Cost of Living Comparison Between Nelson and Chiang Mai Cost of Living Comparison Between Nelson and Chiang Mai

😐 Solo nomad: Nelson is 74.9% more expensive than Chiang Mai without rent, and 135.5% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Nelson is 84.4% more expensive than Chiang Mai without rent, and 126.5% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Nelson
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.86 NZ$34.41
$2.02 ΰΈΏ65.3
932.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$85.7 NZ$141
$18.78 ΰΈΏ608
356.39%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.4 NZ$15.5
$7.67 ΰΈΏ248
22.56%
Cappuccino
$3.17 NZ$5.22
$1.98 ΰΈΏ64.2
60.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.66 NZ$4.39
$0.82 ΰΈΏ26.64
224.39%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.76 NZ$4.56
$0.33 ΰΈΏ10.58
736.36%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.34 NZ$12.1
$2.12 ΰΈΏ68.6
246.23%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.95 NZ$9.82
$3.73 ΰΈΏ121
59.52%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Nelson
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.34 NZ$3.86
$1.64 ΰΈΏ53.2
42.68%
White Bread (500g)
$2.32 NZ$3.82
$1.57 ΰΈΏ50.9
47.77%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.25 NZ$3.71
$1.19 ΰΈΏ38.62
89.08%
Eggs
$6.11 NZ$10.07
$1.98 ΰΈΏ64.1
208.59%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.87 NZ$16.28
$15.99 ΰΈΏ517
-38.27%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.07 NZ$13.31
$3.12 ΰΈΏ101
158.65%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.25 NZ$26.8
$11.16 ΰΈΏ361
45.61%
Apples (1kg)
$3.6 NZ$5.94
$2.76 ΰΈΏ89.2
30.43%
Banana (1kg)
$2.61 NZ$4.31
$1.22 ΰΈΏ39.5
113.93%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.97 NZ$4.9
$1.71 ΰΈΏ55.4
73.68%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.46 NZ$10.66
$1.55 ΰΈΏ50.2
316.77%
Potato (1kg)
$3.73 NZ$6.15
$1.34 ΰΈΏ43.21
178.36%
Onion (1kg)
$2.58 NZ$4.25
$1.21 ΰΈΏ39.23
113.22%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.5 NZ$4.13
$0.72 ΰΈΏ23.2
247.22%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.29 NZ$2.12
$0.53 ΰΈΏ17.05
143.40%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$29.66 NZ$48.91
$4.72 ΰΈΏ153
528.39%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.11 NZ$16.67
$18.39 ΰΈΏ595
-45.02%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.2 NZ$5.28
$1.79 ΰΈΏ57.9
78.77%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.39 NZ$7.24
$3.21 ΰΈΏ104
36.76%
🚌 Getting Around
Nelson
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.38 NZ$3.92
$0.94 ΰΈΏ30.44
153.19%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$63.3 NZ$104
$18.9 ΰΈΏ612
234.81%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.25 NZ$7.01
$1.42 ΰΈΏ46.08
199.30%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.81 NZ$2.98
$1.35 ΰΈΏ43.53
34.07%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$35.25 NZ$58.1
$7.85 ΰΈΏ254
349.04%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.72 NZ$2.83
$1.25 ΰΈΏ40.4
37.60%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.6K NZ$30.7K
$21.2K ΰΈΏ684.9K
-12.09%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22K NZ$36.2K
$21.8K ΰΈΏ706.8K
0.54%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nelson
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$222 NZ$367
$70.6 ΰΈΏ2,285
214.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.1 NZ$59.5
$13.72 ΰΈΏ444
163.12%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$49.67 NZ$81.9
$17.56 ΰΈΏ568
182.86%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Nelson
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$48.98 NZ$80.8
$41.64 ΰΈΏ1,347
17.63%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.68 NZ$34.11
$6.9 ΰΈΏ223
199.71%
Cinema Ticket
$10.13 NZ$16.7
$5.8 ΰΈΏ188
74.66%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Nelson
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$473 NZ$780
$308 ΰΈΏ9,963
53.64%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.1K NZ$20K
$14.7K ΰΈΏ475.8K
-17.38%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Nelson
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.5 NZ$98.2
$55.4 ΰΈΏ1,793
7.42%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$66.8 NZ$110
$26.4 ΰΈΏ854
153.18%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$133 NZ$220
$85.1 ΰΈΏ2,755
56.61%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112 NZ$185
$71.8 ΰΈΏ2,323
55.98%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Nelson
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$967 NZ$1,594
$434 ΰΈΏ14K
122.65%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$749 NZ$1,235
$235 ΰΈΏ7,610
218.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,446 NZ$2,384
$821 ΰΈΏ26.6K
76.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,209 NZ$1,994
$498 ΰΈΏ16.1K
142.64%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,910 NZ$4,799
$2,180 ΰΈΏ70.6K
33.47%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,354 NZ$3,883
$1,543 ΰΈΏ49.9K
52.60%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Nelson
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,850 NZ$4,701
$703 ΰΈΏ22.8K
305.24%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.82
5
36.40%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Nelson: October 29, 2025

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 29, 2025

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