in Δ°zmit. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Δ°zmit 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 Δ°zmit or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Δ°zmit makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.