ðA single person spends $607 per month in Kampong Thom vs $845 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $960 per month in Kampong Thom vs $1,323 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,312 per month in Kampong Thom vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðKampong Thom is about 28% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
ðBoth Kampong Thom and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median â Kampong Thom55% lower, Chiang Mai37% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Kampong Thom
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.87á19.4K
$1.95āļŋ63.2
149.74%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$29.52á117.8K
$18.43āļŋ597
60.17%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.86á27.4K
$7.50āļŋ243
-8.53%
Cappuccino
$2.54á10.1K
$1.93āļŋ62.6
31.61%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.00á3,978
$0.78āļŋ25.22
28.21%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.99á3,969
$0.32āļŋ10.48
209.37%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.48á5,898
$2.15āļŋ69.6
-31.16%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.46á9,814
$3.71āļŋ120
-33.69%
ð Groceries & Markets
Kampong Thom
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.14á8,529
$1.71āļŋ55.5
25.15%
White Bread(500g)
$1.47á5,866
$1.56āļŋ50.6
-5.77%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.97á3,883
$1.18āļŋ38.27
-17.80%
Eggs
$1.75á6,989
$1.98āļŋ64.2
-11.62%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.78á51.0K
$16.04āļŋ520
-20.32%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.00á16.0K
$3.17āļŋ103
26.18%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.27á41.0K
$10.94āļŋ355
-6.12%
Apples(1kg)
$4.40á17.5K
$2.63āļŋ85.1
67.30%
Banana(1kg)
$1.53á6,123
$1.17āļŋ37.82
30.77%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.78á15.1K
$1.65āļŋ53.3
129.09%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.47á5,874
$1.54āļŋ49.78
-4.55%
Potato(1kg)
$1.69á6,734
$1.38āļŋ44.59
22.46%
Onion(1kg)
$1.20á4,808
$1.17āļŋ37.75
2.56%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.45á5,779
$0.66āļŋ21.37
119.70%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.68á2,694
$0.51āļŋ16.64
33.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.02á8,078
$4.52āļŋ146
-55.31%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.86á47.3K
$18.32āļŋ594
-35.26%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.04á4,155
$1.80āļŋ58.2
-42.22%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.68á6,690
$3.18āļŋ103
-47.17%
ð Getting Around
Kampong Thom
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.90āļŋ29.13
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$19.00āļŋ616
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.06á4,244
$1.41āļŋ45.76
-24.82%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.99á3,948
$1.31āļŋ42.39
-24.43%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.44á17.7K
$8.09āļŋ262
-45.12%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.17á4,682
$1.28āļŋ41.31
-8.59%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$49.2Ká196.5M
$21.3Kāļŋ689.9K
131.23%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.5Ká145.7M
$21.7Kāļŋ703.2K
68.25%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kampong Thom
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$106á423.6K
$69.2āļŋ2,242
53.38%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.43á25.7K
$13.97āļŋ453
-53.97%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.32á93.1K
$17.95āļŋ582
29.92%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Kampong Thom
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$42.31āļŋ1,371
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.66āļŋ216
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.60á18.4K
$5.92āļŋ192
-22.30%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Kampong Thom
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$379á1.5M
$299āļŋ9,694
26.71%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.3Ká44.9M
$14.8Kāļŋ481.1K
-24.24%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Kampong Thom
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$22.51á89.8K
$56.2āļŋ1,820
-59.94%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$22.46á89.6K
$26.94āļŋ873
-16.63%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.0á355.0K
$84.9āļŋ2,750
4.82%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$72.9á291.0K
$71.8āļŋ2,327
1.52%
ð Accommodation & Living
Kampong Thom
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$435āļŋ14.1K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$240āļŋ7,771
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$798āļŋ25.8K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$498āļŋ16.1K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$1,995āļŋ64.6K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,532āļŋ49.6K
-
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Kampong Thom
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$628āļŋ20.4K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.3
5
106.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kampong Thom: April 22, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $0 in Kampong Thom 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.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $30 in Kampong Thom versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story â $243 in Kampong Thom vs $244 in Chiang Mai â so Kampong Thom 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
Kampong Thom vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Kampong Thom or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 39% more than Kampong Thom, 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 Kampong Thom vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $910 per month in Kampong Thom and $1,267 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
How do dining costs compare in Kampong Thom vs Chiang Mai?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $30.00 in Kampong Thom 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 Kampong Thom or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 0% 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 Kampong Thom or Chiang Mai?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $607 in Kampong Thom and $845 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Kampong Thom or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Kampong Thom costs $607 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 Kampong Thom 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 Kampong Thom or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Kampong Thom. 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.
Kampong Thom vs other spots: cost of living compared