ðA single person spends $339 per month in Moga vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $540 per month in Moga vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $741 per month in Moga vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðMoga is about 60% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Moga and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median â Moga75% lower, Chiang Mai36% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Moga
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.31âđ219
$1.96āļŋ63.6
17.86%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.12âđ863
$18.81āļŋ611
-51.52%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.17âđ395
$7.92āļŋ258
-47.35%
Cappuccino
$1.83âđ174
$1.91āļŋ62.2
-4.19%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43âđ40.76
$0.84āļŋ27.25
-48.81%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.15âđ14.10
$0.35āļŋ11.44
-57.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72âđ162
$2.21āļŋ71.7
-22.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88âđ273
$3.80āļŋ124
-24.21%
ð Groceries & Markets
Moga
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.73âđ69.1
$1.64āļŋ53.2
-55.49%
White Bread(500g)
$0.43âđ40.32
$1.62āļŋ52.8
-73.46%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.60âđ56.4
$1.18āļŋ38.40
-49.15%
Eggs
$0.86âđ81.6
$2.01āļŋ65.4
-57.21%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.77âđ451
$15.89āļŋ517
-69.98%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$1.72âđ163
$3.01āļŋ98.0
-42.86%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$10.77āļŋ350
-
Apples(1kg)
$0.68âđ64.7
$2.61āļŋ85.0
-73.95%
Banana(1kg)
$0.61âđ57.4
$1.22āļŋ39.65
-50.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.81âđ77.0
$1.70āļŋ55.4
-52.35%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.59âđ55.8
$1.58āļŋ51.2
-62.66%
Potato(1kg)
$0.33âđ31.54
$1.32āļŋ42.89
-75.00%
Onion(1kg)
$0.42âđ39.74
$1.17āļŋ38.01
-64.10%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.61âđ57.3
$0.67āļŋ21.85
-8.96%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.28âđ26.28
$0.56āļŋ18.21
-50.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.53âđ429
$4.53āļŋ147
-
Wine(Bottle)
$5.46âđ516
$18.20āļŋ592
-70.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.68âđ159
$1.83āļŋ59.6
-8.20%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.30âđ218
$3.23āļŋ105
-28.79%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
$2.84âđ268
-
-
ð Getting Around
Moga
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30âđ28.55
$0.89āļŋ28.83
-66.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.95âđ847
$19.38āļŋ630
-53.82%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.83âđ78.1
$1.35āļŋ43.95
-38.52%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.35āļŋ43.79
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.00âđ189
$8.25āļŋ268
-75.76%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.12âđ106
$1.27āļŋ41.40
-11.81%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$12.7Kâđ1.2M
$21.2Kāļŋ687.8K
-40.18%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.9Kâđ1.9M
$22.5Kāļŋ731.0K
-11.30%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Moga
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$35.54âđ3,363
$70.2āļŋ2,281
-49.34%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.54âđ335
$13.77āļŋ448
-74.29%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.65âđ724
$17.60āļŋ572
-56.53%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Moga
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$15.74âđ1,489
$41.57āļŋ1,352
-62.14%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.95âđ658
$6.60āļŋ215
5.30%
Cinema Ticket
$5.66âđ535
$5.78āļŋ188
-2.08%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Moga
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$34.29âđ3,244
$306āļŋ9,953
-88.80%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$834âđ78.9K
$14.8Kāļŋ482.0K
-94.37%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Moga
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$22.53âđ2,132
$54.4āļŋ1,768
-58.56%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.42âđ2,689
$26.14āļŋ850
8.72%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$48.03âđ4,544
$84.5āļŋ2,748
-43.19%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$42.62âđ4,033
$69.4āļŋ2,257
-38.61%
ð Accommodation & Living
Moga
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$64.5âđ6,103
$424āļŋ13.8K
-84.78%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$31.54âđ2,985
$238āļŋ7,743
-86.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$138âđ13.1K
$825āļŋ26.8K
-83.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$94.1âđ8,903
$515āļŋ16.7K
-81.74%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,049āļŋ66.6K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,523āļŋ49.5K
-
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Moga
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$209âđ19.8K
$635āļŋ20.6K
-67.08%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.25
5
65.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Moga: April 26, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $64.5 in Moga 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.
ð°Salaries run about 204% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $9.00 in Moga versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $85.0 vs $243 â making Moga 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
Moga vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Moga or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 151% more than Moga, 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 Moga vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $509 per month in Moga 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, Moga or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Moga, 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 Moga and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $34.29 per month in Moga 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 Moga or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 186% 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 $800/month in Moga or Chiang Mai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $339 in Moga and $852 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Moga or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Moga costs $339 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 Moga 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 Moga or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Moga. 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.