๐A single person spends $414 per month in Paysandรบ vs $866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $730 per month in Paysandรบ vs $1,351 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $1,047 per month in Paysandรบ vs $1,835 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐Paysandรบ is about 52% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
๐Both Paysandรบ and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median โ Paysandรบ69% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Paysandรบ
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.95UYUย 803
$1.94เธฟ63.8
928.35%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$36.56UYUย 1,472
$18.64เธฟ611
96.14%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.82UYUย 436
$7.82เธฟ256
38.36%
Cappuccino
$3.68UYUย 148
$1.95เธฟ64.1
88.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.73UYUย 69.5
$0.85เธฟ27.90
103.53%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.31UYUย 52.9
$0.35เธฟ11.64
274.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.88UYUย 156
$2.13เธฟ69.9
82.16%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.73เธฟ122
-
๐ Groceries & Markets
Paysandรบ
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.03UYUย 41.51
$1.71เธฟ56.2
-39.77%
White Bread(500g)
-
$1.63เธฟ53.4
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
-
$1.14เธฟ37.32
-
Eggs
$1.97UYUย 79.4
$1.93เธฟ63.4
2.07%
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$16.21เธฟ532
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$3.12เธฟ102
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$10.90เธฟ357
-
Apples(1kg)
-
$2.75เธฟ90.4
-
Banana(1kg)
-
$1.21เธฟ39.70
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$1.62เธฟ53.2
-
Tomato(1kg)
$3.17UYUย 128
$1.59เธฟ52.1
99.37%
Potato(1kg)
-
$1.40เธฟ45.91
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$1.17เธฟ38.34
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$0.66เธฟ21.70
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.73UYUย 69.5
$0.53เธฟ17.30
226.42%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$4.69เธฟ154
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$18.66เธฟ612
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.80เธฟ59.0
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.23เธฟ106
-
๐ Getting Around
Paysandรบ
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.19UYUย 48.07
$0.90เธฟ29.39
32.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$44.35UYUย 1,785
$19.21เธฟ630
130.87%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.49UYUย 59.9
$1.41เธฟ46.13
5.67%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.50UYUย 60.3
$1.29เธฟ42.31
16.28%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$11.21UYUย 451
$7.84เธฟ257
42.98%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.15UYUย 86.6
$1.27เธฟ41.77
69.29%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.1KUYUย 1.6M
$21.3Kเธฟ698.1K
83.85%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.6KUYUย 1.6M
$22.2Kเธฟ728.8K
73.90%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Paysandรบ
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$69.1เธฟ2,266
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$14.08เธฟ462
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$18.00เธฟ591
-
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Paysandรบ
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$34.42UYUย 1,386
$41.06เธฟ1,347
-16.17%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.96เธฟ228
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$5.92เธฟ194
-
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Paysandรบ
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$299เธฟ9,811
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$15.0Kเธฟ490.6K
-
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Paysandรบ
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$54.7เธฟ1,795
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$26.77เธฟ878
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$85.0เธฟ2,788
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$70.6เธฟ2,316
-
๐ Accommodation & Living
Paysandรบ
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$428เธฟ14.0K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$237เธฟ7,787
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$801เธฟ26.3K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$515เธฟ16.9K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$1,975เธฟ64.8K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,475เธฟ48.4K
-
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Paysandรบ
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$617เธฟ20.3K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
5
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Paysandรบ: June 1, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $37.00 in Paysandรบ versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story โ $55.0 in Paysandรบ vs $246 in Chiang Mai โ so Paysandรบ 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
Paysandรบ vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Paysandรบ or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 109% more than Paysandรบ, 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 Paysandรบ vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $620 per month in Paysandรบ and $1,300 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
How expensive is transport in Paysandรบ vs Chiang Mai?
Public transport costs about 131% less in Paysandรบ. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Are groceries more expensive in Paysandรบ or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 350% more in Chiang Mai, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,200/month in Paysandรบ or Chiang Mai?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably โ all-in costs are $414 in Paysandรบ and $866 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Paysandรบ or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Paysandรบ costs $414 versus $866 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Paysandรบ 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 โ central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Paysandรบ or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Paysandรบ. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chiang Mai makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.