πA single person spends $1,017 per month in Ordu vs $866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,527 per month in Ordu vs $1,351 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,036 per month in Ordu vs $1,835 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πOrdu costs about 17% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Ordu and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median β Ordu24% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Ordu
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.25βΊ287
$1.94ΰΈΏ63.5
222.16%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$21.69βΊ996
$18.64ΰΈΏ609
16.36%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.19βΊ239
$7.82ΰΈΏ255
-33.63%
Cappuccino
$3.06βΊ141
$1.95ΰΈΏ63.8
56.92%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.66βΊ30.13
$0.85ΰΈΏ27.77
-22.35%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21βΊ9.50
$0.35ΰΈΏ11.58
-40.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.94βΊ89.0
$2.13ΰΈΏ69.6
-8.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.57βΊ118
$3.73ΰΈΏ122
-31.10%
π Groceries & Markets
Ordu
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.61βΊ28.08
$1.71ΰΈΏ56.0
-64.33%
White Bread(500g)
$0.31βΊ14.16
$1.63ΰΈΏ53.2
-80.98%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.19βΊ101
$1.14ΰΈΏ37.15
92.11%
Eggs
$1.86βΊ85.3
$1.93ΰΈΏ63.1
-3.63%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.78βΊ450
$16.21ΰΈΏ530
-39.67%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.19βΊ239
$3.12ΰΈΏ102
66.35%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.46βΊ573
$10.90ΰΈΏ356
14.31%
Apples(1kg)
$1.31βΊ60.0
$2.75ΰΈΏ90.0
-52.36%
Banana(1kg)
$2.17βΊ99.6
$1.21ΰΈΏ39.52
79.34%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.06βΊ48.61
$1.62ΰΈΏ53.0
-34.57%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.26βΊ58.1
$1.59ΰΈΏ51.8
-20.75%
Potato(1kg)
$0.74βΊ34.15
$1.40ΰΈΏ45.70
-47.14%
Onion(1kg)
$0.61βΊ28.01
$1.17ΰΈΏ38.17
-47.86%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.92βΊ42.19
$0.66ΰΈΏ21.60
39.39%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52βΊ24.01
$0.53ΰΈΏ17.22
-1.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.05βΊ94.1
$4.69ΰΈΏ153
-56.29%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.52βΊ438
$18.66ΰΈΏ609
-48.98%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.09βΊ95.9
$1.80ΰΈΏ58.8
16.11%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00βΊ138
$3.23ΰΈΏ106
-7.12%
π Getting Around
Ordu
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.64βΊ29.62
$0.90ΰΈΏ29.26
-28.89%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$30.56βΊ1,404
$19.21ΰΈΏ628
59.08%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.10βΊ50.4
$1.41ΰΈΏ45.91
-21.99%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.66βΊ30.33
$1.29ΰΈΏ42.12
-48.84%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.43βΊ341
$7.84ΰΈΏ256
-5.23%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.17βΊ53.6
$1.27ΰΈΏ41.58
-7.87%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$43.3KβΊ2.0M
$21.3KΰΈΏ694.9K
103.46%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$43.8KβΊ2.0M
$22.2KΰΈΏ725.4K
97.02%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ordu
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$68.5βΊ3,146
$69.1ΰΈΏ2,256
-0.88%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.47βΊ343
$14.08ΰΈΏ460
-46.95%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$10.32βΊ474
$18.00ΰΈΏ588
-42.67%
π Sport & Entertainment
Ordu
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.45βΊ1,169
$41.06ΰΈΏ1,341
-38.02%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.96ΰΈΏ227
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.14βΊ236
$5.92ΰΈΏ193
-13.18%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Ordu
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$603βΊ27.7K
$299ΰΈΏ9,766
101.60%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,938βΊ410.7K
$15.0KΰΈΏ488.3K
-40.22%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Ordu
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.2βΊ2,350
$54.7ΰΈΏ1,787
-6.49%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.17βΊ2,029
$26.77ΰΈΏ874
65.00%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102βΊ4,670
$85.0ΰΈΏ2,776
19.60%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$89.2βΊ4,098
$70.6ΰΈΏ2,306
26.33%
π Accommodation & Living
Ordu
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$509βΊ23.4K
$428ΰΈΏ14.0K
18.93%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$393βΊ18.1K
$237ΰΈΏ7,752
65.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$905βΊ41.6K
$801ΰΈΏ26.2K
12.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$709βΊ32.6K
$515ΰΈΏ16.8K
37.46%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$888βΊ40.8K
$1,975ΰΈΏ64.5K
-55.01%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$685βΊ31.5K
$1,475ΰΈΏ48.2K
-53.53%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Ordu
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,284βΊ59.0K
$617ΰΈΏ20.2K
107.92%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
36.83
5
636.60%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ordu: May 31, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $509 in Ordu versus $428 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 108% higher in Ordu, 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 $22.00 in Ordu versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story β $197 in Ordu vs $246 in Chiang Mai β so Ordu 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
Ordu vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ordu or Chiang Mai?
Ordu costs about 17% 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.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Ordu vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,526 per month in Ordu and $1,300 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Ordu 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 Ordu and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $603 per month in Ordu and $299 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 Ordu or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 25% cheaper in Ordu 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 Ordu or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $866, than in Ordu at $1,017. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ordu it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Ordu or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $866 versus $1,017 in Ordu. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Ordu 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 Ordu or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Ordu makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.