๐A single person spends $1,854 per month in Meaux vs $845 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $2,766 per month in Meaux vs $1,323 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $3,677 per month in Meaux vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐Meaux costs about 120% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Meaux sits 38% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 37% below โ they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Meaux
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.69โฌ15.09
$1.95เธฟ62.8
807.18%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$57.1โฌ48.73
$18.43เธฟ594
209.98%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.50โฌ9.81
$7.50เธฟ241
53.33%
Cappuccino
$2.93โฌ2.50
$1.93เธฟ62.3
51.81%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.73โฌ2.33
$0.78เธฟ25.08
250.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.55โฌ2.18
$0.32เธฟ10.42
696.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.07โฌ6.03
$2.15เธฟ69.2
228.84%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.75โฌ4.05
$3.71เธฟ120
28.03%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Meaux
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.37โฌ1.17
$1.71เธฟ55.2
-19.88%
White Bread(500g)
$1.43โฌ1.22
$1.56เธฟ50.3
-8.33%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.71โฌ1.46
$1.18เธฟ38.06
44.92%
Eggs
$4.22โฌ3.60
$1.98เธฟ63.9
113.13%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.55โฌ9.86
$16.04เธฟ517
-27.99%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$13.79โฌ11.76
$3.17เธฟ102
335.02%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.64โฌ16.75
$10.94เธฟ353
79.52%
Apples(1kg)
$3.42โฌ2.92
$2.63เธฟ84.7
30.04%
Banana(1kg)
$1.52โฌ1.29
$1.17เธฟ37.61
29.91%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.40โฌ2.90
$1.65เธฟ53.0
106.06%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.24โฌ1.91
$1.54เธฟ49.51
45.45%
Potato(1kg)
$2.71โฌ2.31
$1.38เธฟ44.34
96.38%
Onion(1kg)
$2.99โฌ2.55
$1.17เธฟ37.54
155.56%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.37โฌ1.17
$0.66เธฟ21.25
107.58%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.44โฌ0.38
$0.51เธฟ16.55
-13.73%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$15.32โฌ13.07
$4.52เธฟ146
238.94%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.65โฌ3.97
$18.32เธฟ590
-74.62%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.83โฌ2.41
$1.80เธฟ57.9
57.22%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.02โฌ3.43
$3.18เธฟ102
26.42%
๐ Getting Around
Meaux
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.93โฌ1.64
$0.90เธฟ28.97
114.44%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$49.59โฌ42.30
$19.00เธฟ612
161.00%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.74โฌ4.05
$1.41เธฟ45.50
236.17%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.09โฌ1.79
$1.31เธฟ42.15
59.54%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$54.9โฌ46.81
$8.09เธฟ261
578.24%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.11โฌ1.80
$1.28เธฟ41.08
64.84%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.9Kโฌ29.8K
$21.3Kเธฟ686.1K
64.00%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$37.2Kโฌ31.7K
$21.7Kเธฟ699.3K
71.25%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Meaux
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$251โฌ214
$69.2เธฟ2,230
262.63%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.66โฌ9.95
$13.97เธฟ450
-16.54%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.16โฌ29.14
$17.95เธฟ578
90.31%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Meaux
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$37.94โฌ32.36
$42.31เธฟ1,363
-10.33%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.97โฌ15.33
$6.66เธฟ214
169.82%
Cinema Ticket
$15.71โฌ13.40
$5.92เธฟ191
165.37%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Meaux
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$877โฌ748
$299เธฟ9,640
193.22%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,488โฌ7,240
$14.8Kเธฟ478.4K
-42.84%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Meaux
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$112โฌ95.7
$56.2เธฟ1,810
99.63%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.51โฌ39.67
$26.94เธฟ868
72.64%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$125โฌ107
$84.9เธฟ2,735
47.37%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$159โฌ135
$71.8เธฟ2,314
120.88%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Meaux
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$763โฌ651
$435เธฟ14.0K
75.42%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$617โฌ526
$240เธฟ7,727
157.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,391โฌ1,186
$798เธฟ25.7K
74.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,066โฌ909
$498เธฟ16.1K
113.78%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,323โฌ3,688
$1,995เธฟ64.3K
116.66%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,051โฌ2,602
$1,532เธฟ49.4K
99.19%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Meaux
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,414โฌ2,912
$628เธฟ20.2K
443.48%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.55
5
-29.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Meaux: April 22, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $763 in Meaux 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.
๐ฐSalaries run about 443% higher in Meaux, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $57 in Meaux versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $322 vs $244 โ 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
Meaux vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Meaux or Chiang Mai?
Meaux costs about 120% 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 Meaux vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,781 per month in Meaux and $1,267 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Meaux 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 Meaux and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $877 per month in Meaux 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 Meaux or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 32% more in Meaux, 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 Meaux or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $845, than in Meaux at $1,854. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Meaux it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Meaux or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $845 versus $1,854 in Meaux. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Meaux 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 โ central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Meaux or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Meaux makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.