ðA single person spends $1,777 per month in Marmande vs $845 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $2,737 per month in Marmande vs $1,323 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $3,697 per month in Marmande vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðMarmande costs about 110% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðMarmande sits 33% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 37% below â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Marmande
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.08âŽ14.57
$1.95āļŋ62.8
775.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$58.2âŽ49.64
$18.43āļŋ594
215.79%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.34âŽ9.68
$7.50āļŋ241
51.20%
Cappuccino
$3.33âŽ2.84
$1.93āļŋ62.3
72.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.70âŽ2.30
$0.78āļŋ25.08
246.15%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.83âŽ1.56
$0.32āļŋ10.42
471.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.88âŽ5.87
$2.15āļŋ69.2
220.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.96âŽ5.08
$3.71āļŋ120
60.65%
ð Groceries & Markets
Marmande
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.29âŽ1.10
$1.71āļŋ55.2
-24.56%
White Bread(500g)
$1.81âŽ1.54
$1.56āļŋ50.3
16.03%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.68âŽ2.28
$1.18āļŋ38.06
127.12%
Eggs
$3.93âŽ3.35
$1.98āļŋ63.9
98.48%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$19.09âŽ16.28
$16.04āļŋ517
19.01%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$13.52âŽ11.53
$3.17āļŋ102
326.50%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$21.03âŽ17.94
$10.94āļŋ353
92.23%
Apples(1kg)
$3.05âŽ2.60
$2.63āļŋ84.7
15.97%
Banana(1kg)
$2.28âŽ1.94
$1.17āļŋ37.61
94.87%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.77âŽ2.36
$1.65āļŋ53.0
67.88%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.61âŽ3.08
$1.54āļŋ49.51
134.42%
Potato(1kg)
$2.23âŽ1.90
$1.38āļŋ44.34
61.59%
Onion(1kg)
$2.48âŽ2.11
$1.17āļŋ37.54
111.97%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.52âŽ1.30
$0.66āļŋ21.25
130.30%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.68âŽ0.58
$0.51āļŋ16.55
33.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$13.73âŽ11.72
$4.52āļŋ146
203.76%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.47âŽ7.23
$18.32āļŋ590
-53.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.68âŽ2.28
$1.80āļŋ57.9
48.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.40âŽ2.90
$3.18āļŋ102
6.92%
ð Getting Around
Marmande
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.93âŽ1.64
$0.90āļŋ28.97
114.44%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$49.57âŽ42.28
$19.00āļŋ612
160.89%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.75âŽ4.05
$1.41āļŋ45.50
236.88%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.88âŽ1.61
$1.31āļŋ42.15
43.51%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$36.22âŽ30.90
$8.09āļŋ261
347.71%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.06âŽ1.76
$1.28āļŋ41.08
60.94%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.9KâŽ31.5K
$21.3Kāļŋ686.1K
73.40%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$37.9KâŽ32.3K
$21.7Kāļŋ699.3K
74.46%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Marmande
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$195âŽ166
$69.2āļŋ2,230
181.69%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.68âŽ20.20
$13.97āļŋ450
69.51%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.29âŽ27.54
$17.95āļŋ578
79.89%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Marmande
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$37.29âŽ31.81
$42.31āļŋ1,363
-11.86%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.39âŽ15.68
$6.66āļŋ214
176.13%
Cinema Ticket
$14.11âŽ12.04
$5.92āļŋ191
138.34%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Marmande
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$791âŽ674
$299āļŋ9,640
164.21%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,553âŽ7,295
$14.8Kāļŋ478.4K
-42.40%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Marmande
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$104âŽ89.1
$56.2āļŋ1,810
85.87%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.48âŽ32.82
$26.94āļŋ868
42.84%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$90.9âŽ77.5
$84.9āļŋ2,735
7.09%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$138âŽ118
$71.8āļŋ2,314
92.29%
ð Accommodation & Living
Marmande
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$784âŽ669
$435āļŋ14.0K
80.32%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$623âŽ531
$240āļŋ7,727
159.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,395âŽ1,190
$798āļŋ25.7K
74.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,105âŽ942
$498āļŋ16.1K
121.64%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,111âŽ3,507
$1,995āļŋ64.3K
106.03%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,018âŽ2,574
$1,532āļŋ49.4K
97.03%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Marmande
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$628āļŋ20.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.63
5
-27.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Marmande: April 22, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $784 in Marmande versus $435 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 $58 in Marmande versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $366 vs $244 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
Marmande vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Marmande or Chiang Mai?
Marmande costs about 110% 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 Marmande vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,665 per month in Marmande and $1,267 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Marmande 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 Marmande and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $791 per month in Marmande 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 Marmande or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 50% more in Marmande, 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 Marmande or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $845, than in Marmande at $1,777. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Marmande it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Marmande or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $845 versus $1,777 in Marmande. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Marmande 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 Marmande or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Marmande makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.