๐A single person spends $1,395 per month in Kaลกtela vs $866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $2,164 per month in Kaลกtela vs $1,351 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $2,932 per month in Kaลกtela vs $1,835 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐Kaลกtela costs about 61% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Kaลกtela sits 4% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 35% below โ they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Kaลกtela
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.28โฌ14.00
$1.94เธฟ63.5
739.18%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$80.7โฌ69.4
$18.64เธฟ609
332.73%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.51โฌ8.18
$7.82เธฟ255
21.61%
Cappuccino
$2.81โฌ2.42
$1.95เธฟ63.8
44.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.56โฌ3.06
$0.85เธฟ27.77
318.82%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64โฌ2.27
$0.35เธฟ11.58
654.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.60โฌ3.96
$2.13เธฟ69.6
115.96%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.74โฌ3.22
$3.73เธฟ122
0.27%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Kaลกtela
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38โฌ1.19
$1.71เธฟ56.0
-19.30%
White Bread(500g)
$1.55โฌ1.33
$1.63เธฟ53.2
-4.91%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.03โฌ2.61
$1.14เธฟ37.15
165.79%
Eggs
$3.81โฌ3.27
$1.93เธฟ63.1
97.41%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.59โฌ8.25
$16.21เธฟ530
-40.84%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.76โฌ8.40
$3.12เธฟ102
212.82%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.55โฌ10.80
$10.90เธฟ356
15.14%
Apples(1kg)
$1.69โฌ1.46
$2.75เธฟ90.0
-38.55%
Banana(1kg)
$1.65โฌ1.42
$1.21เธฟ39.52
36.36%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.12โฌ1.82
$1.62เธฟ53.0
30.86%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.36โฌ2.03
$1.59เธฟ51.8
48.43%
Potato(1kg)
$1.51โฌ1.30
$1.40เธฟ45.70
7.86%
Onion(1kg)
$1.45โฌ1.25
$1.17เธฟ38.17
23.93%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.42โฌ1.22
$0.66เธฟ21.60
115.15%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.26โฌ1.08
$0.53เธฟ17.22
137.74%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.74โฌ4.94
$4.69เธฟ153
22.39%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.34โฌ6.31
$18.66เธฟ609
-60.66%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.37โฌ1.18
$1.80เธฟ58.8
-23.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.18โฌ1.01
$3.23เธฟ106
-63.47%
๐ Getting Around
Kaลกtela
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.33โฌ2.00
$0.90เธฟ29.26
158.89%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$37.76โฌ32.48
$19.21เธฟ628
96.56%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.44โฌ2.96
$1.41เธฟ45.91
143.97%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.04โฌ1.76
$1.29เธฟ42.12
58.14%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.29โฌ7.99
$7.84เธฟ256
18.49%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.70โฌ1.47
$1.27เธฟ41.58
33.86%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.5Kโฌ33.1K
$21.3Kเธฟ694.9K
80.85%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.6Kโฌ22.9K
$22.2Kเธฟ725.4K
19.84%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kaลกtela
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$184โฌ158
$69.1เธฟ2,256
165.98%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.06โฌ20.69
$14.08เธฟ460
70.88%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.56โฌ21.99
$18.00เธฟ588
42.00%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Kaลกtela
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$58.6โฌ50.4
$41.06เธฟ1,341
42.69%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.59โฌ12.55
$6.96เธฟ227
109.63%
Cinema Ticket
$9.29โฌ7.99
$5.92เธฟ193
56.93%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Kaลกtela
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$187โฌ161
$299เธฟ9,766
-37.48%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,402โฌ1,206
$15.0Kเธฟ488.3K
-90.62%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Kaลกtela
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$83.5โฌ71.8
$54.7เธฟ1,787
52.56%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.96โฌ24.05
$26.77เธฟ874
4.45%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$107โฌ92.2
$85.0เธฟ2,776
26.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$104โฌ89.4
$70.6เธฟ2,306
47.22%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Kaลกtela
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$481โฌ414
$428เธฟ14.0K
12.39%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$346โฌ298
$237เธฟ7,752
45.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$619โฌ532
$801เธฟ26.2K
-22.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$554โฌ476
$515เธฟ16.8K
7.46%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,420โฌ2,942
$1,975เธฟ64.5K
73.22%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,463โฌ2,118
$1,475เธฟ48.2K
66.96%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Kaลกtela
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$926โฌ797
$617เธฟ20.2K
49.97%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.35
5
-13.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kaลกtela: May 31, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $481 in Kaลกtela versus $428 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.
๐ฐSalaries run about 50% higher in Kaลกtela, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $81.0 in Kaลกtela versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $263 vs $246 โ making Chiang Mai 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
Kaลกtela vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Kaลกtela or Chiang Mai?
Kaลกtela costs about 61% more than Chiang Mai, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. 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 Kaลกtela vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,093 per month in Kaลกtela and $1,300 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Kaลกtela or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Chiang Mai, 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 Kaลกtela and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $187 per month in Kaลกtela and $299 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 Kaลกtela or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 7% more in Kaลกtela, 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 Kaลกtela or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $866, than in Kaลกtela at $1,395. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Kaลกtela it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Kaลกtela or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $866 versus $1,395 in Kaลกtela. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Kaลกtela 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 โ central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Kaลกtela or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Kaลกtela makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.