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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,471 per month in Norsup vs $866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,254 per month in Norsup vs $1,351 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,037 per month in Norsup vs $1,835 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Norsup costs about 301% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Norsup sits 159% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 35% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.94 ฿63.5

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.64 ฿609

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.82 ฿255

Cappuccino

$1.95 ฿63.8

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.85 ฿27.77

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.58

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.13 ฿69.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 ฿122

Milk (1 liter)

$4.31 VUV 497

$1.71 ฿56.0

152.05%

White Bread (500g)

$4.30 VUV 494

$1.63 ฿53.2

163.80%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.27 VUV 492

$1.14 ฿37.15

274.56%

Eggs

$5.19 VUV 597

$1.93 ฿63.1

168.91%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.53 VUV 1,443

$16.21 ฿530

-22.70%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.34 VUV 960

$3.12 ฿102

167.31%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.22 VUV 1,752

$10.90 ฿356

39.63%

Apples (1kg)

$4.27 VUV 492

$2.75 ฿90.0

55.27%

Banana (1kg)

$4.13 VUV 475

$1.21 ฿39.52

241.32%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.29 VUV 494

$1.62 ฿53.0

164.81%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.11 VUV 473

$1.59 ฿51.8

158.49%

Potato (1kg)

$4.26 VUV 490

$1.40 ฿45.70

204.29%

Onion (1kg)

$4.19 VUV 483

$1.17 ฿38.17

258.12%

Lettuce (1 head)

$4.23 VUV 487

$0.66 ฿21.60

540.91%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.19 VUV 252

$0.53 ฿17.22

313.21%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.52 VUV 1,901

$4.69 ฿153

252.24%

Wine (Bottle)

$16.79 VUV 1,932

$18.66 ฿609

-10.02%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.13 VUV 475

$1.80 ฿58.8

129.44%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.23 VUV 487

$3.23 ฿106

30.96%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.90 ฿29.26

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.21 ฿628

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.41 ฿45.91

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.29 ฿42.12

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.84 ฿256

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 ฿41.58

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$21.3K ฿694.9K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$22.2K ฿725.4K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$69.1 ฿2,256

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$14.08 ฿460

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.00 ฿588

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.06 ฿1,341

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.96 ฿227

Cinema Ticket

$5.92 ฿193

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$299 ฿9,766

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.0K ฿488.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.7 ฿1,787

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.77 ฿874

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.0 ฿2,776

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$70.6 ฿2,306

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$428 ฿14.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,907 VUV 334.6K

$237 ฿7,752

1124.80%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$801 ฿26.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$515 ฿16.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,975 ฿64.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,475 ฿48.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$295 VUV 34.0K

$617 ฿20.2K

-52.23%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Norsup: May 31, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 109% higher in Chiang Mai, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

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

Norsup vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Norsup costs about 301% 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.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,206 per month in Norsup and $1,300 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $3,471 in Norsup and $866 in Chiang Mai. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 87% more in Norsup, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $3,471 in Norsup and $866 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $866 versus $3,471 in Norsup. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Norsup makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.