Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Port Sudan and Chiang Mai

For one person, living is cheaper in Port Sudan: $656 a month against $938 in Chiang Mai, rent and utilities included – about $3,400 less a year. The total is higher in Chiang Mai despite lower rent and utilities.

Port Sudan
🇸🇩 Sudan
$656
/mo nomad
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$938
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Port Sudan 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 Port Sudan and in Chiang Mai actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $656 per month in Port Sudan vs $938 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Port Sudan $656
  • Chiang Mai $938

A couple spends around $1,183 per month in Port Sudan vs $1,426 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Port Sudan $1,183
  • Chiang Mai $1,426

A family of three spends $1,710 per month in Port Sudan vs $1,914 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Port Sudan $1,710
  • Chiang Mai $1,914

Port Sudan is about 30% cheaper than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in clothing.

Both Port Sudan and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Port Sudan 51% lower, Chiang Mai 30% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Port Sudan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$2.26 ฿75.4
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$19.18 ฿641
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
-
$5.59 ฿187
-
Cappuccino
-
$1.72 ฿57.6
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.64 ฿21.54
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.33 ฿11.18
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.36 ฿78.7
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.90 ฿130
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Port Sudan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.34 SDG 799
$2.05 ฿68.6
-34.63%
White Bread (500g)
$0.86 SDG 513
$1.40 ฿46.70
-38.57%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.78 SDG 466
$1.28 ฿42.89
-39.06%
Eggs
$3.06 SDG 1,831
$2.25 ฿75.3
36.00%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.52 SDG 3,900
$16.94 ฿566
-61.51%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$16.07 SDG 9,621
$2.74 ฿91.6
486.50%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.15 SDG 8,470
$9.36 ฿313
51.18%
Apples (1kg)
$4.40 SDG 2,635
$2.40 ฿80.3
83.33%
Banana (1kg)
$2.09 SDG 1,251
$1.01 ฿33.92
106.93%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.64 SDG 983
$1.61 ฿53.9
1.86%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.66 SDG 3,986
$1.52 ฿50.7
338.16%
Potato (1kg)
$3.35 SDG 2,004
$1.28 ฿42.90
161.72%
Onion (1kg)
$1.71 SDG 1,022
$1.11 ฿37.22
54.05%
Lettuce (1 head)
-
$0.72 ฿24.09
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.52 ฿17.54
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
-
$4.33 ฿145
-
Wine (Bottle)
-
$17.73 ฿593
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.63 ฿54.4
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.85 ฿95.3
-
🚌 Getting Around
Port Sudan
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.33 SDG 199
$0.85 ฿28.31
-61.18%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$53.9 ฿1,801
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.06 SDG 1,231
$1.17 ฿39.18
76.07%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$0.57 ฿19.00
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$2.37 ฿79.2
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
-
$1.45 ฿48.32
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$20.5K ฿684.3K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$26.5K ฿886.1K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Port Sudan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
-
$62.3 ฿2,083
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.27 SDG 6,748
$12.27 ฿410
-8.15%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$19.97 ฿668
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Port Sudan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$37.91 ฿1,267
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$3.76 ฿126
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$6.71 ฿224
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Port Sudan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$28.56 SDG 17.1K
$797 ฿26.6K
-96.42%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$418 SDG 250.0K
$14.8K ฿495.7K
-97.18%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Port Sudan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$53.3 ฿1,780
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$25.05 ฿837
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$91.6 ฿3,062
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$73.5 ฿2,455
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Port Sudan
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$744 SDG 445.2K
$464 ฿15.5K
60.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$373 SDG 223.5K
$305 ฿10.2K
22.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,474 SDG 882.5K
$915 ฿30.6K
61.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,012 SDG 605.5K
$552 ฿18.5K
83.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,993 SDG 1.2M
$1,912 ฿63.9K
4.24%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,218 SDG 729.0K
$1,438 ฿48.1K
-15.32%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Port Sudan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$207 SDG 123.9K
$595 ฿19.9K
-65.22%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
0
5.57
-

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

Last update for Port Sudan: October 11, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 13, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Port Sudan
–
Chiang Mai
$305
Groceries & Markets
Port Sudan
–
Chiang Mai
$238
Clothing & Footwear
Port Sudan
–
Chiang Mai
$110
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Port Sudan
–
Chiang Mai
$95
Eating Out
Port Sudan
–
Chiang Mai
$79
Getting Around
Port Sudan
–
Chiang Mai
$61
Sport & Entertainment
Port Sudan
–
Chiang Mai
$51

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $744 in Port Sudan versus $464 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.

Salaries run about 188% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

Good to know
🇸🇩 Port Sudan
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🕒 Local time
02:16 2:16 AM
07:16 7:16 AM
5 h ahead of Port Sudan
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
489,000
127,240
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

THB, USD, EUR to SDG – Sudanese Pound Converter

Sudanese Pound exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 599 SDG (1,000 SDG = 1.67 USD). 1 EUR = 673 SDG (1,000 SDG = 1.49 EUR).

Thai Baht exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 33.42 THB (100 THB = 2.99 USD). 1 EUR = 37.57 THB (100 THB = 2.66 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Port Sudan Chiang Mai 6,450 km ≈ 9 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Port Sudan
  • 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
Port Sudan vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Port Sudan or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 43% more than Port Sudan, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from clothing. 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 Port Sudan and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $983 per month in Port Sudan and $1,408 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Port Sudan or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Port Sudan, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Port Sudan compared to Chiang Mai?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $656 in Port Sudan and $938 in Chiang Mai. That's a gap of about 43%.
Are groceries more expensive in Port Sudan or in Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 12% cheaper in Chiang Mai – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Port Sudan or in Chiang Mai?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Port Sudan, where all-in costs run around $656, than in Chiang Mai at $938. In Port Sudan it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Port Sudan or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Port Sudan costs $656 versus $938 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Port Sudan 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 – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Port Sudan or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Port Sudan. 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.

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