ðA single person spends $364 per month in Rayagada vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $582 per month in Rayagada vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $799 per month in Rayagada vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðRayagada is about 57% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Rayagada and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median â Rayagada73% lower, Chiang Mai36% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Rayagada
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.71âđ162
$1.96āļŋ63.6
-12.76%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.37âđ886
$18.81āļŋ611
-50.19%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.53âđ334
$7.92āļŋ258
-55.43%
Cappuccino
$1.19âđ113
$1.91āļŋ62.2
-37.70%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.38âđ36.35
$0.84āļŋ27.25
-54.76%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.12âđ11.08
$0.35āļŋ11.44
-65.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.04âđ193
$2.21āļŋ71.7
-7.69%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.40âđ322
$3.80āļŋ124
-10.53%
ð Groceries & Markets
Rayagada
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.51âđ47.92
$1.64āļŋ53.2
-68.90%
White Bread(500g)
$0.55âđ52.2
$1.62āļŋ52.8
-66.05%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.62âđ58.9
$1.18āļŋ38.40
-47.46%
Eggs
$0.91âđ86.2
$2.01āļŋ65.4
-54.73%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.31âđ313
$15.89āļŋ517
-79.17%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.99âđ283
$3.01āļŋ98.0
-0.66%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$10.77āļŋ350
-
Apples(1kg)
$1.77âđ167
$2.61āļŋ85.0
-32.18%
Banana(1kg)
$0.68âđ64.3
$1.22āļŋ39.65
-44.26%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.78âđ73.7
$1.70āļŋ55.4
-54.12%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.58âđ55.3
$1.58āļŋ51.2
-63.29%
Potato(1kg)
$0.42âđ39.94
$1.32āļŋ42.89
-68.18%
Onion(1kg)
$0.59âđ55.6
$1.17āļŋ38.01
-49.57%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.45âđ42.67
$0.67āļŋ21.85
-32.84%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.32âđ30.66
$0.56āļŋ18.21
-42.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.17âđ394
$4.53āļŋ147
-7.95%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.57âđ716
$18.20āļŋ592
-58.41%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.98âđ187
$1.83āļŋ59.6
8.20%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.63âđ344
$3.23āļŋ105
12.38%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
$4.85âđ459
-
-
ð Getting Around
Rayagada
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30âđ28.79
$0.89āļŋ28.83
-66.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.92âđ844
$19.38āļŋ630
-53.97%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.56âđ53.1
$1.35āļŋ43.95
-58.52%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.35āļŋ43.79
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.36âđ223
$8.25āļŋ268
-71.39%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.15âđ109
$1.27āļŋ41.40
-9.45%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$15.0Kâđ1.4M
$21.2Kāļŋ687.8K
-29.29%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.7Kâđ2.3M
$22.5Kāļŋ731.0K
9.88%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rayagada
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$22.87âđ2,164
$70.2āļŋ2,281
-67.40%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.69âđ349
$13.77āļŋ448
-73.20%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$5.77âđ546
$17.60āļŋ572
-67.22%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Rayagada
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$15.64âđ1,480
$41.57āļŋ1,352
-62.38%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.23âđ684
$6.60āļŋ215
9.55%
Cinema Ticket
$3.16âđ299
$5.78āļŋ188
-45.33%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Rayagada
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$67.1âđ6,347
$306āļŋ9,953
-78.09%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,767âđ167.2K
$14.8Kāļŋ482.0K
-88.08%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Rayagada
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$29.88âđ2,827
$54.4āļŋ1,768
-45.04%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.32âđ2,680
$26.14āļŋ850
8.34%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$37.45âđ3,544
$84.5āļŋ2,748
-55.70%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$37.34âđ3,533
$69.4āļŋ2,257
-46.22%
ð Accommodation & Living
Rayagada
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$125âđ11.8K
$424āļŋ13.8K
-70.58%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$76.8âđ7,265
$238āļŋ7,743
-67.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$275âđ26.0K
$825āļŋ26.8K
-66.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$182âđ17.3K
$515āļŋ16.7K
-64.61%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,093âđ103.5K
$2,049āļŋ66.6K
-46.64%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$517âđ48.9K
$1,523āļŋ49.5K
-66.07%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Rayagada
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$615âđ58.2K
$635āļŋ20.6K
-3.19%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.3
5
66.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Rayagada: April 26, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $125 in Rayagada 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 3% 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 $9.00 in Rayagada versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $101 vs $243 â making Rayagada 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
Rayagada vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Rayagada or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 134% more than Rayagada, 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 Rayagada vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $546 per month in Rayagada 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, Rayagada or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Rayagada, 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 Rayagada and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $67.1 per month in Rayagada 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 Rayagada or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 141% 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 $800/month in Rayagada or Chiang Mai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $364 in Rayagada and $852 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Rayagada or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Rayagada costs $364 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 Rayagada 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 Rayagada or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Rayagada. 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.