ðA single person spends $340 per month in Mandvi vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $544 per month in Mandvi vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $749 per month in Mandvi vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðMandvi is about 60% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Mandvi and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median â Mandvi75% lower, Chiang Mai36% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Mandvi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.25âđ213
$1.96āļŋ63.6
14.80%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.40âđ984
$18.81āļŋ611
-44.71%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.38âđ225
$7.92āļŋ258
-69.95%
Cappuccino
$1.48âđ140
$1.91āļŋ62.2
-22.51%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.22âđ20.72
$0.84āļŋ27.25
-73.81%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.12âđ11.14
$0.35āļŋ11.44
-65.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.30âđ218
$2.21āļŋ71.7
4.07%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.59âđ339
$3.80āļŋ124
-5.53%
ð Groceries & Markets
Mandvi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.52âđ49.28
$1.64āļŋ53.2
-68.29%
White Bread(500g)
$0.30âđ28.59
$1.62āļŋ52.8
-81.48%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.50âđ47.56
$1.18āļŋ38.40
-57.63%
Eggs
$0.85âđ80.8
$2.01āļŋ65.4
-57.71%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.80âđ548
$15.89āļŋ517
-63.50%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.11âđ294
$3.01āļŋ98.0
3.32%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$10.77āļŋ350
-
Apples(1kg)
$1.87âđ176
$2.61āļŋ85.0
-28.35%
Banana(1kg)
$0.78âđ73.9
$1.22āļŋ39.65
-36.07%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.10âđ104
$1.70āļŋ55.4
-35.29%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.85âđ80.3
$1.58āļŋ51.2
-46.20%
Potato(1kg)
$0.28âđ26.20
$1.32āļŋ42.89
-78.79%
Onion(1kg)
$0.30âđ28.41
$1.17āļŋ38.01
-74.36%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.47âđ44.41
$0.67āļŋ21.85
-29.85%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.22âđ20.77
$0.56āļŋ18.21
-60.71%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.99âđ283
$4.53āļŋ147
-34.00%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.47âđ990
$18.20āļŋ592
-42.47%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.58âđ244
$1.83āļŋ59.6
40.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23âđ306
$3.23āļŋ105
-
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
$3.91âđ370
-
-
ð Getting Around
Mandvi
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.28âđ26.24
$0.89āļŋ28.83
-68.54%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.54âđ808
$19.38āļŋ630
-55.93%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.60âđ56.5
$1.35āļŋ43.95
-55.56%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.11âđ10.78
$1.35āļŋ43.79
-91.85%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.08âđ197
$8.25āļŋ268
-74.79%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.17âđ111
$1.27āļŋ41.40
-7.87%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$8,026âđ759.4K
$21.2Kāļŋ687.8K
-62.06%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$13.7Kâđ1.3M
$22.5Kāļŋ731.0K
-39.04%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mandvi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$21.73âđ2,056
$70.2āļŋ2,281
-69.02%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.66âđ347
$13.77āļŋ448
-73.42%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$5.69âđ538
$17.60āļŋ572
-67.67%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Mandvi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$7.97âđ754
$41.57āļŋ1,352
-80.83%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.20âđ681
$6.60āļŋ215
9.09%
Cinema Ticket
$3.53âđ334
$5.78āļŋ188
-38.93%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Mandvi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$92.9âđ8,789
$306āļŋ9,953
-69.66%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,822âđ172.4K
$14.8Kāļŋ482.0K
-87.71%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Mandvi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$8.92âđ844
$54.4āļŋ1,768
-83.59%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$11.60âđ1,098
$26.14āļŋ850
-55.62%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$17.25âđ1,633
$84.5āļŋ2,748
-79.60%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$17.39âđ1,646
$69.4āļŋ2,257
-74.95%
ð Accommodation & Living
Mandvi
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$124âđ11.7K
$424āļŋ13.8K
-70.78%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$76.5âđ7,236
$238āļŋ7,743
-67.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$272âđ25.8K
$825āļŋ26.8K
-66.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$181âđ17.1K
$515āļŋ16.7K
-64.89%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$989âđ93.6K
$2,049āļŋ66.6K
-51.72%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$552âđ52.2K
$1,523āļŋ49.5K
-63.74%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Mandvi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$635āļŋ20.6K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.5
5
70.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mandvi: April 26, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $124 in Mandvi 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.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $10.00 in Mandvi versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $115 vs $243 â making Mandvi 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
Mandvi vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Mandvi or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 151% more than Mandvi, 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 Mandvi vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $510 per month in Mandvi 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, Mandvi or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Mandvi, 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 Mandvi and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $92.9 per month in Mandvi 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 Mandvi or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 111% 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.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Mandvi or Chiang Mai?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $340 in Mandvi and $852 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Mandvi or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Mandvi costs $340 versus $852 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Mandvi 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 Mandvi or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Mandvi. 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.