Cost of Living Comparison Between Luang Prabang and Chiang Mai Cost of Living Comparison Between Luang Prabang and Chiang Mai

😐 Solo nomad: Luang Prabang is 24.3% more expensive than Chiang Mai without rent, and 77.4% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Luang Prabang is 5.4% more expensive than Chiang Mai without rent, and 72.7% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Luang Prabang
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.9 LAK 40.8K
$2.02 ฿65.3
-5.94%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$17.95 LAK 385.2K
$18.78 ฿608
-4.42%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.43 LAK 116.6K
$7.67 ฿248
-29.20%
Cappuccino
$1.63 LAK 35K
$1.98 ฿64.2
-17.68%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.88 LAK 19K
$0.82 ฿26.64
7.32%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.6 LAK 12.8K
$0.33 ฿10.58
81.82%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.37 LAK 29.3K
$2.12 ฿68.6
-35.38%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.15 LAK 24.7K
$3.73 ฿121
-69.17%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Luang Prabang
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.76 LAK 37.7K
$1.64 ฿53.2
7.32%
White Bread (500g)
$1.12 LAK 24K
$1.57 ฿50.9
-28.66%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.24 LAK 48.1K
$1.19 ฿38.62
88.24%
Eggs
$2.44 LAK 52.5K
$1.98 ฿64.1
23.23%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$25.82 LAK 554.2K
$15.99 ฿517
61.48%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.6 LAK 55.8K
$3.12 ฿101
-16.67%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.49 LAK 96.3K
$11.16 ฿361
-59.77%
Apples (1kg)
$1.36 LAK 29.1K
$2.76 ฿89.2
-50.72%
Banana (1kg)
$2.22 LAK 47.7K
$1.22 ฿39.5
81.97%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.21 LAK 47.5K
$1.71 ฿55.4
29.24%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.44 LAK 95.2K
$1.55 ฿50.2
186.45%
Potato (1kg)
$1.44 LAK 30.9K
$1.34 ฿43.21
7.46%
Onion (1kg)
$0.95 LAK 20.4K
$1.21 ฿39.23
-21.49%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.05 LAK 22.5K
$0.72 ฿23.2
45.83%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.76 LAK 16.3K
$0.53 ฿17.05
43.40%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.97 LAK 42.3K
$4.72 ฿153
-58.26%
Wine (Bottle)
$29.5 LAK 633.1K
$18.39 ฿595
60.41%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.21 LAK 26K
$1.79 ฿57.9
-32.40%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.88 LAK 18.8K
$3.21 ฿104
-72.59%
🚌 Getting Around
Luang Prabang
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.62 LAK 13.3K
$0.94 ฿30.44
-34.04%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$58.8 LAK 1.3M
$18.9 ฿612
211.16%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.9 LAK 19.3K
$1.42 ฿46.08
-36.62%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.17 LAK 25.1K
$1.35 ฿43.53
-13.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.58 LAK 98.2K
$7.85 ฿254
-41.66%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.15 LAK 24.7K
$1.25 ฿40.4
-8.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.2K LAK 627.7M
$21.2K ฿684.9K
38.21%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.7K LAK 637.3M
$21.8K ฿706.8K
35.96%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Luang Prabang
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$86 LAK 1.8M
$70.6 ฿2,285
21.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.37 LAK 115.2K
$13.72 ฿444
-60.86%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.01 LAK 150.4K
$17.56 ฿568
-60.08%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Luang Prabang
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$84 LAK 1.8M
$41.64 ฿1,347
101.63%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.94 LAK 170.3K
$6.9 ฿223
15.07%
Cinema Ticket
$2.47 LAK 53K
$5.8 ฿188
-57.41%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Luang Prabang
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$254 LAK 5.4M
$308 ฿9,963
-17.55%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,278 LAK 199.1M
$14.7K ฿475.8K
-36.90%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Luang Prabang
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$72.4 LAK 1.6M
$55.4 ฿1,793
30.76%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$60.7 LAK 1.3M
$26.4 ฿854
130.00%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$74.6 LAK 1.6M
$85.1 ฿2,755
-12.37%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$53.8 LAK 1.2M
$71.8 ฿2,323
-25.05%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Luang Prabang
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,145 LAK 24.6M
$434 ฿14K
163.61%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$838 LAK 18M
$235 ฿7,610
256.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,929 LAK 41.4M
$821 ฿26.6K
134.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,672 LAK 35.9M
$498 ฿16.1K
235.52%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,606 LAK 55.9M
$2,180 ฿70.6K
19.55%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$144 LAK 3.1M
$1,543 ฿49.9K
-90.69%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Luang Prabang
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$199 LAK 4.3M
$703 ฿22.8K
-71.67%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.12
5
102.40%

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

Last update for Luang Prabang: October 29, 2025

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 29, 2025

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