ðA single person spends $362 per month in Kakinada vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $580 per month in Kakinada vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $798 per month in Kakinada vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðKakinada is about 58% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Kakinada and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median â Kakinada73% lower, Chiang Mai36% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Kakinada
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.79âđ169
$1.96āļŋ63.6
-8.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.77âđ1,114
$18.81āļŋ611
-37.43%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.26âđ403
$7.92āļŋ258
-46.21%
Cappuccino
$3.91âđ370
$1.91āļŋ62.2
104.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45âđ43.00
$0.84āļŋ27.25
-46.43%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.14âđ12.93
$0.35āļŋ11.44
-60.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.43âđ136
$2.21āļŋ71.7
-35.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.31âđ218
$3.80āļŋ124
-39.21%
ð Groceries & Markets
Kakinada
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.62âđ58.6
$1.64āļŋ53.2
-62.20%
White Bread(500g)
$0.56âđ53.2
$1.62āļŋ52.8
-65.43%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.60âđ56.4
$1.18āļŋ38.40
-49.15%
Eggs
$0.86âđ81.3
$2.01āļŋ65.4
-57.21%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.46âđ422
$15.89āļŋ517
-71.93%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.85âđ270
$3.01āļŋ98.0
-5.32%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$10.77āļŋ350
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.18âđ206
$2.61āļŋ85.0
-16.48%
Banana(1kg)
$0.87âđ82.5
$1.22āļŋ39.65
-28.69%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.95âđ89.5
$1.70āļŋ55.4
-44.12%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.48âđ45.52
$1.58āļŋ51.2
-69.62%
Potato(1kg)
$0.37âđ35.08
$1.32āļŋ42.89
-71.97%
Onion(1kg)
$0.39âđ36.65
$1.17āļŋ38.01
-66.67%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.65âđ61.4
$0.67āļŋ21.85
-2.99%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.37âđ34.71
$0.56āļŋ18.21
-33.93%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.03âđ381
$4.53āļŋ147
-11.04%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.19âđ585
$18.20āļŋ592
-65.99%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.53âđ240
$1.83āļŋ59.6
38.25%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.26âđ309
$3.23āļŋ105
0.93%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
$4.38âđ415
-
-
ð Getting Around
Kakinada
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.33âđ31.62
$0.89āļŋ28.83
-62.92%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.82âđ835
$19.38āļŋ630
-54.49%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.36âđ129
$1.35āļŋ43.95
0.74%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.23âđ21.77
$1.35āļŋ43.79
-82.96%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.31âđ219
$8.25āļŋ268
-72.00%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.22âđ115
$1.27āļŋ41.40
-3.94%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.3Kâđ1.6M
$21.2Kāļŋ687.8K
-18.29%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.2Kâđ2.2M
$22.5Kāļŋ731.0K
3.07%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kakinada
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$27.55âđ2,606
$70.2āļŋ2,281
-60.73%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.68âđ253
$13.77āļŋ448
-80.54%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$5.67âđ536
$17.60āļŋ572
-67.78%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Kakinada
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$16.22âđ1,535
$41.57āļŋ1,352
-60.98%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.18âđ680
$6.60āļŋ215
8.79%
Cinema Ticket
$2.29âđ216
$5.78āļŋ188
-60.38%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Kakinada
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$30.80âđ2,914
$306āļŋ9,953
-89.94%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,347âđ127.4K
$14.8Kāļŋ482.0K
-90.92%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Kakinada
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$10.53âđ996
$54.4āļŋ1,768
-80.63%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$8.73âđ826
$26.14āļŋ850
-66.60%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$17.58âđ1,664
$84.5āļŋ2,748
-79.21%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$14.59âđ1,381
$69.4āļŋ2,257
-78.99%
ð Accommodation & Living
Kakinada
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$77.7âđ7,356
$424āļŋ13.8K
-81.65%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$77.4âđ7,319
$238āļŋ7,743
-67.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$187âđ17.7K
$825āļŋ26.8K
-77.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$183âđ17.3K
$515āļŋ16.7K
-64.54%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,049āļŋ66.6K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,523āļŋ49.5K
-
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Kakinada
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$536âđ50.8K
$635āļŋ20.6K
-15.54%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9
5
80.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kakinada: April 27, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $77.7 in Kakinada versus $424 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.
ð°Salaries run about 18% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $12.00 in Kakinada versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $108 vs $243 â making Kakinada 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
Kakinada vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Kakinada or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 135% more than Kakinada, 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 Kakinada vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $543 per month in Kakinada and $1,278 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Kakinada or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kakinada, 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 Kakinada and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $30.80 per month in Kakinada and $306 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 Kakinada or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 125% 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 $800/month in Kakinada or Chiang Mai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $362 in Kakinada and $852 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Kakinada or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Kakinada costs $362 versus $852 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Kakinada 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 â central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Kakinada or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Kakinada. 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.