πA single person spends $1,027 per month in Manavgat vs $866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,602 per month in Manavgat vs $1,351 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,177 per month in Manavgat vs $1,835 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πManavgat costs about 19% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Manavgat and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median β Manavgat23% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Manavgat
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.66βΊ306
$1.94ΰΈΏ63.5
243.30%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$27.11βΊ1,246
$18.64ΰΈΏ609
45.44%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.09βΊ188
$7.82ΰΈΏ255
-47.70%
Cappuccino
$2.78βΊ128
$1.95ΰΈΏ63.8
42.56%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.74βΊ80.1
$0.85ΰΈΏ27.77
104.71%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.28βΊ12.91
$0.35ΰΈΏ11.58
-20.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.67βΊ122
$2.13ΰΈΏ69.6
25.35%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75βΊ127
$3.73ΰΈΏ122
-26.27%
π Groceries & Markets
Manavgat
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.83βΊ38.19
$1.71ΰΈΏ56.0
-51.46%
White Bread(500g)
$0.94βΊ43.07
$1.63ΰΈΏ53.2
-42.33%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.10βΊ50.7
$1.14ΰΈΏ37.15
-3.51%
Eggs
$1.71βΊ78.6
$1.93ΰΈΏ63.1
-11.40%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.31βΊ382
$16.21ΰΈΏ530
-48.74%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.32βΊ244
$3.12ΰΈΏ102
70.51%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.51βΊ896
$10.90ΰΈΏ356
78.99%
Apples(1kg)
$0.65βΊ29.87
$2.75ΰΈΏ90.0
-76.36%
Banana(1kg)
$2.10βΊ96.4
$1.21ΰΈΏ39.52
73.55%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.65βΊ29.91
$1.62ΰΈΏ53.0
-59.88%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.15βΊ52.8
$1.59ΰΈΏ51.8
-27.67%
Potato(1kg)
$0.55βΊ25.45
$1.40ΰΈΏ45.70
-60.71%
Onion(1kg)
$0.26βΊ11.79
$1.17ΰΈΏ38.17
-77.78%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.35βΊ16.24
$0.66ΰΈΏ21.60
-46.97%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.34βΊ15.80
$0.53ΰΈΏ17.22
-35.85%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.02βΊ93.0
$4.69ΰΈΏ153
-56.93%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.08βΊ325
$18.66ΰΈΏ609
-62.06%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71βΊ78.5
$1.80ΰΈΏ58.8
-5.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.07βΊ95.2
$3.23ΰΈΏ106
-35.91%
π Getting Around
Manavgat
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.62βΊ28.50
$0.90ΰΈΏ29.26
-31.11%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$30.68βΊ1,410
$19.21ΰΈΏ628
59.71%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.08βΊ49.81
$1.41ΰΈΏ45.91
-23.40%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.08βΊ49.54
$1.29ΰΈΏ42.12
-16.28%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.40βΊ340
$7.84ΰΈΏ256
-5.61%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.25βΊ57.4
$1.27ΰΈΏ41.58
-1.57%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$40.8KβΊ1.9M
$21.3KΰΈΏ694.9K
91.81%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.6KβΊ2.0M
$22.2KΰΈΏ725.4K
91.84%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Manavgat
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$48.33βΊ2,221
$69.1ΰΈΏ2,256
-30.03%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.86βΊ361
$14.08ΰΈΏ460
-44.18%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.37βΊ706
$18.00ΰΈΏ588
-14.61%
π Sport & Entertainment
Manavgat
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.02βΊ1,977
$41.06ΰΈΏ1,341
4.77%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.53βΊ943
$6.96ΰΈΏ227
194.97%
Cinema Ticket
$6.26βΊ288
$5.92ΰΈΏ193
5.74%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Manavgat
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$623βΊ28.6K
$299ΰΈΏ9,766
108.17%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,911βΊ409.4K
$15.0KΰΈΏ488.3K
-40.41%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Manavgat
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.90βΊ2,155
$54.7ΰΈΏ1,787
-14.26%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.17βΊ1,249
$26.77ΰΈΏ874
1.49%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$107βΊ4,905
$85.0ΰΈΏ2,776
25.61%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111βΊ5,083
$70.6ΰΈΏ2,306
56.70%
π Accommodation & Living
Manavgat
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$518βΊ23.8K
$428ΰΈΏ14.0K
20.94%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$400βΊ18.4K
$237ΰΈΏ7,752
68.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$883βΊ40.6K
$801ΰΈΏ26.2K
10.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$697βΊ32.0K
$515ΰΈΏ16.8K
35.28%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,153βΊ53.0K
$1,975ΰΈΏ64.5K
-41.60%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$908βΊ41.7K
$1,475ΰΈΏ48.2K
-38.41%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Manavgat
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$715βΊ32.9K
$617ΰΈΏ20.2K
15.87%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
20
5
300.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Manavgat: June 1, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $518 in Manavgat versus $428 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.
π°Salaries run about 16% higher in Manavgat, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $27.00 in Manavgat versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story β $198 in Manavgat vs $246 in Chiang Mai β so Manavgat wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
Manavgat vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Manavgat or Chiang Mai?
Manavgat costs about 19% more than Chiang Mai, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 Manavgat vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,541 per month in Manavgat and $1,300 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Manavgat 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 Manavgat and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $623 per month in Manavgat and $299 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 Manavgat or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 25% cheaper in Manavgat β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Manavgat or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $866, than in Manavgat at $1,027. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Manavgat it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Manavgat or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $866 versus $1,027 in Manavgat. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Manavgat 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 β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Manavgat or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Manavgat makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.