Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Pucallpa and Chiang Mai

For one person, living is cheaper in Pucallpa: $506 a month against $936 in Chiang Mai, rent and utilities included – about $5,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Pucallpa, Peru
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Pucallpa
🇵🇪 Peru
$506
/mo nomad
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$936
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

A single person spends $506 per month in Pucallpa vs $936 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Pucallpa $506
  • Chiang Mai $936

A couple spends around $833 per month in Pucallpa vs $1,457 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Pucallpa $833
  • Chiang Mai $1,457

A family of three spends $1,159 per month in Pucallpa vs $1,979 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Pucallpa $1,159
  • Chiang Mai $1,979

Pucallpa is about 46% cheaper than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Both Pucallpa and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Pucallpa 63% lower, Chiang Mai 31% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Pucallpa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.33 PEN 8.04
$2.24 ฿75.7
4.02%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.69 PEN 40.29
$19.00 ฿642
-38.47%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.13 PEN 17.69
$5.55 ฿188
-7.57%
Cappuccino
$1.98 PEN 6.84
$1.67 ฿56.6
18.56%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.99 PEN 3.42
$0.64 ฿21.56
54.69%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.28 PEN 0.95
$0.31 ฿10.32
-9.68%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.70 PEN 5.85
$2.36 ฿79.6
-27.97%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.36 PEN 8.13
$3.66 ฿124
-35.52%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Pucallpa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.01 PEN 3.50
$1.95 ฿65.8
-48.21%
White Bread (500g)
$3.66 PEN 12.61
$1.44 ฿48.51
154.17%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.18 PEN 4.08
$1.33 ฿45.07
-11.28%
Eggs
$1.78 PEN 6.15
$2.28 ฿77.1
-21.93%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$1.99 PEN 6.87
$16.45 ฿556
-87.90%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.17 PEN 14.38
$2.78 ฿94.0
50.00%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$3.39 PEN 11.67
$9.31 ฿314
-63.59%
Apples (1kg)
$2.38 PEN 8.22
$2.35 ฿79.5
1.28%
Banana (1kg)
$1.42 PEN 4.89
$0.97 ฿32.82
46.39%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.48 PEN 5.09
$1.60 ฿53.9
-7.50%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.65 PEN 9.15
$1.50 ฿50.7
76.67%
Potato (1kg)
$2.84 PEN 9.78
$1.28 ฿43.15
121.87%
Onion (1kg)
$2.02 PEN 6.95
$1.10 ฿37.22
83.64%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.36 PEN 8.13
$0.71 ฿23.84
232.39%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.01 PEN 3.47
$0.49 ฿16.38
106.12%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.60 PEN 15.86
$4.14 ฿140
11.11%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.99 PEN 27.56
$17.52 ฿592
-54.39%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.29 PEN 7.88
$1.61 ฿54.5
42.24%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.43 PEN 11.82
$2.78 ฿94.0
23.38%
🚌 Getting Around
Pucallpa
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.19 PEN 4.10
$0.87 ฿29.33
36.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$54.1 ฿1,827
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.42 PEN 4.90
$1.16 ฿39.08
22.41%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.59 PEN 2.05
$0.53 ฿17.82
11.32%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$2.42 ฿81.8
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.28 PEN 4.41
$1.45 ฿48.93
-11.72%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$21.1K ฿711.2K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$26.9K ฿909.8K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pucallpa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$52.5 PEN 181
$62.2 ฿2,100
-15.54%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.19 PEN 121
$12.17 ฿411
189.15%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$44.14 PEN 152
$20.12 ฿680
119.38%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Pucallpa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$37.31 ฿1,260
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$3.77 ฿127
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$6.49 ฿219
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Pucallpa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$736 ฿24.9K
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$14.8K ฿498.6K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Pucallpa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.9 PEN 182
$53.4 ฿1,802
-0.92%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.26 PEN 122
$24.64 ฿832
43.10%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$34.67 PEN 120
$91.5 ฿3,089
-62.10%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$67.0 PEN 231
$71.9 ฿2,429
-6.83%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Pucallpa
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$116 PEN 398
$482 ฿16.3K
-76.04%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$309 ฿10.4K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$236 PEN 813
$1,006 ฿34.0K
-76.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$126 PEN 435
$633 ฿21.4K
-80.07%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$2,363 ฿79.8K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,589 ฿53.7K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Pucallpa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$408 PEN 1,406
$590 ฿19.9K
-30.84%
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 Pucallpa: 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
Pucallpa
–
Chiang Mai
$309
Groceries & Markets
Pucallpa
–
Chiang Mai
$234
Clothing & Footwear
Pucallpa
–
Chiang Mai
$109
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pucallpa
–
Chiang Mai
$94
Eating Out
Pucallpa
–
Chiang Mai
$78
Getting Around
Pucallpa
–
Chiang Mai
$61
Sport & Entertainment
Pucallpa
–
Chiang Mai
$50

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $116 in Pucallpa 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 45% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $12 in Pucallpa versus $19 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $204 vs $234 – making Pucallpa the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇵🇪 Pucallpa
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🕒 Local time
03:20 3:20 AM
15:20 3:20 PM
12 h ahead of Pucallpa
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
326,040
127,240
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

THB, USD, EUR to PEN – Peruvian Sol Converter

Peruvian Sol exchange rates as of October 29, 2026: 1 USD = 3.45 PEN (1 PEN = 0.29 USD). 1 EUR = 3.85 PEN (1 PEN = 0.26 EUR).

Thai Baht exchange rates as of October 29, 2026: 1 USD = 33.77 THB (100 THB = 2.96 USD). 1 EUR = 37.69 THB (100 THB = 2.65 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Pucallpa Chiang Mai 18,660 km ≈ 24 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Pucallpa
  • 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
Pucallpa vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Pucallpa or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 85% more than Pucallpa, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from transport. 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 Pucallpa and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $759 per month in Pucallpa 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, Pucallpa or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Pucallpa, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $116 there versus $482 in Chiang Mai.
How much does it cost to live in Pucallpa compared to Chiang Mai?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $506 in Pucallpa and $936 in Chiang Mai. That makes Pucallpa about 46% cheaper.
Are groceries more expensive in Pucallpa or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 15% more in Chiang Mai, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $800/month in Pucallpa or in Chiang Mai?
A $800 monthly budget goes further in Pucallpa, where all-in costs run around $506, than in Chiang Mai at $936. In Pucallpa it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Pucallpa or Chiang Mai?
It depends on your priorities. Chiang Mai has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $506 in Pucallpa to $936 in Chiang Mai. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Should I move to Pucallpa or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Pucallpa. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chiang Mai makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

Pucallpa vs other spots: cost of living compared

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