ðA single person spends $1,510 per month in Lugo vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $2,245 per month in Lugo vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $2,980 per month in Lugo vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðLugo costs about 77% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðLugo sits 13% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 36% below â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Lugo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.78âŽ11.79
$1.96āļŋ64.0
603.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.9âŽ46.15
$18.81āļŋ615
186.66%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.30âŽ8.82
$7.92āļŋ259
30.05%
Cappuccino
$1.97âŽ1.69
$1.91āļŋ62.6
3.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64âŽ2.26
$0.84āļŋ27.41
214.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.18âŽ1.01
$0.35āļŋ11.51
237.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.92âŽ2.50
$2.21āļŋ72.1
32.13%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25âŽ1.92
$3.80āļŋ124
-40.79%
ð Groceries & Markets
Lugo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.15âŽ0.98
$1.64āļŋ53.5
-29.88%
White Bread(500g)
$1.20âŽ1.03
$1.62āļŋ53.1
-25.93%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.61âŽ1.38
$1.18āļŋ38.62
36.44%
Eggs
$2.75âŽ2.35
$2.01āļŋ65.8
36.82%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.01âŽ11.99
$15.89āļŋ520
-11.83%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.45âŽ5.52
$3.01āļŋ98.5
114.29%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$22.68âŽ19.41
$10.77āļŋ352
110.58%
Apples(1kg)
$1.83âŽ1.57
$2.61āļŋ85.5
-29.89%
Banana(1kg)
$2.14âŽ1.83
$1.22āļŋ39.88
75.41%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.99âŽ2.56
$1.70āļŋ55.7
75.88%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.68âŽ4.00
$1.58āļŋ51.5
196.20%
Potato(1kg)
$1.13âŽ0.96
$1.32āļŋ43.14
-14.39%
Onion(1kg)
$2.72âŽ2.33
$1.17āļŋ38.23
132.48%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.13âŽ0.97
$0.67āļŋ21.98
68.66%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.89âŽ0.76
$0.56āļŋ18.32
58.93%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.99âŽ5.13
$4.53āļŋ148
32.23%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.65âŽ3.98
$18.20āļŋ595
-74.45%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.97âŽ1.69
$1.83āļŋ60.0
7.65%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.89âŽ2.47
$3.23āļŋ106
-10.53%
ð Getting Around
Lugo
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.77âŽ0.66
$0.89āļŋ29.00
-13.48%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$22.75âŽ19.47
$19.38āļŋ634
17.39%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.31âŽ4.55
$1.35āļŋ44.20
293.33%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.02âŽ0.88
$1.35āļŋ44.05
-24.44%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$24.59âŽ21.05
$8.25āļŋ270
198.06%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.78âŽ1.53
$1.27āļŋ41.64
40.16%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.9KâŽ26.5K
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
46.25%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.0KâŽ27.4K
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
42.37%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lugo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$142âŽ122
$70.2āļŋ2,294
102.48%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.34âŽ18.27
$13.77āļŋ450
54.97%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.40âŽ28.59
$17.60āļŋ575
89.77%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Lugo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.83âŽ40.94
$41.57āļŋ1,360
15.06%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.42âŽ9.78
$6.60āļŋ216
73.03%
Cinema Ticket
$10.08âŽ8.63
$5.78āļŋ189
74.39%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Lugo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$361âŽ309
$306āļŋ10.0K
17.96%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,318âŽ7,120
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
-43.89%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Lugo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$76.5âŽ65.5
$54.4āļŋ1,778
40.72%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.04âŽ27.43
$26.14āļŋ855
22.57%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$87.8âŽ75.2
$84.5āļŋ2,764
3.88%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$143âŽ122
$69.4āļŋ2,270
105.80%
ð Accommodation & Living
Lugo
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$841âŽ720
$424āļŋ13.9K
98.52%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$581âŽ497
$238āļŋ7,788
143.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$504âŽ432
$825āļŋ27.0K
-38.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$826âŽ707
$515āļŋ16.8K
60.33%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,822âŽ2,416
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
37.71%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,253âŽ1,928
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
47.92%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Lugo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,773âŽ1,518
$635āļŋ20.8K
179.13%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.5
5
-30.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lugo: April 27, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $841 in Lugo 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 179% higher in Lugo, 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 $54.0 in Lugo versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $290 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
Lugo vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Lugo or Chiang Mai?
Lugo costs about 77% 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 Lugo vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,265 per month in Lugo 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, Lugo 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 Lugo and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $361 per month in Lugo 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 Lugo or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 19% more in Lugo, 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 Lugo or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Lugo at $1,510. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Lugo it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Lugo or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $1,510 in Lugo. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Lugo 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 Lugo or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Lugo makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.