ðA single person spends $694 per month in Kalush vs $845 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,073 per month in Kalush vs $1,323 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,452 per month in Kalush vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðKalush is about 18% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Kalush and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median â Kalush48% lower, Chiang Mai37% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Kalush
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.14âī315
$1.95āļŋ62.6
266.15%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.01âī1,060
$18.43āļŋ591
30.28%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.63âī248
$7.50āļŋ241
-24.93%
Cappuccino
$1.11âī49.06
$1.93āļŋ62.0
-42.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.60âī26.26
$0.78āļŋ24.98
-23.08%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43âī19.15
$0.32āļŋ10.38
34.37%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.03âī45.28
$2.15āļŋ68.9
-52.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.44âī63.7
$3.71āļŋ119
-61.19%
ð Groceries & Markets
Kalush
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05âī46.38
$1.71āļŋ55.0
-38.60%
White Bread(500g)
$0.61âī26.72
$1.56āļŋ50.1
-60.90%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.27âī56.2
$1.18āļŋ37.91
7.63%
Eggs
$1.63âī71.8
$1.98āļŋ63.6
-17.68%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.39âī370
$16.04āļŋ515
-47.69%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.82âī169
$3.17āļŋ102
20.50%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.41âī283
$10.94āļŋ351
-41.41%
Apples(1kg)
$0.82âī36.40
$2.63āļŋ84.3
-68.82%
Banana(1kg)
$1.47âī64.7
$1.17āļŋ37.45
25.64%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.59âī70.2
$1.65āļŋ52.8
-3.64%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.03âī89.6
$1.54āļŋ49.31
31.82%
Potato(1kg)
$0.65âī28.50
$1.38āļŋ44.16
-52.90%
Onion(1kg)
$0.56âī24.93
$1.17āļŋ37.39
-52.14%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.30âī57.3
$0.66āļŋ21.16
96.97%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49âī21.68
$0.51āļŋ16.48
-3.92%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.51âī111
$4.52āļŋ145
-44.47%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.58âī202
$18.32āļŋ588
-75.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.84âī37.20
$1.80āļŋ57.7
-53.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.28âī56.3
$3.18āļŋ102
-59.75%
ð Getting Around
Kalush
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.35âī15.43
$0.90āļŋ28.85
-61.11%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$19.00āļŋ610
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.83âī80.7
$1.41āļŋ45.32
29.79%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.23âī10.12
$1.31āļŋ41.98
-82.44%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.95âī130
$8.09āļŋ260
-63.54%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.32âī58.4
$1.28āļŋ40.92
3.13%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.2Kâī1.3M
$21.3Kāļŋ683.3K
42.02%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.8Kâī1.1M
$21.7Kāļŋ696.5K
14.47%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kalush
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$85.3âī3,765
$69.2āļŋ2,221
23.25%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.45âī240
$13.97āļŋ448
-60.99%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$6.20âī274
$17.95āļŋ576
-65.46%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Kalush
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$24.53âī1,083
$42.31āļŋ1,358
-42.02%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.72âī429
$6.66āļŋ214
45.95%
Cinema Ticket
$3.80âī168
$5.92āļŋ190
-35.81%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Kalush
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$279âī12.3K
$299āļŋ9,601
-6.86%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,513âī155.0K
$14.8Kāļŋ476.5K
-76.34%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Kalush
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.82âī2,155
$56.2āļŋ1,803
-13.12%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.21âī1,510
$26.94āļŋ864
26.99%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$78.1âī3,447
$84.9āļŋ2,724
-7.98%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$89.5âī3,952
$71.8āļŋ2,305
24.66%
ð Accommodation & Living
Kalush
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$267âī11.8K
$435āļŋ14.0K
-38.70%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$204âī9,008
$240āļŋ7,696
-14.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$442âī19.5K
$798āļŋ25.6K
-44.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$310âī13.7K
$498āļŋ16.0K
-37.73%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,008âī44.5K
$1,995āļŋ64.0K
-49.46%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$770âī34.0K
$1,532āļŋ49.2K
-49.76%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Kalush
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$277âī12.2K
$628āļŋ20.2K
-55.98%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
16.17
5
223.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kalush: April 21, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $267 in Kalush versus $435 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 127% 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 $24 in Kalush versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story â $151 in Kalush vs $244 in Chiang Mai â so Kalush 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
Kalush vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Kalush or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 22% more than Kalush, 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 Kalush vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,041 per month in Kalush and $1,267 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Kalush or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kalush, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Kalush vs Chiang Mai?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $24.00 in Kalush and $18.00 in Chiang Mai. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and cafÃĐ pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Kalush or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 61% 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 Kalush or Chiang Mai?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $694 in Kalush and $845 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Kalush or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Kalush costs $694 versus $845 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Kalush 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 Kalush or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Kalush. 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.