Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Pasto and Chiang Mai

For one person, living is cheaper in Pasto: $800 a month against $935 in Chiang Mai, rent and utilities included – about $1,600 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Pasto, Colombia
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Pasto
🇨🇴 Colombia
$800
/mo nomad
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$935
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Pasto and in Chiang Mai

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Pasto and in Chiang Mai actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $800 per month in Pasto vs $935 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Pasto $800
  • Chiang Mai $935

A couple spends around $1,216 per month in Pasto vs $1,467 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Pasto $1,216
  • Chiang Mai $1,467

A family of three spends $1,632 per month in Pasto vs $1,999 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Pasto $1,632
  • Chiang Mai $1,999

Pasto is about 14% cheaper than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Pasto and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Pasto 41% lower, Chiang Mai 31% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Pasto
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.92 COP 12.7K
$2.13 ฿72.0
84.04%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.47 COP 75.8K
$18.62 ฿628
26.05%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.35 COP 23.7K
$5.60 ฿189
31.25%
Cappuccino
$1.51 COP 4,887
$1.66 ฿56.1
-9.04%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.89 COP 2,863
$0.65 ฿21.83
36.92%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.61 COP 1,975
$0.30 ฿10.29
103.33%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.16 COP 3,731
$2.32 ฿78.4
-50.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17 COP 6,993
$3.67 ฿124
-40.87%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Pasto
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.05 COP 3,387
$2.02 ฿68.0
-48.02%
White Bread (500g)
$1.30 COP 4,185
$1.41 ฿47.51
-7.80%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.19 COP 3,853
$1.39 ฿46.96
-14.39%
Eggs
$2.15 COP 6,927
$2.37 ฿79.9
-9.28%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.59 COP 14.8K
$16.52 ฿557
-72.22%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.44 COP 17.6K
$2.67 ฿90.1
103.75%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.44 COP 24.0K
$9.02 ฿304
-17.52%
Apples (1kg)
$2.47 COP 7,988
$2.40 ฿80.9
2.92%
Banana (1kg)
$1.09 COP 3,505
$1.04 ฿35.13
4.81%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.31 COP 4,216
$1.66 ฿56.0
-21.08%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.11 COP 3,587
$1.56 ฿52.6
-28.85%
Potato (1kg)
$1.17 COP 3,783
$1.24 ฿41.76
-5.65%
Onion (1kg)
$1.16 COP 3,750
$1.09 ฿36.66
6.42%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.88 COP 2,845
$0.76 ฿25.70
15.79%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.70 COP 2,250
$0.51 ฿17.35
37.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.34 COP 7,543
$4.12 ฿139
-43.20%
Wine (Bottle)
$9.77 COP 31.5K
$17.93 ฿605
-45.51%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.08 COP 3,503
$1.62 ฿54.8
-33.33%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.70 COP 5,486
$2.82 ฿95.2
-39.72%
🚌 Getting Around
Pasto
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.72 COP 2,319
$0.93 ฿31.53
-22.58%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$29.47 COP 95.1K
$52.9 ฿1,785
-44.28%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.43 COP 4,629
$1.18 ฿39.70
21.19%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.71 COP 5,524
$0.17 ฿5.79
905.88%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.01 COP 19.4K
$1.81 ฿61.1
232.04%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.01 COP 3,260
$1.47 ฿49.69
-31.29%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.2K COP 58.7M
$21.0K ฿708.9K
-13.53%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.8K COP 83.1M
$26.5K ฿894.6K
-2.87%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pasto
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$82.5 COP 266.2K
$62.6 ฿2,111
31.81%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.84 COP 28.5K
$11.60 ฿392
-23.79%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.93 COP 74.0K
$20.30 ฿685
12.96%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Pasto
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$23.51 COP 75.9K
$37.88 ฿1,278
-37.94%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$3.70 ฿125
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.92 COP 12.6K
$6.51 ฿220
-39.78%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Pasto
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$239 COP 773.2K
$727 ฿24.5K
-67.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,979 COP 19.3M
$16.6K ฿559.2K
-63.93%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Pasto
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.1 COP 193.9K
$53.5 ฿1,807
12.20%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.73 COP 105.7K
$24.80 ฿837
31.98%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$81.9 COP 264.3K
$90.4 ฿3,050
-9.44%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.4 COP 230.5K
$72.0 ฿2,428
-0.79%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Pasto
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$272 COP 876.9K
$481 ฿16.2K
-43.55%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$238 COP 769.4K
$310 ฿10.5K
-23.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$535 COP 1.7M
$1,058 ฿35.7K
-49.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$424 COP 1.4M
$659 ฿22.2K
-35.59%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,447 COP 4.7M
$2,418 ฿81.6K
-40.16%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,087 COP 3.5M
$1,609 ฿54.3K
-32.44%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Pasto
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$595 ฿20.1K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.06
5.57
134.47%

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

Last update for Pasto: November 3, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: November 1, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Pasto
$238
Chiang Mai
$310 30.1% $72
Groceries & Markets
Pasto
$176
Chiang Mai
$237 34.6% $61
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pasto
$114
Chiang Mai
$94 17.3% $20
Clothing & Footwear
Pasto
$111
Chiang Mai
$108 2.2% $2.4
Eating Out
Pasto
$88
Chiang Mai
$77 12.6% $11
Getting Around
Pasto
$42
Chiang Mai
$59 38.6% $16
Sport & Entertainment
Pasto
$31
Chiang Mai
$51 62.4% $20

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $272 in Pasto versus $481 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $23 in Pasto versus $19 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $176 in Pasto vs $237 in Chiang Mai – so Pasto wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇨🇴 Pasto
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🕒 Local time
04:10 4:10 AM
16:10 4:10 PM
12 h ahead of Pasto
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
392,930
127,240
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

THB, USD, EUR to COP – Colombian Peso Converter

Colombian Peso exchange rates as of November 4, 2026: 1 USD = 3,229 COP (10,000 COP = 3.1 USD). 1 EUR = 3,619 COP (10,000 COP = 2.76 EUR).

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 4, 2026: 1 USD = 33.74 THB (100 THB = 2.96 USD). 1 EUR = 37.83 THB (100 THB = 2.64 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Pasto Chiang Mai 17,750 km ≈ 23 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Pasto
  • Chiang Mai

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Pasto vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Pasto or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 17% more than Pasto, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. 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 Pasto and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,201 per month in Pasto and $1,403 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Pasto or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Pasto, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $272 there versus $481 in Chiang Mai.
How do childcare costs compare in Pasto and in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $239 per month in Pasto and $727 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 Pasto or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 35% more in Chiang Mai, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $1,200/month in Pasto or in Chiang Mai?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $800 in Pasto and $935 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Pasto – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Pasto compared to Chiang Mai?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.

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