Cost of Living Comparison Between Maharagama and Chiang Mai Cost of Living Comparison Between Maharagama and Chiang Mai

Name: Chiang Mai
Address: Chiang Mai, TH

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $132 per month in Maharagama vs $932 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $246 per month in Maharagama vs $1,399 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $360 per month in Maharagama vs $1,866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Maharagama is about 86% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Maharagama and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Maharagama 90% lower, Chiang Mai 32% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.20 LKR 1,719

$2.08 ฿69.3

150.00%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$20.09 LKR 6,642

$19.61 ฿653

2.45%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.02 LKR 2,321

$5.67 ฿189

23.81%

Cappuccino

$2.13 LKR 705

$1.81 ฿60.1

17.68%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.61 LKR 201

$0.77 ฿25.58

-20.78%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.29 LKR 94.3

$0.35 ฿11.49

-17.14%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 ฿73.7

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.79 ฿126

Milk (1 liter)

$0.90 LKR 297

$2.05 ฿68.2

-56.10%

White Bread (500g)

$0.25 LKR 82.7

$1.51 ฿50.4

-83.44%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.51 LKR 168

$1.40 ฿46.57

-63.57%

Eggs

$1.44 LKR 476

$2.26 ฿75.2

-36.28%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.19 ฿539

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.90 ฿96.4

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.42 ฿314

Apples (1kg)

$2.68 ฿89.2

Banana (1kg)

$1.09 ฿36.28

Oranges (1kg)

$1.62 ฿53.8

Tomato (1kg)

$1.46 ฿48.61

Potato (1kg)

$1.28 ฿42.54

Onion (1kg)

$1.06 ฿35.21

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 ฿23.88

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 ฿17.51

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.23 ฿141

Wine (Bottle)

$18.29 ฿609

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.63 ฿54.3

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.90 ฿96.6

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.88 ฿29.24

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$53.8 ฿1,790

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.45 LKR 148

$1.17 ฿39.04

-61.54%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.48 LKR 159

$0.58 ฿19.25

-17.24%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.39 ฿79.4

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.45 ฿48.28

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$21.0K ฿699.5K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.4K ฿879.7K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$63.7 ฿2,119

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$4.69 LKR 1,549

$12.89 ฿429

-63.62%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$13.87 LKR 4,587

$20.52 ฿683

-32.41%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$39.02 ฿1,299

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.92 ฿130

Cinema Ticket

$6.58 ฿219

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$784 ฿26.1K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.7K ฿488.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.1 ฿1,835

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.74 ฿824

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.1 ฿3,133

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$74.0 ฿2,462

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$490 ฿16.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$288 ฿9,594

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$200 LKR 66.1K

$891 ฿29.7K

-77.58%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$521 ฿17.3K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,974 ฿65.7K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,444 ฿48.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$248 LKR 81.9K

$602 ฿20.0K

-58.85%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

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

Last update for Maharagama: September 13, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 143% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $20.00 in Maharagama versus $20.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $19.00 vs $241 – making Maharagama 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

Maharagama vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 608% more than Maharagama, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $198 per month in Maharagama and $1,398 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $132 in Maharagama and $932 in Chiang Mai. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 1150% more in Chiang Mai, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Maharagama, where all-in costs run around $132, than in Chiang Mai at $932. In Maharagama it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Maharagama costs $132 versus $932 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Maharagama. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chiang Mai makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.