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

Name: Chiang Mai
Address: Chiang Mai, TH

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $418 per month in Manakara vs $920 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $639 per month in Manakara vs $1,408 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $861 per month in Manakara vs $1,895 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Manakara is about 55% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Manakara and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Manakara 69% lower, Chiang Mai 33% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.38 MGA 10.2K

$2.11 ฿69.1

12.80%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$15.32 MGA 65.7K

$19.75 ฿648

-22.43%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.68 MGA 15.8K

$5.85 ฿192

-37.09%

Cappuccino

$1.23 MGA 5,278

$1.76 ฿57.8

-30.11%

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

$0.60 MGA 2,585

$0.74 ฿24.37

-18.92%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.57 MGA 2,436

$0.33 ฿10.90

72.73%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.26 MGA 5,389

$2.47 ฿81.0

-48.99%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.48 MGA 6,369

$3.88 ฿127

-61.86%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.83 MGA 7,866

$1.90 ฿62.4

-3.68%

White Bread (500g)

$1.01 MGA 4,347

$1.67 ฿54.7

-39.52%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.76 MGA 3,247

$1.35 ฿44.24

-43.70%

Eggs

$2.38 MGA 10.2K

$2.14 ฿70.2

11.21%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.68 MGA 28.7K

$15.89 ฿521

-57.96%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.55 MGA 15.2K

$2.83 ฿92.9

25.44%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.60 MGA 15.5K

$10.53 ฿345

-65.81%

Apples (1kg)

$1.03 MGA 4,420

$2.38 ฿78.2

-56.72%

Banana (1kg)

$0.71 MGA 3,040

$1.07 ฿35.01

-33.64%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.40 MGA 1,705

$1.52 ฿49.79

-73.68%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.72 MGA 3,083

$1.50 ฿49.30

-52.00%

Potato (1kg)

$0.58 MGA 2,468

$1.28 ฿41.96

-54.69%

Onion (1kg)

$0.76 MGA 3,251

$1.10 ฿36.17

-30.91%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.37 MGA 1,570

$0.69 ฿22.54

-46.38%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.72 MGA 3,108

$0.49 ฿16.18

46.94%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.49 MGA 6,397

$4.27 ฿140

-65.11%

Wine (Bottle)

$4.60 MGA 19.7K

$16.78 ฿550

-72.59%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.07 MGA 4,609

$1.66 ฿54.4

-35.54%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.34 MGA 5,751

$2.81 ฿92.3

-52.31%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.24 MGA 1,032

$0.90 ฿29.44

-73.33%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$37.41 MGA 160.5K

$54.9 ฿1,801

-31.86%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.18 MGA 5,069

$1.20 ฿39.24

-1.67%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.28 MGA 9,781

$0.54 ฿17.78

322.22%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.54 MGA 15.2K

$2.37 ฿77.9

49.37%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.19 MGA 5,115

$1.43 ฿46.88

-16.78%

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

$16.1K MGA 69.2M

$21.1K ฿691.5K

-23.48%

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

$21.2K MGA 90.9M

$27.1K ฿890.2K

-21.92%

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

$44.44 MGA 190.7K

$64.7 ฿2,124

-31.36%

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

$13.19 ฿433

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$55.9 MGA 239.8K

$19.44 ฿638

187.55%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$12.20 MGA 52.4K

$39.45 ฿1,294

-69.07%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.77 ฿124

Cinema Ticket

$6.62 ฿217

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

$23.38 MGA 100.3K

$805 ฿26.4K

-97.10%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.1K ฿496.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$16.90 MGA 72.5K

$54.8 ฿1,796

-69.13%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$21.19 MGA 90.9K

$25.43 ฿834

-16.67%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$48.23 MGA 206.9K

$91.9 ฿3,015

-47.52%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$47.13 MGA 202.2K

$74.7 ฿2,449

-36.87%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$467 ฿15.3K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$282 ฿9,251

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$891 ฿29.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$521 ฿17.1K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,985 ฿65.1K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,462 ฿48.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$122 MGA 521.5K

$592 ฿19.4K

-79.47%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

330.88%

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

Last update for Manakara: August 16, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: August 17, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 387% 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 $15.00 in Manakara versus $20.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $135 vs $237 – making Manakara 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

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

Chiang Mai costs about 120% more than Manakara, 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 $627 per month in Manakara and $1,380 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Kindergarten costs $23.38 per month in Manakara and $805 in Chiang Mai. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 76% 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 Manakara, where all-in costs run around $418, than in Chiang Mai at $920. In Manakara 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. Manakara costs $418 versus $920 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 Manakara. 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.