๐A single person spends $763 per month in Porto Velho vs $845 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $1,215 per month in Porto Velho vs $1,323 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $1,667 per month in Porto Velho vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐Porto Velho is about 10% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
๐Both Porto Velho and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median โ Porto Velho43% lower, Chiang Mai37% lower.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Porto Velho
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.58R$22.77
$1.95เธฟ62.8
134.87%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$26.44R$131
$18.43เธฟ594
43.46%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.80R$28.84
$7.50เธฟ241
-22.67%
Cappuccino
$1.65R$8.20
$1.93เธฟ62.3
-14.51%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.14R$5.66
$0.78เธฟ25.08
46.15%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36R$1.80
$0.32เธฟ10.42
12.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.76R$8.76
$2.15เธฟ69.2
-18.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64R$13.14
$3.71เธฟ120
-28.84%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Porto Velho
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.96R$4.76
$1.71เธฟ55.2
-43.86%
White Bread(500g)
$1.52R$7.54
$1.56เธฟ50.3
-2.56%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18R$5.85
$1.18เธฟ38.06
-
Eggs
$1.95R$9.68
$1.98เธฟ63.9
-1.52%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.02R$39.84
$16.04เธฟ517
-50.00%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.58R$17.77
$3.17เธฟ102
12.93%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.41R$36.83
$10.94เธฟ353
-32.27%
Apples(1kg)
$2.12R$10.52
$2.63เธฟ84.7
-19.39%
Banana(1kg)
$1.25R$6.21
$1.17เธฟ37.61
6.84%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.15R$5.70
$1.65เธฟ53.0
-30.30%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.46R$7.26
$1.54เธฟ49.51
-5.19%
Potato(1kg)
$1.20R$5.96
$1.38เธฟ44.34
-13.04%
Onion(1kg)
$1.10R$5.47
$1.17เธฟ37.54
-5.98%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.70R$3.49
$0.66เธฟ21.25
6.06%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66R$3.26
$0.51เธฟ16.55
29.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.15R$10.68
$4.52เธฟ146
-52.43%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.38R$41.66
$18.32เธฟ590
-54.26%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.27R$6.34
$1.80เธฟ57.9
-29.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.00R$9.95
$3.18เธฟ102
-37.11%
๐ Getting Around
Porto Velho
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.92R$4.56
$0.90เธฟ28.97
2.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$38.61R$192
$19.00เธฟ612
103.21%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.11R$5.49
$1.41เธฟ45.50
-21.28%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.76R$3.76
$1.31เธฟ42.15
-41.98%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.47R$32.14
$8.09เธฟ261
-20.02%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.09R$5.42
$1.28เธฟ41.08
-14.84%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.0KR$104.3K
$21.3Kเธฟ686.1K
-1.44%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.0KR$139.4K
$21.7Kเธฟ699.3K
29.19%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Porto Velho
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$61.3R$305
$69.2เธฟ2,230
-11.40%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.43R$66.7
$13.97เธฟ450
-3.87%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.13R$95.1
$17.95เธฟ578
6.57%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Porto Velho
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$22.13R$110
$42.31เธฟ1,363
-47.70%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.74R$108
$6.66เธฟ214
226.43%
Cinema Ticket
$6.41R$31.86
$5.92เธฟ191
8.28%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Porto Velho
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$268R$1,332
$299เธฟ9,640
-10.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,443R$32.0K
$14.8Kเธฟ478.4K
-56.61%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Porto Velho
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.00R$244
$56.2เธฟ1,810
-12.80%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.71R$207
$26.94เธฟ868
54.83%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$77.1R$383
$84.9เธฟ2,735
-9.18%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$64.1R$319
$71.8เธฟ2,314
-10.75%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Porto Velho
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$321R$1,596
$435เธฟ14.0K
-26.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$218R$1,084
$240เธฟ7,727
-9.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$588R$2,922
$798เธฟ25.7K
-26.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$425R$2,114
$498เธฟ16.1K
-14.67%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,918R$9,531
$1,995เธฟ64.3K
-3.89%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,018R$5,061
$1,532เธฟ49.4K
-33.52%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Porto Velho
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$419R$2,084
$628เธฟ20.2K
-33.27%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.92
5
118.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Porto Velho: April 22, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $321 in Porto Velho versus $435 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.
๐ฐSalaries run about 50% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $26 in Porto Velho versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story โ $175 in Porto Velho vs $244 in Chiang Mai โ so Porto Velho 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
Porto Velho vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Porto Velho or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 11% more than Porto Velho, 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 Porto Velho vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,145 per month in Porto Velho and $1,267 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Porto Velho or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Porto Velho, 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 Porto Velho and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $268 per month in Porto Velho 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 Porto Velho or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 39% 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 $800/month in Porto Velho or Chiang Mai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably โ all-in costs are $763 in Porto Velho and $845 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Porto Velho or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Porto Velho costs $763 versus $845 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Porto Velho 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 Porto Velho or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Porto Velho. 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.
Porto Velho vs other spots: cost of living compared