Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Long Island, NY and Chiang Mai

For one person, living is cheaper in Chiang Mai: $936 a month against $4,225 in Long Island, NY, rent and utilities included – about $39,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Long Island, NY, United States
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Long Island, NY
🇺🇸 United States
$4,225
/mo nomad
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$936
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Long Island, NY and in Chiang Mai

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Long Island, NY and in Chiang Mai actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $4,225 per month in Long Island, NY vs $936 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Long Island, NY $4,225
  • Chiang Mai $936

A couple spends around $5,930 per month in Long Island, NY vs $1,457 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Long Island, NY $5,930
  • Chiang Mai $1,457

A family of three spends $7,634 per month in Long Island, NY vs $1,979 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Long Island, NY $7,634
  • Chiang Mai $1,979

Long Island, NY costs about 352% more than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Long Island, NY sits 210% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 31% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Long Island, NY
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$25.14 $25.14
$2.24 ฿75.6
1022.32%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$98.5 $98.5
$19.00 ฿641
418.53%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.99 $10.99
$5.55 ฿187
98.02%
Cappuccino
$5.08 $5.08
$1.67 ฿56.5
204.19%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.14 $2.14
$0.64 ฿21.54
234.38%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58 $1.58
$0.31 ฿10.31
409.68%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.02 $8.02
$2.36 ฿79.5
239.83%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.91 $7.91
$3.66 ฿124
116.12%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Long Island, NY
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.32 $1.32
$1.95 ฿65.7
-32.31%
White Bread (500g)
$4.26 $4.26
$1.44 ฿48.46
195.83%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.94 $1.94
$1.33 ฿45.03
45.86%
Eggs
$5.26 $5.26
$2.28 ฿77.1
130.70%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.21 $7.21
$16.45 ฿555
-56.17%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.89 $11.89
$2.78 ฿93.9
327.70%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.22 $16.22
$9.31 ฿314
74.22%
Apples (1kg)
$4.27 $4.27
$2.35 ฿79.4
81.70%
Banana (1kg)
$1.20 $1.20
$0.97 ฿32.79
23.71%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.07 $2.07
$1.60 ฿53.9
29.37%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.16 $6.16
$1.50 ฿50.6
310.67%
Potato (1kg)
$1.07 $1.07
$1.28 ฿43.11
-16.41%
Onion (1kg)
$2.18 $2.18
$1.10 ฿37.18
98.18%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.48 $1.48
$0.71 ฿23.82
108.45%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.85 $2.85
$0.49 ฿16.36
481.63%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.85 $11.85
$4.14 ฿140
186.23%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.58 $17.58
$17.52 ฿591
0.34%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76 $1.76
$1.61 ฿54.5
9.32%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.09 $4.09
$2.78 ฿93.9
47.12%
🚌 Getting Around
Long Island, NY
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.97 $2.97
$0.87 ฿29.30
241.38%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$130 $130
$54.1 ฿1,825
139.53%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.99 $2.99
$1.16 ฿39.04
157.76%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.00 $2.00
$0.53 ฿17.80
277.36%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$24.41 $24.41
$2.42 ฿81.7
908.68%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.11 $1.11
$1.45 ฿48.88
-23.45%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.5K $27.5K
$21.1K ฿710.5K
30.54%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K $26.3K
$26.9K ฿909.0K
-2.47%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Long Island, NY
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$192 $192
$62.2 ฿2,098
208.46%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$48.26 $48.26
$12.17 ฿411
296.55%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$53.7 $53.7
$20.12 ฿679
167.05%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Long Island, NY
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$31.30 $31.30
$37.31 ฿1,259
-16.11%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$102 $102
$3.77 ฿127
2602.92%
Cinema Ticket
$14.69 $14.69
$6.49 ฿219
126.35%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Long Island, NY
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,444 $2,444
$736 ฿24.8K
232.04%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.5K $23.5K
$14.8K ฿498.2K
59.45%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Long Island, NY
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$40.07 $40.07
$53.4 ฿1,801
-24.92%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.7 $56.7
$24.64 ฿831
130.15%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$76.3 $76.3
$91.5 ฿3,087
-16.60%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$155 $155
$71.9 ฿2,427
116.06%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Long Island, NY
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,189 $3,189
$482 ฿16.3K
561.29%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,820 $2,820
$309 ฿10.4K
812.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$5,670 $5,670
$1,006 ฿33.9K
463.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$4,315 $4,315
$633 ฿21.4K
581.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$5,973 $5,973
$2,363 ฿79.7K
152.74%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$4,241 $4,241
$1,589 ฿53.6K
166.87%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Long Island, NY
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,981 $4,981
$590 ฿19.9K
744.60%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.63
5.57
19.03%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Long Island, NY: October 25, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Long Island, NY
$2.8K
Chiang Mai
$309 89% $2.5K
Groceries & Markets
Long Island, NY
$382
Chiang Mai
$234 38.6% $147
Eating Out
Long Island, NY
$366
Chiang Mai
$78 78.8% $288
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Long Island, NY
$294
Chiang Mai
$94 67.8% $199
Getting Around
Long Island, NY
$154
Chiang Mai
$61 60.3% $93
Clothing & Footwear
Long Island, NY
$148
Chiang Mai
$109 26.5% $39
Sport & Entertainment
Long Island, NY
$61
Chiang Mai
$50 17.1% $10

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $3,189 in Long Island, NY versus $482 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.

Salaries in Long Island, NY are about 8.4 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $99 in Long Island, NY versus $19 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $382 vs $234 – making Chiang Mai the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Long Island, NY
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🕒 Local time
15:08 3:08 PM
03:08 3:08 AM
12 h ahead of Long Island, NY
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
7,804,968
127,240
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

THB, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.896 EUR).

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 USD = 33.74 THB (100 THB = 2.96 USD). 1 EUR = 37.67 THB (100 THB = 2.65 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Long Island, NY Chiang Mai 13,330 km ≈ 17 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Long Island, NY
  • Chiang Mai

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Long Island, NY vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Long Island, NY or Chiang Mai?
Long Island, NY costs about 352% more than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from 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 Long Island, NY and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $6,337 per month in Long Island, NY and $1,403 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Long Island, NY or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Chiang Mai, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $482 there versus $3,189 in Long Island, NY.
How do childcare costs compare in Long Island, NY and in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $2,444 per month in Long Island, NY and $736 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 Long Island, NY or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 63% more in Long Island, NY, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $800/month in Long Island, NY or in Chiang Mai?
$800 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $4,225 in Long Island, NY and $936 in Chiang Mai. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Long Island, NY or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $936 versus $4,225 in Long Island, NY. Both appeal to remote workers, and the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Long Island, NY compared to Chiang Mai?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Should I move to Long Island, NY or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Long Island, NY makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

Long Island, NY vs other spots: cost of living compared

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