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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,156 per month in Oistins vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,719 per month in Oistins vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,281 per month in Oistins vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Oistins costs about 36% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Oistins and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Oistins 14% lower, Chiang Mai 36% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.68 BBD 39.36

$1.96 ฿64.0

904.08%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.81 ฿615

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.92 ฿259

Cappuccino

$5.84 BBD 11.67

$1.91 ฿62.6

205.76%

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

$1.28 BBD 2.57

$0.84 ฿27.41

52.38%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.51

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 ฿72.1

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.80 ฿124

Milk (1 liter)

$2.94 BBD 5.87

$1.64 ฿53.5

79.27%

White Bread (500g)

$1.62 ฿53.1

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.18 ฿38.62

Eggs

$2.01 ฿65.8

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.89 ฿520

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.01 ฿98.5

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.77 ฿352

Apples (1kg)

$2.61 ฿85.5

Banana (1kg)

$1.22 ฿39.88

Oranges (1kg)

$1.70 ฿55.7

Tomato (1kg)

$1.58 ฿51.5

Potato (1kg)

$1.32 ฿43.14

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ฿38.23

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 ฿21.98

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ฿18.32

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.53 ฿148

Wine (Bottle)

$18.20 ฿595

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.83 ฿60.0

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.23 ฿106

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.74 BBD 3.48

$0.89 ฿29.00

95.51%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.38 ฿634

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.35 ฿44.20

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.35 ฿44.05

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.25 ฿270

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.94 BBD 3.88

$1.27 ฿41.64

52.76%

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

$21.2K ฿691.8K

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

$22.5K ฿735.3K

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

$70.2 ฿2,294

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

$13.77 ฿450

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$46.98 BBD 94.0

$17.60 ฿575

166.93%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$50.9 BBD 102

$41.57 ฿1,360

22.32%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.60 ฿216

Cinema Ticket

$5.78 ฿189

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

$306 ฿10.0K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.8K ฿484.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.0 BBD 102

$54.4 ฿1,778

-6.29%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.14 ฿855

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.5 ฿2,764

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$69.4 ฿2,270

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$424 ฿13.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$752 BBD 1,504

$238 ฿7,788

215.78%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$825 ฿27.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,497 BBD 2,993

$515 ฿16.8K

190.50%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,049 ฿67.0K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,523 ฿49.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$635 ฿20.8K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

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

Last update for Oistins: April 25, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026

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

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

Oistins costs about 36% 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 $1,735 per month in Oistins and $1,278 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 $1,156 in Oistins and $852 in Chiang Mai. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Interestingly, groceries are about 728% cheaper in Oistins – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $1,156 in Oistins and $852 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $1,156 in Oistins. 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, Oistins makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.