๐A single person spends $1,635 per month in Montalto Dora vs $872 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $2,497 per month in Montalto Dora vs $1,337 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $3,359 per month in Montalto Dora vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐Montalto Dora costs about 87% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
๐Montalto Dora sits 21% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 35% below โ they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Montalto Dora
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.71โฌ4.86
$2.01เธฟ64.5
184.08%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$80.2โฌ68.3
$18.23เธฟ584
340.15%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.51โฌ8.09
$7.65เธฟ245
24.31%
Cappuccino
$2.22โฌ1.89
$1.92เธฟ61.5
15.63%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.81โฌ2.39
$0.84เธฟ26.97
234.52%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.44โฌ1.23
$0.36เธฟ11.42
300.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.81โฌ4.94
$2.19เธฟ70.2
165.30%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.95โฌ5.06
$3.79เธฟ121
56.99%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Montalto Dora
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.57โฌ1.34
$1.64เธฟ52.5
-4.27%
White Bread(500g)
$2.68โฌ2.28
$1.62เธฟ52.0
65.43%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.72โฌ2.32
$1.15เธฟ36.98
136.52%
Eggs
$5.11โฌ4.35
$1.94เธฟ62.2
163.40%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$21.29โฌ18.12
$15.94เธฟ511
33.56%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$13.27โฌ11.29
$3.10เธฟ99.5
328.06%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.77โฌ15.12
$11.07เธฟ355
60.52%
Apples(1kg)
$2.42โฌ2.06
$2.71เธฟ86.8
-10.70%
Banana(1kg)
$2.19โฌ1.86
$1.18เธฟ37.80
85.59%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.03โฌ1.72
$1.71เธฟ54.7
18.71%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.91โฌ2.48
$1.61เธฟ51.5
80.75%
Potato(1kg)
$1.62โฌ1.38
$1.39เธฟ44.66
16.55%
Onion(1kg)
$1.32โฌ1.13
$1.15เธฟ36.81
14.78%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.76โฌ1.50
$0.71เธฟ22.83
147.89%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.60โฌ0.51
$0.55เธฟ17.65
9.09%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.88โฌ5.85
$4.57เธฟ146
50.55%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.68โฌ7.39
$18.87เธฟ605
-54.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.66โฌ1.41
$1.82เธฟ58.4
-8.79%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.84โฌ1.57
$3.21เธฟ103
-42.68%
๐ Getting Around
Montalto Dora
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.72โฌ1.46
$0.88เธฟ28.24
95.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$43.11โฌ36.69
$18.89เธฟ606
128.22%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.86โฌ4.99
$1.41เธฟ45.30
315.60%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.54โฌ1.31
$1.30เธฟ41.71
18.46%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$28.82โฌ24.53
$8.20เธฟ263
251.46%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.09โฌ1.78
$1.23เธฟ39.29
69.92%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.6Kโฌ22.6K
$21.2Kเธฟ678.9K
25.41%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.7Kโฌ29.5K
$22.3Kเธฟ715.3K
55.57%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Montalto Dora
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$181โฌ154
$69.9เธฟ2,240
158.82%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.94โฌ12.71
$14.07เธฟ451
6.18%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.05โฌ25.57
$17.70เธฟ567
69.77%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Montalto Dora
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$55.4โฌ47.18
$41.41เธฟ1,328
33.88%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.31โฌ19.83
$6.69เธฟ215
248.43%
Cinema Ticket
$11.14โฌ9.48
$5.74เธฟ184
94.08%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Montalto Dora
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$655โฌ558
$299เธฟ9,593
119.07%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,705โฌ4,004
$15.0Kเธฟ481.2K
-68.65%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Montalto Dora
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$93.2โฌ79.3
$54.8เธฟ1,758
70.05%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.78โฌ38.11
$26.35เธฟ845
69.94%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.1โฌ84.3
$84.7เธฟ2,714
17.06%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$170โฌ144
$69.7เธฟ2,236
143.42%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Montalto Dora
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$739โฌ629
$427เธฟ13.7K
73.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$573โฌ487
$241เธฟ7,718
137.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,204โฌ1,024
$811เธฟ26.0K
48.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$915โฌ779
$498เธฟ16.0K
83.63%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,447โฌ2,933
$2,022เธฟ64.8K
70.43%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,010โฌ1,710
$1,524เธฟ48.9K
31.89%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Montalto Dora
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$639เธฟ20.5K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.83
5
-3.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Montalto Dora: April 11, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $739 in Montalto Dora versus $427 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.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $80 in Montalto Dora versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $356 vs $246 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
Montalto Dora vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Montalto Dora or Chiang Mai?
Montalto Dora costs about 87% 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 Montalto Dora vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,453 per month in Montalto Dora and $1,308 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Montalto Dora 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 Montalto Dora and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $655 per month in Montalto Dora 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 Montalto Dora or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 45% more in Montalto Dora, 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 Montalto Dora or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $872, than in Montalto Dora at $1,635. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Montalto Dora it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Montalto Dora or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $872 versus $1,635 in Montalto Dora. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Montalto Dora 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 Montalto Dora or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Montalto Dora makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Montalto Dora vs other spots: cost of living compared