ðA single person spends $2,128 per month in Kefar Sava vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $3,237 per month in Kefar Sava vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $4,346 per month in Kefar Sava vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðKefar Sava costs about 150% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðKefar Sava sits 59% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 36% below â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Kefar Sava
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$22.94âŠ68.4
$1.96āļŋ64.0
1070.41%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.6âŠ186
$18.81āļŋ615
232.54%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$15.61âŠ46.53
$7.92āļŋ259
97.10%
Cappuccino
$3.89âŠ11.60
$1.91āļŋ62.6
103.66%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.56âŠ7.62
$0.84āļŋ27.41
204.76%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09âŠ6.23
$0.35āļŋ11.51
497.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$9.38âŠ27.96
$2.21āļŋ72.1
324.43%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.69âŠ22.92
$3.80āļŋ124
102.37%
ð Groceries & Markets
Kefar Sava
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.67âŠ4.97
$1.64āļŋ53.5
1.83%
White Bread(500g)
$1.79âŠ5.33
$1.62āļŋ53.1
10.49%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.53âŠ7.53
$1.18āļŋ38.62
114.41%
Eggs
$3.71âŠ11.05
$2.01āļŋ65.8
84.58%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.68âŠ28.84
$15.89āļŋ520
-39.08%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.69âŠ28.86
$3.01āļŋ98.5
221.93%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.69âŠ43.79
$10.77āļŋ352
36.40%
Apples(1kg)
$3.09âŠ9.20
$2.61āļŋ85.5
18.39%
Banana(1kg)
$2.45âŠ7.31
$1.22āļŋ39.88
100.82%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.09âŠ6.23
$1.70āļŋ55.7
22.94%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.92âŠ5.71
$1.58āļŋ51.5
21.52%
Potato(1kg)
$1.36âŠ4.04
$1.32āļŋ43.14
3.03%
Onion(1kg)
$1.60âŠ4.77
$1.17āļŋ38.23
36.75%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.79âŠ5.34
$0.67āļŋ21.98
167.16%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.91âŠ2.71
$0.56āļŋ18.32
62.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$10.52âŠ31.34
$4.53āļŋ148
132.23%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.69âŠ40.80
$18.20āļŋ595
-24.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.66âŠ7.93
$1.83āļŋ60.0
45.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00âŠ8.93
$3.23āļŋ106
-7.12%
ð Getting Around
Kefar Sava
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.67âŠ4.99
$0.89āļŋ29.00
87.64%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.62âŠ139
$19.38āļŋ634
140.56%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.98âŠ11.85
$1.35āļŋ44.20
194.81%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.91âŠ2.70
$1.35āļŋ44.05
-32.59%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$32.48âŠ96.8
$8.25āļŋ270
293.70%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.06âŠ6.12
$1.27āļŋ41.64
62.20%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$40.2KâŠ119.8K
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
89.97%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$43.0KâŠ128.2K
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
91.26%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kefar Sava
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$314âŠ935
$70.2āļŋ2,294
347.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.92âŠ35.53
$13.77āļŋ450
-13.44%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.43âŠ87.7
$17.60āļŋ575
67.22%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Kefar Sava
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$65.9âŠ196
$41.57āļŋ1,360
58.43%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.56âŠ73.2
$6.60āļŋ216
272.12%
Cinema Ticket
$12.53âŠ37.34
$5.78āļŋ189
116.78%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Kefar Sava
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,035âŠ3,085
$306āļŋ10.0K
238.10%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.9KâŠ35.6K
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
-19.48%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Kefar Sava
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.0âŠ170
$54.4āļŋ1,778
4.75%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.79âŠ142
$26.14āļŋ855
82.82%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$134âŠ401
$84.5āļŋ2,764
59.03%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$91.1âŠ271
$69.4āļŋ2,270
31.21%
ð Accommodation & Living
Kefar Sava
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$938âŠ2,796
$424āļŋ13.9K
121.45%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$846âŠ2,522
$238āļŋ7,788
255.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,799âŠ5,361
$825āļŋ27.0K
118.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,603âŠ4,777
$515āļŋ16.8K
211.14%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$9,056âŠ27.0K
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
341.87%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$7,915âŠ23.6K
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
419.74%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Kefar Sava
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$5,131âŠ15.3K
$635āļŋ20.8K
707.85%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.5
5
30.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kefar Sava: April 26, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $938 in Kefar Sava 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 708% higher in Kefar Sava, 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 $63.0 in Kefar Sava versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $301 vs $243 â 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
Kefar Sava vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Kefar Sava or Chiang Mai?
Kefar Sava costs about 150% 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 Kefar Sava vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,191 per month in Kefar Sava 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, Kefar Sava 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 Kefar Sava and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $1,035 per month in Kefar Sava 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 Kefar Sava or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 24% more in Kefar Sava, 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 Kefar Sava or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Kefar Sava at $2,128. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Kefar Sava it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Kefar Sava or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $2,128 in Kefar Sava. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Kefar Sava 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 Kefar Sava or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Kefar Sava makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Kefar Sava vs other spots: cost of living compared