Cost of Living Comparison Between Jambi and Chiang Mai Cost of Living Comparison Between Jambi and Chiang Mai

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $666 per month in Jambi vs $869 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,040 per month in Jambi vs $1,362 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,413 per month in Jambi vs $1,855 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Jambi is about 23% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Jambi and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Jambi 50% lower, Chiang Mai 35% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Jambi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.66 Rp 30.1K
$1.98 ฿65.0
-16.16%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.48 Rp 335.2K
$18.80 ฿619
-1.70%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.47 Rp 63.0K
$7.75 ฿255
-55.23%
Cappuccino
$1.47 Rp 26.7K
$1.92 ฿63.2
-23.44%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.26 Rp 22.8K
$0.79 ฿26.07
59.49%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21 Rp 3,795
$0.36 ฿11.74
-41.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.43 Rp 44.1K
$2.21 ฿72.9
9.95%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50 Rp 45.3K
$3.66 ฿120
-31.69%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Jambi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.19 Rp 21.5K
$1.65 ฿54.4
-27.88%
White Bread (500g)
$1.14 Rp 20.6K
$1.63 ฿53.7
-30.06%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.94 Rp 17.1K
$1.19 ฿39.28
-21.01%
Eggs
$1.57 Rp 28.5K
$2.00 ฿65.8
-21.50%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.90 Rp 143.2K
$15.98 ฿526
-50.56%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.09 Rp 56.0K
$3.03 ฿99.6
1.98%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.11 Rp 147.1K
$10.86 ฿357
-25.32%
Apples (1kg)
$2.34 Rp 42.4K
$2.76 ฿90.9
-15.22%
Banana (1kg)
$1.49 Rp 27.0K
$1.18 ฿38.83
26.27%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.80 Rp 32.7K
$1.64 ฿54.0
9.76%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.51 Rp 27.4K
$1.52 ฿50.0
-0.66%
Potato (1kg)
$1.37 Rp 24.8K
$1.38 ฿45.59
-0.72%
Onion (1kg)
$1.94 Rp 35.2K
$1.19 ฿39.25
63.03%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.91 Rp 16.6K
$0.70 ฿23.11
30.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.42 Rp 7,576
$0.56 ฿18.32
-25.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.47 Rp 44.9K
$4.58 ฿151
-46.07%
Wine (Bottle)
$21.84 Rp 396.0K
$16.56 ฿545
31.88%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.10 Rp 38.1K
$1.83 ฿60.2
14.75%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07 Rp 55.7K
$3.20 ฿105
-4.06%
🚌 Getting Around
Jambi
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.30 Rp 5,414
$0.88 ฿28.87
-65.91%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$9.58 Rp 173.7K
$18.72 ฿616
-48.82%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.53 Rp 9,585
$1.36 ฿44.64
-61.03%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.37 Rp 6,760
$1.34 ฿44.12
-72.39%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.91 Rp 52.7K
$7.84 ฿258
-62.88%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.79 Rp 14.3K
$1.23 ฿40.35
-35.77%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.0K Rp 452.9M
$21.6K ฿711.8K
15.49%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.5K Rp 498.8M
$22.5K ฿742.2K
22.00%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Jambi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$69.6 Rp 1.3M
$70.5 ฿2,322
-1.39%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.19 Rp 76.0K
$13.68 ฿450
-69.37%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.18 Rp 420.4K
$17.45 ฿574
32.84%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Jambi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$17.22 Rp 312.4K
$41.33 ฿1,361
-58.34%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.11 Rp 110.8K
$6.96 ฿229
-12.21%
Cinema Ticket
$2.72 Rp 49.3K
$5.77 ฿190
-52.86%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Jambi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$95.1 Rp 1.7M
$307 ฿10.1K
-69.04%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,698 Rp 139.6M
$14.6K ฿481.0K
-47.31%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Jambi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.73 Rp 756.7K
$55.8 ฿1,837
-25.20%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.43 Rp 551.9K
$26.21 ฿863
16.10%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$67.9 Rp 1.2M
$85.8 ฿2,823
-20.77%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$73.5 Rp 1.3M
$72.2 ฿2,378
1.79%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Jambi
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$263 Rp 4.8M
$430 ฿14.1K
-38.79%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$158 Rp 2.9M
$239 ฿7,857
-33.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$592 Rp 10.7M
$817 ฿26.9K
-27.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$331 Rp 6.0M
$511 ฿16.8K
-35.19%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,178 Rp 21.4M
$1,983 ฿65.3K
-40.58%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$636 Rp 11.5M
$1,484 ฿48.9K
-57.16%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Jambi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$201 Rp 3.6M
$619 ฿20.4K
-67.59%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
9.15
5
83.00%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Jambi: June 9, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $263 in Jambi 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.

Salaries run about 208% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $18.00 in Jambi versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $209 vs $241 – making Jambi 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
Jambi vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Jambi or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 30% more than Jambi, 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 Jambi vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $999 per month in Jambi and $1,303 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Jambi or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Jambi, 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 Jambi and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $95.1 per month in Jambi 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 Jambi or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 15% 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 Jambi or Chiang Mai?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $666 in Jambi and $869 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Jambi or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Jambi costs $666 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 Jambi 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 – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Jambi or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Jambi. 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.

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