🙂A single person spends $942 per month in Jizan vs $947 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,511 per month in Jizan vs $1,411 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,080 per month in Jizan vs $1,874 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂Jizan is about 1% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both Jizan and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Jizan31% lower, Chiang Mai31% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Jizan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.15SAR 19.32
$2.08฿69.2
147.60%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$36.78SAR 138
$19.64฿651
87.27%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.20SAR 27.04
$5.65฿188
27.43%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.69SAR 6.33
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.83SAR 6.86
-
-
Cappuccino
$3.24SAR 12.17
$1.81฿59.9
79.01%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76SAR 2.86
$0.71฿23.66
7.04%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.25SAR 0.93
$0.32฿10.48
-21.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.24฿74.2
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.63฿121
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Jizan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.66SAR 6.22
$1.96฿65.0
-15.31%
White Bread(500g)
$1.01SAR 3.79
$1.50฿49.83
-32.67%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.21SAR 8.31
$1.34฿44.32
64.93%
Eggs
$2.85SAR 10.70
$2.26฿75.1
26.11%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.46SAR 28.03
$16.26฿539
-54.12%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.08SAR 19.06
$2.95฿98.0
72.20%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.46SAR 54.3
$9.94฿330
45.47%
Apples(1kg)
$1.88SAR 7.07
$2.57฿85.3
-26.85%
Banana(1kg)
$1.63SAR 6.12
$1.06฿35.04
53.77%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.11SAR 7.91
$1.61฿53.5
31.06%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.50SAR 5.61
$1.52฿50.4
-1.32%
Potato(1kg)
$1.39SAR 5.23
$1.27฿42.14
9.45%
Onion(1kg)
$1.50SAR 5.64
$1.07฿35.37
40.19%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.27SAR 4.77
$0.72฿23.89
76.39%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.75SAR 2.80
$0.51฿16.87
47.06%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.57SAR 5.88
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.87SAR 7.03
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.61SAR 6.03
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.71SAR 25.19
$4.19฿139
60.14%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$17.87฿593
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.69฿56.2
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.84฿94.1
-
🚌 Getting Around
Jizan
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.07SAR 4.03
$0.93฿30.70
15.05%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$23.22SAR 87.2
$53.9฿1,787
-56.89%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.67SAR 10.03
$1.23฿40.95
117.07%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.38SAR 12.70
$0.58฿19.13
482.76%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$15.75SAR 59.2
$2.42฿80.4
550.83%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.60SAR 2.27
$1.41฿46.84
-57.45%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$43.8KSAR 164.4K
$21.4K฿711.3K
104.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.4KSAR 65.4K
$27.3K฿906.7K
-36.32%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Jizan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$104SAR 389
$63.7฿2,112
62.84%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.80SAR 138
$12.85฿426
186.38%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$63.2SAR 237
$20.22฿671
212.36%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Jizan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$98.2SAR 369
$38.74฿1,285
153.48%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$37.73SAR 142
$3.97฿132
850.38%
Cinema Ticket
$15.86SAR 59.5
$6.74฿223
135.31%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Jizan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$202SAR 757
$778฿25.8K
-74.08%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,078SAR 15.3K
$14.6K฿484.6K
-72.09%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Jizan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$33.03SAR 124
$54.3฿1,801
-39.16%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$54.2SAR 203
$25.45฿844
112.77%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$117SAR 439
$94.3฿3,129
23.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$45.48SAR 171
$73.4฿2,436
-38.07%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Jizan
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$266SAR 998
$490฿16.2K
-45.72%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$135SAR 506
$289฿9,596
-53.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$475SAR 1,785
$894฿29.6K
-46.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$363SAR 1,365
$517฿17.1K
-29.70%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$795SAR 2,984
$1,955฿64.9K
-59.36%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,477฿49.0K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Jizan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,611SAR 6,049
$602฿20.0K
167.56%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
5.57
-10.23%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Jizan: August 30, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $266 in Jizan versus $490 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 168% higher in Jizan, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $37.00 in Jizan versus $20.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $194 in Jizan vs $240 in Chiang Mai – so Jizan 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
Jizan vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Jizan or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 1% more than Jizan, with the gap driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment. 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 Jizan and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,413 per month in Jizan and $1,421 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Jizan or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Jizan, 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 Jizan and in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $202 per month in Jizan and $778 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 Jizan or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 24% 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 $1,000/month in Jizan or in Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Jizan, where all-in costs run around $942, than in Chiang Mai at $947. In Jizan it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Jizan or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Jizan costs $942 versus $947 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Jizan 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 Jizan or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Jizan. 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.