🙂A single person spends $736 per month in Qusar vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,113 per month in Qusar vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,490 per month in Qusar vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂Qusar is about 14% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Qusar and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Qusar45% lower, Chiang Mai36% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Qusar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.55₼12.83
$1.96฿63.6
285.20%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$17.91₼30.45
$18.81฿611
-4.78%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.42₼12.62
$7.92฿258
-6.31%
Cappuccino
$1.73₼2.94
$1.91฿62.2
-9.42%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.67₼1.15
$0.84฿27.25
-20.24%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.25₼0.43
$0.35฿11.44
-28.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.43₼2.43
$2.21฿71.7
-35.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.73₼2.95
$3.80฿124
-54.47%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Qusar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.92₼1.56
$1.64฿53.2
-43.90%
White Bread(500g)
$0.30₼0.51
$1.62฿52.8
-81.48%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.37₼2.33
$1.18฿38.40
16.10%
Eggs
$1.08₼1.83
$2.01฿65.4
-46.27%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.77₼6.42
$15.89฿517
-76.27%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.13₼5.32
$3.01฿98.0
3.99%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.91₼11.75
$10.77฿350
-35.84%
Apples(1kg)
$0.45₼0.77
$2.61฿85.0
-82.76%
Banana(1kg)
$1.51₼2.57
$1.22฿39.65
23.77%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.21₼2.06
$1.70฿55.4
-28.82%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.84₼3.13
$1.58฿51.2
16.46%
Potato(1kg)
$0.23₼0.39
$1.32฿42.89
-82.58%
Onion(1kg)
$0.48₼0.81
$1.17฿38.01
-58.97%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.15₼0.26
$0.67฿21.85
-77.61%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.36₼0.61
$0.56฿18.21
-35.71%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.55₼6.03
$4.53฿147
-21.63%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.72₼14.82
$18.20฿592
-52.09%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.39₼2.37
$1.83฿59.6
-24.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.70₼4.59
$3.23฿105
-16.41%
🚌 Getting Around
Qusar
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.23₼0.39
$0.89฿28.83
-74.16%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$11.99₼20.38
$19.38฿630
-38.13%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.20₼2.04
$1.35฿43.95
-11.11%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.62₼1.05
$1.35฿43.79
-54.07%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.39₼4.07
$8.25฿268
-71.03%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.57₼0.97
$1.27฿41.40
-55.12%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.3K₼32.8K
$21.2K฿687.8K
-8.80%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.0K₼37.4K
$22.5K฿731.0K
-2.18%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Qusar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$47.79₼81.2
$70.2฿2,281
-31.87%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.92₼20.27
$13.77฿448
-13.44%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.88₼20.19
$17.60฿572
-32.50%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Qusar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$20.02₼34.03
$41.57฿1,352
-51.84%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.87₼20.18
$6.60฿215
79.85%
Cinema Ticket
$5.93₼10.09
$5.78฿188
2.60%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Qusar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$69.4₼118
$306฿9,953
-77.32%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,519₼5,982
$14.8K฿482.0K
-76.26%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Qusar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.25₼70.1
$54.4฿1,768
-24.13%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.86₼69.5
$26.14฿850
56.31%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$106₼180
$84.5฿2,748
25.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.8₼122
$69.4฿2,257
3.44%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Qusar
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$331₼562
$424฿13.8K
-21.94%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$254₼432
$238฿7,743
6.72%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$482₼820
$825฿26.8K
-41.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$393₼668
$515฿16.7K
-23.75%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,410₼2,397
$2,049฿66.6K
-31.21%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,245₼2,117
$1,523฿49.5K
-18.22%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Qusar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$417₼709
$635฿20.6K
-34.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.85
5
57.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Qusar: April 27, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $331 in Qusar 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.
💰Salaries run about 52% 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 $18.00 in Qusar versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $131 vs $243 – making Qusar 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
Qusar vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Qusar or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 16% more than Qusar, 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 Qusar vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,104 per month in Qusar and $1,278 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Qusar or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Qusar, 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 Qusar and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $69.4 per month in Qusar 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 Qusar or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 85% 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 Qusar or Chiang Mai?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $736 in Qusar and $852 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Qusar or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Qusar costs $736 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 Qusar 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.
Should I move to Qusar or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Qusar. 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.