Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chiang Mai

For one person, living is cheaper in Chiang Mai: $936 a month against $1,019 in Prachuap Khiri Khan, rent and utilities included – about $1,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Prachuap Khiri Khan
🇹🇭 Thailand
$1,019
/mo nomad
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$936
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

A single person spends $1,019 per month in Prachuap Khiri Khan vs $936 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Prachuap Khiri Khan $1,019
  • Chiang Mai $936

A couple spends around $1,663 per month in Prachuap Khiri Khan vs $1,457 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Prachuap Khiri Khan $1,663
  • Chiang Mai $1,457

A family of three spends $2,307 per month in Prachuap Khiri Khan vs $1,979 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Prachuap Khiri Khan $2,307
  • Chiang Mai $1,979

Prachuap Khiri Khan costs about 9% more than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Prachuap Khiri Khan 25% lower, Chiang Mai 31% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Prachuap Khiri Khan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.21 ฿40.87
$2.24 ฿75.7
-45.98%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$36.43 ฿1,230
$19.00 ฿642
91.74%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.24 ฿245
$5.55 ฿188
30.45%
Cappuccino
$2.82 ฿95.1
$1.67 ฿56.6
68.86%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.47 ฿15.85
$0.64 ฿21.56
-26.56%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.20 ฿6.74
$0.31 ฿10.32
-35.48%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.61 ฿88.3
$2.36 ฿79.6
10.59%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.34 ฿147
$3.66 ฿124
18.58%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Prachuap Khiri Khan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.83 ฿61.7
$1.95 ฿65.8
-6.15%
White Bread (500g)
$1.48 ฿49.83
$1.44 ฿48.51
2.78%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.39 ฿46.95
$1.33 ฿45.07
4.51%
Eggs
$2.58 ฿87.0
$2.28 ฿77.1
13.16%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.39 ฿587
$16.45 ฿556
5.71%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.58 ฿121
$2.78 ฿94.0
28.78%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.08 ฿442
$9.31 ฿314
40.49%
Apples (1kg)
$3.74 ฿126
$2.35 ฿79.5
59.15%
Banana (1kg)
$1.77 ฿59.7
$0.97 ฿32.82
82.47%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.69 ฿90.9
$1.60 ฿53.9
68.12%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.88 ฿63.4
$1.50 ฿50.7
25.33%
Potato (1kg)
$1.72 ฿58.0
$1.28 ฿43.15
34.37%
Onion (1kg)
$1.55 ฿52.4
$1.10 ฿37.22
40.91%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.23 ฿41.43
$0.71 ฿23.84
73.24%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51 ฿17.18
$0.49 ฿16.38
4.08%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.90 ฿166
$4.14 ฿140
18.36%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.64 ฿494
$17.52 ฿592
-16.44%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76 ฿59.4
$1.61 ฿54.5
9.32%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.22 ฿109
$2.78 ฿94.0
15.83%
🚌 Getting Around
Prachuap Khiri Khan
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.93 ฿31.47
$0.87 ฿29.33
6.90%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$54.1 ฿1,827
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.02 ฿34.45
$1.16 ฿39.08
-12.07%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.21 ฿40.99
$0.53 ฿17.82
128.30%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.11 ฿206
$2.42 ฿81.8
152.48%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.36 ฿45.87
$1.45 ฿48.93
-6.21%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.7K ฿1.1M
$21.1K ฿711.2K
50.43%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.0K ฿912.3K
$26.9K ฿909.8K
0.28%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Prachuap Khiri Khan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$106 ฿3,575
$62.2 ฿2,100
70.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.63 ฿494
$12.17 ฿411
20.21%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.87 ฿603
$20.12 ฿680
-11.18%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Prachuap Khiri Khan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$46.75 ฿1,579
$37.31 ฿1,260
25.30%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.48 ฿455
$3.77 ฿127
257.56%
Cinema Ticket
$7.46 ฿252
$6.49 ฿219
14.95%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Prachuap Khiri Khan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$565 ฿19.1K
$736 ฿24.9K
-23.19%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.8K ฿568.1K
$14.8K ฿498.6K
13.93%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Prachuap Khiri Khan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.7 ฿2,388
$53.4 ฿1,802
32.51%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.45 ฿1,433
$24.64 ฿832
72.28%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$97.7 ฿3,299
$91.5 ฿3,089
6.78%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106 ฿3,565
$71.9 ฿2,429
46.75%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Prachuap Khiri Khan
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$426 ฿14.4K
$482 ฿16.3K
-11.76%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$305 ฿10.3K
$309 ฿10.4K
-1.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,134 ฿38.3K
$1,006 ฿34.0K
12.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$702 ฿23.7K
$633 ฿21.4K
10.86%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,950 ฿65.8K
$2,363 ฿79.8K
-17.50%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,437 ฿48.5K
$1,589 ฿53.7K
-9.55%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Prachuap Khiri Khan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$392 ฿13.2K
$590 ฿19.9K
-33.54%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5
5.57
-10.23%

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

Last update for Prachuap Khiri Khan: October 26, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Prachuap Khiri Khan
$305
Chiang Mai
$309 1.3% $4
Groceries & Markets
Prachuap Khiri Khan
$272
Chiang Mai
$234 13.7% $37
Clothing & Footwear
Prachuap Khiri Khan
$142
Chiang Mai
$109 23.7% $34
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Prachuap Khiri Khan
$138
Chiang Mai
$94 31.7% $44
Eating Out
Prachuap Khiri Khan
$90
Chiang Mai
$78 13.5% $12
Sport & Entertainment
Prachuap Khiri Khan
$62
Chiang Mai
$50 18.5% $11
Getting Around
Prachuap Khiri Khan
$11 *
Chiang Mai
$61 467% $51

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $426 in Prachuap Khiri Khan versus $482 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 50% higher in Chiang Mai, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $36 in Prachuap Khiri Khan versus $19 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $272 vs $234 – making Chiang Mai the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Prachuap Khiri Khan
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🕒 Local time
19:13 7:13 PM
19:13 7:13 PM
Same time as Prachuap Khiri Khan
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
26,926
127,240
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 33.77 THB (100 THB = 2.96 USD). 1 EUR = 37.58 THB (100 THB = 2.66 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Prachuap Khiri Khan Chiang Mai 780 km ≈ 1 h 30 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Prachuap Khiri Khan
  • 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
Prachuap Khiri Khan vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Prachuap Khiri Khan or Chiang Mai?
Prachuap Khiri Khan costs about 9% more than Chiang Mai, 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 Prachuap Khiri Khan and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,529 per month in Prachuap Khiri Khan 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, Prachuap Khiri Khan or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Prachuap Khiri Khan, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $426 there versus $482 in Chiang Mai.
How do dining costs compare in Prachuap Khiri Khan and in Chiang Mai?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $36 in Prachuap Khiri Khan and $19 in Chiang Mai. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Prachuap Khiri Khan or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 16% more in Prachuap Khiri Khan, 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 Prachuap Khiri Khan or in Chiang Mai?
$800 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $1,019 in Prachuap Khiri Khan and $936 in Chiang Mai. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Prachuap Khiri Khan or Chiang Mai?
It depends on your priorities. Chiang Mai has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $936 in Chiang Mai to $1,019 in Prachuap Khiri Khan. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How safe is Prachuap Khiri Khan 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.

Prachuap Khiri Khan vs other spots: cost of living compared

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