πA single person spends $1,586 per month in MrΔ gowo vs $869 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA couple spends around $2,280 per month in MrΔ gowo vs $1,362 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,974 per month in MrΔ gowo vs $1,855 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πMrΔ gowo costs about 83% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πMrΔ gowo sits 18% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 35% below β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
MrΔ gowo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.68zΕΒ 39.04
$1.98ΰΈΏ64.3
439.39%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$57.5zΕΒ 210
$18.80ΰΈΏ612
206.01%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.72zΕΒ 35.54
$7.75ΰΈΏ252
25.42%
Cappuccino
$4.14zΕΒ 15.15
$1.92ΰΈΏ62.5
115.63%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.13zΕΒ 7.79
$0.79ΰΈΏ25.79
169.62%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.88zΕΒ 6.88
$0.36ΰΈΏ11.62
422.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.56zΕΒ 16.66
$2.21ΰΈΏ72.1
106.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.57zΕΒ 16.70
$3.66ΰΈΏ119
24.86%
π Groceries & Markets
MrΔ gowo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.19zΕΒ 4.34
$1.65ΰΈΏ53.8
-27.88%
White Bread(500g)
$1.16zΕΒ 4.23
$1.63ΰΈΏ53.2
-28.83%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.81zΕΒ 6.62
$1.19ΰΈΏ38.86
52.10%
Eggs
$3.66zΕΒ 13.36
$2.00ΰΈΏ65.1
83.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.94zΕΒ 18.07
$15.98ΰΈΏ520
-69.09%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.59zΕΒ 20.43
$3.03ΰΈΏ98.5
84.49%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.11zΕΒ 51.6
$10.86ΰΈΏ354
29.93%
Apples(1kg)
$1.30zΕΒ 4.74
$2.76ΰΈΏ90.0
-52.90%
Banana(1kg)
$1.80zΕΒ 6.56
$1.18ΰΈΏ38.42
52.54%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.96zΕΒ 7.18
$1.64ΰΈΏ53.5
19.51%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.61zΕΒ 13.20
$1.52ΰΈΏ49.51
137.50%
Potato(1kg)
$1.10zΕΒ 4.01
$1.38ΰΈΏ45.10
-20.29%
Onion(1kg)
$1.22zΕΒ 4.47
$1.19ΰΈΏ38.84
2.52%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.51zΕΒ 5.50
$0.70ΰΈΏ22.86
115.71%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.69zΕΒ 2.52
$0.56ΰΈΏ18.13
23.21%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.46zΕΒ 19.97
$4.58ΰΈΏ149
19.21%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.38zΕΒ 26.99
$16.56ΰΈΏ539
-55.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.41zΕΒ 5.17
$1.83ΰΈΏ59.5
-22.95%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.93zΕΒ 7.06
$3.20ΰΈΏ104
-39.69%
π Getting Around
MrΔ gowo
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.10zΕΒ 4.03
$0.88ΰΈΏ28.56
25.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$31.87zΕΒ 116
$18.72ΰΈΏ610
70.25%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.66zΕΒ 9.72
$1.36ΰΈΏ44.16
95.59%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.01zΕΒ 3.71
$1.34ΰΈΏ43.65
-24.63%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.67zΕΒ 49.97
$7.84ΰΈΏ256
74.36%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.79zΕΒ 6.55
$1.23ΰΈΏ39.92
45.53%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.6KzΕΒ 119.0K
$21.6KΰΈΏ704.3K
50.57%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.5KzΕΒ 118.7K
$22.5KΰΈΏ734.3K
44.06%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
MrΔ gowo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$364zΕΒ 1,331
$70.5ΰΈΏ2,298
416.26%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.13zΕΒ 37.03
$13.68ΰΈΏ445
-25.95%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.61zΕΒ 64.4
$17.45ΰΈΏ568
0.92%
π Sport & Entertainment
MrΔ gowo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$35.72zΕΒ 131
$41.33ΰΈΏ1,346
-13.57%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.62zΕΒ 71.7
$6.96ΰΈΏ227
181.90%
Cinema Ticket
$9.55zΕΒ 34.90
$5.77ΰΈΏ188
65.51%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
MrΔ gowo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$570zΕΒ 2,082
$307ΰΈΏ10.0K
85.53%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.7KzΕΒ 57.6K
$14.6KΰΈΏ475.9K
7.78%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
MrΔ gowo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$99.3zΕΒ 363
$55.8ΰΈΏ1,817
77.90%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.82zΕΒ 175
$26.21ΰΈΏ854
82.45%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.9zΕΒ 340
$85.8ΰΈΏ2,793
8.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111zΕΒ 406
$72.2ΰΈΏ2,353
53.83%
π Accommodation & Living
MrΔ gowo
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$647zΕΒ 2,363
$430ΰΈΏ14.0K
50.45%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$493zΕΒ 1,804
$239ΰΈΏ7,774
106.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$990zΕΒ 3,618
$817ΰΈΏ26.6K
21.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$826zΕΒ 3,021
$511ΰΈΏ16.6K
61.83%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,402zΕΒ 12.4K
$1,983ΰΈΏ64.6K
71.55%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,295zΕΒ 8,389
$1,484ΰΈΏ48.3K
54.67%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
MrΔ gowo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$619ΰΈΏ20.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.55
5
51.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for MrΔ gowo: June 7, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $647 in MrΔ gowo versus $430 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.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $58.0 in MrΔ gowo versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story β $219 in MrΔ gowo vs $241 in Chiang Mai β so MrΔ gowo wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
MrΔ gowo vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, MrΔ gowo or Chiang Mai?
MrΔ gowo costs about 83% 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 MrΔ gowo vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,379 per month in MrΔ gowo and $1,303 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, MrΔ gowo 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 MrΔ gowo and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $570 per month in MrΔ gowo and $307 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 MrΔ gowo or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 10% cheaper in MrΔ gowo β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $1,000/month in MrΔ gowo or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $869, than in MrΔ gowo at $1,586. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in MrΔ gowo it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, MrΔ gowo or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $869 versus $1,586 in MrΔ gowo. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is MrΔ gowo 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 β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to MrΔ gowo or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, MrΔ gowo makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.