ðA single person spends $442 per month in Ranchi vs $845 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $696 per month in Ranchi vs $1,323 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $949 per month in Ranchi vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðRanchi is about 48% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Ranchi and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median â Ranchi67% lower, Chiang Mai37% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Ranchi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.24âđ304
$1.95āļŋ62.8
66.15%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.01âđ1,033
$18.43āļŋ594
-40.26%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.91âđ555
$7.50āļŋ241
-21.20%
Cappuccino
$1.53âđ144
$1.93āļŋ62.3
-20.73%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42âđ39.79
$0.78āļŋ25.08
-46.15%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.13âđ12.64
$0.32āļŋ10.42
-59.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.43âđ228
$2.15āļŋ69.2
13.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.05âđ380
$3.71āļŋ120
9.16%
ð Groceries & Markets
Ranchi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.65âđ61.0
$1.71āļŋ55.2
-61.99%
White Bread(500g)
$0.41âđ38.04
$1.56āļŋ50.3
-73.72%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.46âđ43.61
$1.18āļŋ38.06
-61.02%
Eggs
$1.00âđ93.7
$1.98āļŋ63.9
-49.49%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.17âđ486
$16.04āļŋ517
-67.77%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.24âđ210
$3.17āļŋ102
-29.34%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$10.94āļŋ353
-
Apples(1kg)
$1.43âđ135
$2.63āļŋ84.7
-45.63%
Banana(1kg)
$0.69âđ64.8
$1.17āļŋ37.61
-41.03%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.74âđ69.8
$1.65āļŋ53.0
-55.15%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.54âđ50.8
$1.54āļŋ49.51
-64.94%
Potato(1kg)
$0.38âđ35.69
$1.38āļŋ44.34
-72.46%
Onion(1kg)
$0.50âđ47.04
$1.17āļŋ37.54
-57.26%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.35âđ32.43
$0.66āļŋ21.25
-46.97%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.29âđ27.13
$0.51āļŋ16.55
-43.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.22âđ396
$4.52āļŋ146
-6.64%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.03âđ473
$18.32āļŋ590
-72.54%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.08âđ101
$1.80āļŋ57.9
-40.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25âđ211
$3.18āļŋ102
-29.25%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
$4.37âđ411
-
-
ð Getting Around
Ranchi
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.22âđ20.52
$0.90āļŋ28.97
-75.56%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$23.38âđ2,194
$19.00āļŋ612
23.05%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.71âđ160
$1.41āļŋ45.50
21.28%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.31āļŋ42.15
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.17âđ110
$8.09āļŋ261
-85.54%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.21âđ113
$1.28āļŋ41.08
-5.47%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$8,631âđ810.1K
$21.3Kāļŋ686.1K
-59.47%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.4Kâđ1.9M
$21.7Kāļŋ699.3K
-6.23%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ranchi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$68.4âđ6,420
$69.2āļŋ2,230
-1.16%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.51âđ517
$13.97āļŋ450
-60.56%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.51âđ705
$17.95āļŋ578
-58.16%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Ranchi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$21.73âđ2,040
$42.31āļŋ1,363
-48.64%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.99âđ1,126
$6.66āļŋ214
80.03%
Cinema Ticket
$2.85âđ267
$5.92āļŋ191
-51.86%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Ranchi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$50.4âđ4,728
$299āļŋ9,640
-83.17%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,481âđ139.0K
$14.8Kāļŋ478.4K
-90.03%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Ranchi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$32.77âđ3,076
$56.2āļŋ1,810
-41.68%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.59âđ3,059
$26.94āļŋ868
20.97%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$48.90âđ4,590
$84.9āļŋ2,735
-42.38%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$30.82âđ2,893
$71.8āļŋ2,314
-57.09%
ð Accommodation & Living
Ranchi
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$111âđ10.5K
$435āļŋ14.0K
-74.40%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$78.6âđ7,373
$240āļŋ7,727
-67.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$255âđ24.0K
$798āļŋ25.7K
-68.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$188âđ17.6K
$498āļŋ16.1K
-62.29%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,142âđ107.2K
$1,995āļŋ64.3K
-42.75%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$762âđ71.5K
$1,532āļŋ49.4K
-50.26%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Ranchi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$303âđ28.4K
$628āļŋ20.2K
-51.84%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.94
5
178.80%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ranchi: April 20, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $111 in Ranchi versus $435 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 108% 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 $11 in Ranchi versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $87 vs $244 â making Ranchi 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
Ranchi vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ranchi or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 91% more than Ranchi, 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 Ranchi vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $663 per month in Ranchi and $1,267 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Ranchi or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Ranchi, 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 Ranchi and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $50.4 per month in Ranchi and $299 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 Ranchi or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 180% 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 $1,200/month in Ranchi or Chiang Mai?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $442 in Ranchi and $845 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Ranchi or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Ranchi costs $442 versus $845 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Ranchi 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 Ranchi or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Ranchi. 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.