πA single person spends $1,068 per month in QuellΓ³n vs $869 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,643 per month in QuellΓ³n vs $1,362 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,219 per month in QuellΓ³n vs $1,855 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πQuellΓ³n costs about 23% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth QuellΓ³n and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median β QuellΓ³n21% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
QuellΓ³n
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.67CLPΒ 7,795
$1.98ΰΈΏ64.3
337.88%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$45.26CLPΒ 40.7K
$18.80ΰΈΏ612
140.74%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.85CLPΒ 7,051
$7.75ΰΈΏ252
1.29%
Cappuccino
$2.73CLPΒ 2,451
$1.92ΰΈΏ62.5
42.19%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.36CLPΒ 1,222
$0.79ΰΈΏ25.79
72.15%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.05CLPΒ 944
$0.36ΰΈΏ11.62
191.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.20CLPΒ 2,878
$2.21ΰΈΏ72.1
44.80%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.11CLPΒ 3,698
$3.66ΰΈΏ119
12.30%
π Groceries & Markets
QuellΓ³n
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.18CLPΒ 1,059
$1.65ΰΈΏ53.8
-28.48%
White Bread(500g)
$1.52CLPΒ 1,364
$1.63ΰΈΏ53.2
-6.75%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.95CLPΒ 1,752
$1.19ΰΈΏ38.86
63.87%
Eggs
$3.57CLPΒ 3,206
$2.00ΰΈΏ65.1
78.50%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.55CLPΒ 9,480
$15.98ΰΈΏ520
-33.98%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.77CLPΒ 6,083
$3.03ΰΈΏ98.5
123.43%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.97CLPΒ 9,861
$10.86ΰΈΏ354
1.01%
Apples(1kg)
$1.89CLPΒ 1,696
$2.76ΰΈΏ90.0
-31.52%
Banana(1kg)
$1.57CLPΒ 1,411
$1.18ΰΈΏ38.42
33.05%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.54CLPΒ 1,385
$1.64ΰΈΏ53.5
-6.10%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.51CLPΒ 1,357
$1.52ΰΈΏ49.51
-0.66%
Potato(1kg)
$1.29CLPΒ 1,161
$1.38ΰΈΏ45.10
-6.52%
Onion(1kg)
$1.37CLPΒ 1,227
$1.19ΰΈΏ38.84
15.13%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.21CLPΒ 1,089
$0.70ΰΈΏ22.86
72.86%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.22CLPΒ 1,099
$0.56ΰΈΏ18.13
117.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.45CLPΒ 4,901
$4.58ΰΈΏ149
19.00%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.85CLPΒ 5,261
$16.56ΰΈΏ539
-64.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.61CLPΒ 1,449
$1.83ΰΈΏ59.5
-12.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24CLPΒ 2,014
$3.20ΰΈΏ104
-30.00%
π Getting Around
QuellΓ³n
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.58CLPΒ 522
$0.88ΰΈΏ28.56
-34.09%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$18.72ΰΈΏ610
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.50CLPΒ 450
$1.36ΰΈΏ44.16
-63.24%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.34ΰΈΏ43.65
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$7.84ΰΈΏ256
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.39CLPΒ 1,245
$1.23ΰΈΏ39.92
13.01%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.9KCLPΒ 17.9M
$21.6KΰΈΏ704.3K
-7.95%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.3KCLPΒ 19.1M
$22.5KΰΈΏ734.3K
-5.54%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
QuellΓ³n
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$133CLPΒ 119.8K
$70.5ΰΈΏ2,298
88.97%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.37CLPΒ 12.0K
$13.68ΰΈΏ445
-2.27%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$21.85CLPΒ 19.6K
$17.45ΰΈΏ568
25.21%
π Sport & Entertainment
QuellΓ³n
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.16CLPΒ 35.2K
$41.33ΰΈΏ1,346
-5.25%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.09CLPΒ 19.0K
$6.96ΰΈΏ227
203.02%
Cinema Ticket
$5.56CLPΒ 4,996
$5.77ΰΈΏ188
-3.64%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
QuellΓ³n
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$434CLPΒ 390.1K
$307ΰΈΏ10.0K
41.37%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$14.6KΰΈΏ475.9K
-
ππ Clothing & Footwear
QuellΓ³n
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.5CLPΒ 46.2K
$55.8ΰΈΏ1,817
-7.76%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.56CLPΒ 27.5K
$26.21ΰΈΏ854
16.60%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$61.3CLPΒ 55.1K
$85.8ΰΈΏ2,793
-28.50%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$81.3CLPΒ 73.0K
$72.2ΰΈΏ2,353
12.49%
π Accommodation & Living
QuellΓ³n
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$480CLPΒ 431.0K
$430ΰΈΏ14.0K
11.60%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$366CLPΒ 329.0K
$239ΰΈΏ7,774
53.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$870CLPΒ 781.9K
$817ΰΈΏ26.6K
6.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$591CLPΒ 530.7K
$511ΰΈΏ16.6K
15.62%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$1,983ΰΈΏ64.6K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,484ΰΈΏ48.3K
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
QuellΓ³n
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$619ΰΈΏ20.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.18
5
3.60%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for QuellΓ³n: June 7, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $480 in QuellΓ³n versus $430 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.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $45.00 in QuellΓ³n versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story β $230 in QuellΓ³n vs $241 in Chiang Mai β so QuellΓ³n 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
QuellΓ³n vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, QuellΓ³n or Chiang Mai?
QuellΓ³n costs about 23% more than Chiang Mai, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. 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 QuellΓ³n vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,601 per month in QuellΓ³n and $1,303 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, QuellΓ³n or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Chiang Mai, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in QuellΓ³n vs Chiang Mai?
Are groceries more expensive in QuellΓ³n or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 5% cheaper in QuellΓ³n β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $1,000/month in QuellΓ³n or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $869, than in QuellΓ³n at $1,068. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in QuellΓ³n it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, QuellΓ³n or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $869 versus $1,068 in QuellΓ³n. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is QuellΓ³n 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 β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to QuellΓ³n or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, QuellΓ³n makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.