Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Jamestown and Chiang Mai

For one person, living is cheaper in Jamestown: $89.6 a month against $936 in Chiang Mai, rent and utilities included – about $10,200 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Jamestown, Saint Helena
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Jamestown
🇸🇭 Saint Helena
$89.6
/mo nomad
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$936
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Jamestown and in Chiang Mai

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Jamestown and in Chiang Mai actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $90 per month in Jamestown vs $936 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Jamestown $90
  • Chiang Mai $936

A couple spends around $157 per month in Jamestown vs $1,457 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Jamestown $157
  • Chiang Mai $1,457

A family of three spends $224 per month in Jamestown vs $1,979 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Jamestown $224
  • Chiang Mai $1,979

Jamestown is about 90% cheaper than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Jamestown and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Jamestown 93% lower, Chiang Mai 31% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Jamestown
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$2.24 ฿75.5
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$19.00 ฿640
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
-
$5.55 ฿187
-
Cappuccino
-
$1.67 ฿56.4
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.64 ฿21.51
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.31 ฿10.29
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.36 ฿79.5
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.66 ฿123
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Jamestown
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
-
$1.95 ฿65.7
-
White Bread (500g)
$1.91 SHP 1.43
$1.44 ฿48.41
32.64%
Rice (white) (1kg)
-
$1.33 ฿44.97
-
Eggs
$5.46 SHP 4.07
$2.28 ฿77.0
139.47%
Local Cheese (1kg)
-
$16.45 ฿554
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
-
$2.78 ฿93.8
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.74 SHP 8.01
$9.31 ฿314
15.36%
Apples (1kg)
-
$2.35 ฿79.3
-
Banana (1kg)
-
$0.97 ฿32.75
-
Oranges (1kg)
-
$1.60 ฿53.8
-
Tomato (1kg)
-
$1.50 ฿50.6
-
Potato (1kg)
-
$1.28 ฿43.06
-
Onion (1kg)
-
$1.10 ฿37.14
-
Lettuce (1 head)
-
$0.71 ฿23.79
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.37 SHP 1.02
$0.49 ฿16.34
179.59%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.99 SHP 8.94
$4.14 ฿140
189.61%
Wine (Bottle)
-
$17.52 ฿590
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.61 ฿54.4
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.78 ฿93.8
-
🚌 Getting Around
Jamestown
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.87 ฿29.27
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$54.1 ฿1,823
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
-
$1.16 ฿39.00
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$0.53 ฿17.78
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$2.42 ฿81.6
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
-
$1.45 ฿48.82
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$21.1K ฿709.7K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$26.9K ฿907.9K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Jamestown
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
-
$62.2 ฿2,095
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$12.17 ฿410
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$20.12 ฿678
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Jamestown
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$37.31 ฿1,257
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$3.77 ฿127
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$6.49 ฿219
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Jamestown
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$736 ฿24.8K
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$14.8K ฿497.6K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Jamestown
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$53.4 ฿1,799
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$24.64 ฿830
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$91.5 ฿3,083
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$71.9 ฿2,424
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Jamestown
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$482 ฿16.3K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$309 ฿10.4K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,006 ฿33.9K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$633 ฿21.3K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$2,363 ฿79.6K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,589 ฿53.6K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Jamestown
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$590 ฿19.9K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
0
5.57
-

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

Last update for Jamestown: October 26, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Jamestown
–
Chiang Mai
$309
Groceries & Markets
Jamestown
–
Chiang Mai
$234
Clothing & Footwear
Jamestown
–
Chiang Mai
$109
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Jamestown
–
Chiang Mai
$94
Eating Out
Jamestown
–
Chiang Mai
$78
Getting Around
Jamestown
–
Chiang Mai
$61
Sport & Entertainment
Jamestown
–
Chiang Mai
$50
Good to know
🇸🇭 Jamestown
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🕒 Local time
04:53 4:53 AM
11:53 11:53 AM
7 h ahead of Jamestown
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
600 Capital
127,240
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

THB, USD, EUR to SHP – Saint Helena Pound Converter

Saint Helena Pound exchange rates as of November 3, 2026: 1 USD = 0.746 SHP (1 SHP = 1.34 USD). 1 EUR = 0.836 SHP (1 SHP = 1.2 EUR).

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 3, 2026: 1 USD = 33.7 THB (100 THB = 2.97 USD). 1 EUR = 37.77 THB (100 THB = 2.65 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Jamestown Chiang Mai 12,080 km ≈ 16 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Jamestown
  • Chiang Mai

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated March 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Jamestown vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Jamestown or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 944% more than Jamestown, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. 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 Jamestown and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $134 per month in Jamestown and $1,403 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How much does it cost to live in Jamestown compared to Chiang Mai?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $90 in Jamestown and $936 in Chiang Mai. That makes Jamestown about 90% cheaper.
Are groceries more expensive in Jamestown or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 162% more in Chiang Mai, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Jamestown or Chiang Mai?
It depends on your priorities. Chiang Mai has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $90 in Jamestown to $936 in Chiang Mai. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How safe is Jamestown compared to Chiang Mai?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.

Jamestown vs other spots: cost of living compared

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