ðA single person spends $1,372 per month in Mytilene vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $2,017 per month in Mytilene vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $2,662 per month in Mytilene vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðMytilene costs about 61% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðMytilene sits 2% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 36% below â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Mytilene
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.97âŽ11.11
$1.96āļŋ64.0
561.73%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.07âŽ39.44
$18.81āļŋ615
144.92%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.76âŽ4.07
$7.92āļŋ259
-39.90%
Cappuccino
$3.90âŽ3.34
$1.91āļŋ62.6
104.19%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.68âŽ2.30
$0.84āļŋ27.41
219.05%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.59âŽ0.51
$0.35āļŋ11.51
68.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.37âŽ2.88
$2.21āļŋ72.1
52.49%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.72âŽ4.90
$3.80āļŋ124
50.53%
ð Groceries & Markets
Mytilene
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.59âŽ1.36
$1.64āļŋ53.5
-3.05%
White Bread(500g)
$1.59âŽ1.36
$1.62āļŋ53.1
-1.85%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.93âŽ2.51
$1.18āļŋ38.62
148.31%
Eggs
$2.95âŽ2.53
$2.01āļŋ65.8
46.77%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.61âŽ11.65
$15.89āļŋ520
-14.35%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.59âŽ8.21
$3.01āļŋ98.5
218.60%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.64âŽ11.67
$10.77āļŋ352
26.65%
Apples(1kg)
$1.59âŽ1.36
$2.61āļŋ85.5
-39.08%
Banana(1kg)
$2.11âŽ1.80
$1.22āļŋ39.88
72.95%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.96âŽ1.67
$1.70āļŋ55.7
15.29%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.95âŽ1.67
$1.58āļŋ51.5
23.42%
Potato(1kg)
$1.41âŽ1.21
$1.32āļŋ43.14
6.82%
Onion(1kg)
$1.54âŽ1.32
$1.17āļŋ38.23
31.62%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.99âŽ0.85
$0.67āļŋ21.98
47.76%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72âŽ0.62
$0.56āļŋ18.32
28.57%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.29âŽ4.53
$4.53āļŋ148
16.78%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.74âŽ10.90
$18.20āļŋ595
-30.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.18âŽ1.01
$1.83āļŋ60.0
-35.52%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.55âŽ3.04
$3.23āļŋ106
9.91%
ð Getting Around
Mytilene
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.80âŽ1.54
$0.89āļŋ29.00
102.25%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$28.76âŽ24.62
$19.38āļŋ634
48.40%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.69âŽ2.30
$1.35āļŋ44.20
99.26%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.35āļŋ44.05
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.52âŽ11.57
$8.25āļŋ270
63.88%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.15âŽ1.84
$1.27āļŋ41.64
69.29%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.9KâŽ26.4K
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
45.90%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.4KâŽ22.6K
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
17.59%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mytilene
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$248âŽ212
$70.2āļŋ2,294
253.87%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.33âŽ21.68
$13.77āļŋ450
83.95%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$56.7âŽ48.55
$17.60āļŋ575
222.22%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Mytilene
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$18.15âŽ15.53
$41.57āļŋ1,360
-56.34%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.70âŽ22.86
$6.60āļŋ216
304.55%
Cinema Ticket
$9.39âŽ8.03
$5.78āļŋ189
62.46%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Mytilene
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$325âŽ278
$306āļŋ10.0K
6.14%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,930âŽ5,076
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
-60.00%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Mytilene
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$80.8âŽ69.1
$54.4āļŋ1,778
48.52%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.12âŽ32.63
$26.14āļŋ855
45.83%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$88.3âŽ75.6
$84.5āļŋ2,764
4.48%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109âŽ93.2
$69.4āļŋ2,270
56.89%
ð Accommodation & Living
Mytilene
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$348âŽ298
$424āļŋ13.9K
-17.95%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$323âŽ277
$238āļŋ7,788
35.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$658âŽ563
$825āļŋ27.0K
-20.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$491âŽ420
$515āļŋ16.8K
-4.79%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,225âŽ2,761
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
57.38%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,698âŽ2,309
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
77.15%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Mytilene
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,118âŽ957
$635āļŋ20.8K
75.94%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.15
5
3.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mytilene: April 26, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $348 in Mytilene 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 76% higher in Mytilene, 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 $46.00 in Mytilene versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $282 vs $243 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
Mytilene vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Mytilene or Chiang Mai?
Mytilene costs about 61% 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 Mytilene vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,058 per month in Mytilene 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, Mytilene 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 Mytilene and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $325 per month in Mytilene 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 Mytilene or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 16% more in Mytilene, 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 Mytilene or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Mytilene at $1,372. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Mytilene it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Mytilene or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $1,372 in Mytilene. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Mytilene 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 Mytilene or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Mytilene makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.