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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $594 per month in Kairouan vs $932 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $944 per month in Kairouan vs $1,399 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,294 per month in Kairouan vs $1,866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Kairouan is about 36% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Kairouan and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Kairouan 57% lower, Chiang Mai 32% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kairouan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.68 TND 7.76
$2.08 ฿69.5
28.85%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$16.29 TND 47.25
$19.61 ฿655
-16.93%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.01 TND 14.53
$5.67 ฿189
-11.64%
Cappuccino
$0.72 TND 2.08
$1.81 ฿60.3
-60.22%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.60 TND 1.75
$0.77 ฿25.65
-22.08%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.28 TND 0.81
$0.35 ฿11.53
-20.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.65 TND 4.80
$2.21 ฿73.9
-25.34%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03 TND 5.90
$3.79 ฿127
-46.44%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kairouan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.46 TND 1.33
$2.05 ฿68.4
-77.56%
White Bread (500g)
$0.08 TND 0.24
$1.51 ฿50.6
-94.70%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.38 TND 4.02
$1.40 ฿46.69
-1.43%
Eggs
$1.58 TND 4.59
$2.26 ฿75.4
-30.09%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.75 TND 36.99
$16.19 ฿540
-21.25%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.70 TND 16.53
$2.90 ฿96.7
96.55%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.12 TND 35.16
$9.42 ฿314
28.66%
Apples (1kg)
$1.81 TND 5.25
$2.68 ฿89.4
-32.46%
Banana (1kg)
$2.24 TND 6.50
$1.09 ฿36.37
105.50%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.11 TND 3.22
$1.62 ฿54.0
-31.48%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.76 TND 2.21
$1.46 ฿48.74
-47.95%
Potato (1kg)
$0.67 TND 1.94
$1.28 ฿42.65
-47.66%
Onion (1kg)
$0.79 TND 2.28
$1.06 ฿35.31
-25.47%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.56 TND 1.61
$0.72 ฿23.94
-22.22%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.27 TND 0.79
$0.53 ฿17.56
-49.06%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.35 TND 9.71
$4.23 ฿141
-20.80%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.94 TND 20.14
$18.29 ฿611
-62.06%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.15 TND 3.34
$1.63 ฿54.4
-29.45%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.11 TND 3.22
$2.90 ฿96.8
-61.72%
🚌 Getting Around
Kairouan
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.33 TND 0.95
$0.88 ฿29.32
-62.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$10.27 TND 29.78
$53.8 ฿1,795
-80.90%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.32 TND 0.94
$1.17 ฿39.14
-72.65%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.33 TND 0.95
$0.58 ฿19.30
-43.10%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.57 TND 21.94
$2.39 ฿79.6
216.74%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.81 TND 2.35
$1.45 ฿48.41
-44.14%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.6K TND 108.9K
$21.0K ฿701.4K
78.71%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.4K TND 105.5K
$26.4K ฿882.0K
37.67%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kairouan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$46.09 TND 134
$63.7 ฿2,125
-27.59%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.69 TND 28.11
$12.89 ฿430
-24.83%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.15 TND 43.93
$20.52 ฿685
-26.17%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kairouan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$24.20 TND 70.2
$39.02 ฿1,302
-37.98%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.18 TND 41.13
$3.92 ฿131
261.73%
Cinema Ticket
$4.57 TND 13.25
$6.58 ฿220
-30.55%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kairouan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$98.4 TND 285
$784 ฿26.2K
-87.45%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,464 TND 7,148
$14.7K ฿489.8K
-83.20%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kairouan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$24.04 TND 69.7
$55.1 ฿1,840
-56.38%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.01 TND 107
$24.74 ฿826
49.60%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$47.89 TND 139
$94.1 ฿3,142
-49.12%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$68.8 TND 200
$74.0 ฿2,469
-6.95%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kairouan
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$118 TND 343
$490 ฿16.4K
-75.87%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$158 TND 459
$288 ฿9,620
-45.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$371 TND 1,076
$891 ฿29.8K
-58.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$274 TND 794
$521 ฿17.4K
-47.48%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$978 TND 2,836
$1,974 ฿65.9K
-50.46%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$632 TND 1,832
$1,444 ฿48.2K
-56.28%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kairouan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$337 TND 977
$602 ฿20.1K
-44.01%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.6
5.57
144.17%

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

Last update for Kairouan: September 14, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $118 in Kairouan 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 79% 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 $16.00 in Kairouan versus $20.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $182 vs $241 – making Kairouan 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
Kairouan vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Kairouan or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 57% more than Kairouan, 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 Kairouan and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $891 per month in Kairouan and $1,398 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Kairouan or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kairouan, 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 Kairouan and in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $98.4 per month in Kairouan and $784 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 Kairouan or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 32% 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 $2,000/month in Kairouan or in Chiang Mai?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Kairouan, where all-in costs run around $594, than in Chiang Mai at $932. In Kairouan 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, Kairouan or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Kairouan costs $594 versus $932 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Kairouan 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 Kairouan or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Kairouan. 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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