πA single person spends $1,056 per month in Najran vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,657 per month in Najran vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,259 per month in Najran vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πNajran costs about 24% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
πBoth Najran and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median β Najran21% lower, Chiang Mai36% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Najran
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.08SARΒ 30.30
$1.96ΰΈΏ64.0
312.24%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$22.81SARΒ 85.5
$18.81ΰΈΏ615
21.27%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.70SARΒ 32.62
$7.92ΰΈΏ259
9.85%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.62SARΒ 6.08
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.29SARΒ 4.85
-
-
Cappuccino
$4.39SARΒ 16.47
$1.91ΰΈΏ62.6
129.84%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79SARΒ 2.94
$0.84ΰΈΏ27.41
-5.95%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26SARΒ 0.97
$0.35ΰΈΏ11.51
-25.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.21ΰΈΏ72.1
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.80ΰΈΏ124
-
π Groceries & Markets
Najran
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.33SARΒ 8.72
$1.64ΰΈΏ53.5
42.07%
White Bread(500g)
$0.94SARΒ 3.51
$1.62ΰΈΏ53.1
-41.98%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.31SARΒ 8.64
$1.18ΰΈΏ38.62
95.76%
Eggs
$2.11SARΒ 7.90
$2.01ΰΈΏ65.8
4.98%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.82SARΒ 25.59
$15.89ΰΈΏ520
-57.08%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88SARΒ 22.03
$3.01ΰΈΏ98.5
95.35%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.81SARΒ 55.5
$10.77ΰΈΏ352
37.51%
Apples(1kg)
$1.75SARΒ 6.58
$2.61ΰΈΏ85.5
-32.95%
Banana(1kg)
$2.06SARΒ 7.71
$1.22ΰΈΏ39.88
68.85%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.69SARΒ 6.34
$1.70ΰΈΏ55.7
-0.59%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.60SARΒ 6.01
$1.58ΰΈΏ51.5
1.27%
Potato(1kg)
$1.28SARΒ 4.81
$1.32ΰΈΏ43.14
-3.03%
Onion(1kg)
$1.27SARΒ 4.78
$1.17ΰΈΏ38.23
8.55%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.36SARΒ 5.10
$0.67ΰΈΏ21.98
102.99%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66SARΒ 2.46
$0.56ΰΈΏ18.32
17.86%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$2.88SARΒ 10.80
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.57SARΒ 5.88
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01SARΒ 7.52
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$8.16SARΒ 30.60
$4.53ΰΈΏ148
80.13%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$18.20ΰΈΏ595
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.83ΰΈΏ60.0
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.23ΰΈΏ106
-
π Getting Around
Najran
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.09SARΒ 4.07
$0.89ΰΈΏ29.00
22.47%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.24SARΒ 151
$19.38ΰΈΏ634
107.64%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.72SARΒ 10.20
$1.35ΰΈΏ44.20
101.48%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.89SARΒ 7.07
$1.35ΰΈΏ44.05
40.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.51SARΒ 50.7
$8.25ΰΈΏ270
63.76%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.57SARΒ 2.14
$1.27ΰΈΏ41.64
-55.12%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.2KSARΒ 98.4K
$21.2KΰΈΏ691.8K
24.04%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.2KSARΒ 83.4K
$22.5KΰΈΏ735.3K
-1.10%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Najran
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$106SARΒ 399
$70.2ΰΈΏ2,294
51.59%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$33.82SARΒ 127
$13.77ΰΈΏ450
145.61%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.6SARΒ 272
$17.60ΰΈΏ575
312.61%
π Sport & Entertainment
Najran
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$87.6SARΒ 329
$41.57ΰΈΏ1,360
110.80%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.23SARΒ 132
$6.60ΰΈΏ216
433.79%
Cinema Ticket
$15.87SARΒ 59.5
$5.78ΰΈΏ189
174.57%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Najran
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$355SARΒ 1,333
$306ΰΈΏ10.0K
16.08%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,854SARΒ 25.7K
$14.8KΰΈΏ484.8K
-53.77%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Najran
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7SARΒ 220
$54.4ΰΈΏ1,778
8.04%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$59.4SARΒ 223
$26.14ΰΈΏ855
127.20%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$78.6SARΒ 295
$84.5ΰΈΏ2,764
-7.06%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.3SARΒ 301
$69.4ΰΈΏ2,270
15.58%
π Accommodation & Living
Najran
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$333SARΒ 1,249
$424ΰΈΏ13.9K
-21.38%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$197SARΒ 738
$238ΰΈΏ7,788
-17.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$607SARΒ 2,276
$825ΰΈΏ27.0K
-26.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$419SARΒ 1,572
$515ΰΈΏ16.8K
-18.62%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,391SARΒ 8,967
$2,049ΰΈΏ67.0K
16.68%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,316SARΒ 4,935
$1,523ΰΈΏ49.8K
-13.58%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Najran
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,714SARΒ 6,429
$635ΰΈΏ20.8K
169.91%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.42
5
-11.60%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Najran: April 25, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $333 in Najran 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.
π°Salaries run about 170% higher in Najran, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $23.00 in Najran versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story β $200 in Najran vs $243 in Chiang Mai β so Najran 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
Najran vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Najran or Chiang Mai?
Najran costs about 24% more than Chiang Mai, with the gap driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet. 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 Najran vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,584 per month in Najran and $1,278 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Najran 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 Najran and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $355 per month in Najran 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 Najran or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 22% cheaper in Najran 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 Najran or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Najran at $1,056. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Najran it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Najran or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $1,056 in Najran. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Najran 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 Najran or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Najran makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.