ðA single person spends $359 per month in Puri vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $560 per month in Puri vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $762 per month in Puri vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðPuri is about 58% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Puri and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median â Puri73% lower, Chiang Mai36% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Puri
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.37âđ130
$1.96āļŋ64.0
-30.10%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$5.78âđ549
$18.81āļŋ615
-69.27%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.67âđ253
$7.92āļŋ259
-66.29%
Cappuccino
$1.58âđ150
$1.91āļŋ62.6
-17.28%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.30âđ28.61
$0.84āļŋ27.41
-64.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.09âđ8.29
$0.35āļŋ11.51
-74.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.42âđ134
$2.21āļŋ72.1
-35.75%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90âđ275
$3.80āļŋ124
-23.68%
ð Groceries & Markets
Puri
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.67âđ63.3
$1.64āļŋ53.5
-59.15%
White Bread(500g)
$0.33âđ31.37
$1.62āļŋ53.1
-79.63%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.53âđ50.3
$1.18āļŋ38.62
-55.08%
Eggs
$0.88âđ83.5
$2.01āļŋ65.8
-56.22%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$1.72âđ163
$15.89āļŋ520
-89.18%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.24âđ212
$3.01āļŋ98.5
-25.58%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$10.77āļŋ352
-
Apples(1kg)
$1.78âđ169
$2.61āļŋ85.5
-31.80%
Banana(1kg)
$0.56âđ53.2
$1.22āļŋ39.88
-54.10%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.40âđ133
$1.70āļŋ55.7
-17.65%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.58âđ55.4
$1.58āļŋ51.5
-63.29%
Potato(1kg)
$0.27âđ25.72
$1.32āļŋ43.14
-79.55%
Onion(1kg)
$0.54âđ51.3
$1.17āļŋ38.23
-53.85%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.44âđ41.39
$0.67āļŋ21.98
-34.33%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.35âđ33.55
$0.56āļŋ18.32
-37.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.13âđ392
$4.53āļŋ148
-8.83%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.30âđ693
$18.20āļŋ595
-59.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14âđ109
$1.83āļŋ60.0
-37.70%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28âđ217
$3.23āļŋ106
-29.41%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
$5.94âđ564
-
-
ð Getting Around
Puri
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30âđ28.86
$0.89āļŋ29.00
-66.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.65âđ821
$19.38āļŋ634
-55.37%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.18âđ112
$1.35āļŋ44.20
-12.59%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.35āļŋ44.05
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.19âđ113
$8.25āļŋ270
-85.58%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.09âđ104
$1.27āļŋ41.64
-14.17%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$5,721âđ543.1K
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
-72.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.4Kâđ1.7M
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
-22.58%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Puri
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$36.95âđ3,508
$70.2āļŋ2,294
-47.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.35âđ318
$13.77āļŋ450
-75.67%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.87âđ842
$17.60āļŋ575
-49.60%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Puri
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$16.01âđ1,520
$41.57āļŋ1,360
-61.49%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.99âđ663
$6.60āļŋ216
5.91%
Cinema Ticket
$3.50âđ332
$5.78āļŋ189
-39.45%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Puri
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$84.3âđ8,002
$306āļŋ10.0K
-72.47%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,025âđ192.3K
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
-86.34%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Puri
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.55âđ2,616
$54.4āļŋ1,778
-49.33%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.70âđ2,725
$26.14āļŋ855
9.79%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$51.7âđ4,910
$84.5āļŋ2,764
-38.82%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$32.66âđ3,100
$69.4āļŋ2,270
-52.96%
ð Accommodation & Living
Puri
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$122âđ11.5K
$424āļŋ13.9K
-71.30%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$75.1âđ7,128
$238āļŋ7,788
-68.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$277âđ26.3K
$825āļŋ27.0K
-66.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$181âđ17.2K
$515āļŋ16.8K
-64.82%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$833âđ79.0K
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
-59.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$565âđ53.6K
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
-62.90%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Puri
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$185âđ17.6K
$635āļŋ20.8K
-70.84%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8
5
60.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Puri: April 26, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $122 in Puri versus $424 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.
ð°Salaries run about 243% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $6.00 in Puri versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $86.0 vs $243 â making Puri the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Puri vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Puri or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 137% more than Puri, 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 Puri vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $539 per month in Puri and $1,278 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Puri or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Puri, 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 Puri and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $84.3 per month in Puri and $306 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 Puri or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 184% 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 $1,000/month in Puri or Chiang Mai?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $359 in Puri and $852 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Puri or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Puri costs $359 versus $852 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Puri 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 â central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Puri or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Puri. 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.