ðA single person spends $2,256 per month in Redcar vs $872 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $3,317 per month in Redcar vs $1,337 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $4,377 per month in Redcar vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðRedcar costs about 159% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðRedcar sits 68% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 35% below â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Redcar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.21ÂĢ14.97
$2.01āļŋ64.5
905.47%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$81.3ÂĢ60.2
$18.23āļŋ584
345.91%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.26ÂĢ7.60
$7.65āļŋ245
34.12%
Cappuccino
$4.80ÂĢ3.56
$1.92āļŋ61.5
150.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.35ÂĢ1.74
$0.84āļŋ26.97
179.76%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.55ÂĢ1.15
$0.36āļŋ11.42
330.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.69ÂĢ4.96
$2.19āļŋ70.2
205.48%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.38ÂĢ3.98
$3.79āļŋ121
41.95%
ð Groceries & Markets
Redcar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.56ÂĢ1.16
$1.64āļŋ52.5
-4.88%
White Bread(500g)
$1.38ÂĢ1.02
$1.62āļŋ52.0
-14.81%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.93ÂĢ2.91
$1.15āļŋ36.98
241.74%
Eggs
$3.92ÂĢ2.90
$1.94āļŋ62.2
102.06%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.68ÂĢ7.91
$15.94āļŋ511
-33.00%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.98ÂĢ5.91
$3.10āļŋ99.5
157.42%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.79ÂĢ5.77
$11.07āļŋ355
-29.63%
Apples(1kg)
$3.44ÂĢ2.55
$2.71āļŋ86.8
26.94%
Banana(1kg)
$2.00ÂĢ1.48
$1.18āļŋ37.80
69.49%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.22ÂĢ2.39
$1.71āļŋ54.7
88.30%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.89ÂĢ2.88
$1.61āļŋ51.5
141.61%
Potato(1kg)
$1.80ÂĢ1.33
$1.39āļŋ44.66
29.50%
Onion(1kg)
$1.99ÂĢ1.48
$1.15āļŋ36.81
73.04%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.37ÂĢ1.01
$0.71āļŋ22.83
92.96%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.84ÂĢ1.37
$0.55āļŋ17.65
234.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$18.27ÂĢ13.54
$4.57āļŋ146
299.78%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.00ÂĢ6.67
$18.87āļŋ605
-52.31%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.83ÂĢ2.10
$1.82āļŋ58.4
55.49%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86ÂĢ1.38
$3.21āļŋ103
-42.06%
ð Getting Around
Redcar
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.41ÂĢ2.53
$0.88āļŋ28.24
287.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$90.3ÂĢ66.9
$18.89āļŋ606
377.82%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$6.09ÂĢ4.51
$1.41āļŋ45.30
331.91%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.10ÂĢ0.82
$1.30āļŋ41.71
-15.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$16.12ÂĢ11.95
$8.20āļŋ263
96.59%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.95ÂĢ1.45
$1.23āļŋ39.29
58.54%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.2KÂĢ28.3K
$21.2Kāļŋ678.9K
80.23%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.5KÂĢ31.5K
$22.3Kāļŋ715.3K
90.59%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Redcar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$295ÂĢ219
$69.9āļŋ2,240
322.68%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.08ÂĢ12.65
$14.07āļŋ451
21.39%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$43.75ÂĢ32.42
$17.70āļŋ567
147.18%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Redcar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$45.36ÂĢ33.62
$41.41āļŋ1,328
9.54%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.69āļŋ215
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.66ÂĢ9.38
$5.74āļŋ184
120.56%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Redcar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,553ÂĢ1,151
$299āļŋ9,593
419.19%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,881ÂĢ5,099
$15.0Kāļŋ481.2K
-54.16%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Redcar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$81.6ÂĢ60.5
$54.8āļŋ1,758
48.80%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.89ÂĢ32.52
$26.35āļŋ845
66.57%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$87.1ÂĢ64.6
$84.7āļŋ2,714
2.93%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.4ÂĢ52.9
$69.7āļŋ2,236
2.34%
ð Accommodation & Living
Redcar
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,243ÂĢ921
$427āļŋ13.7K
191.24%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,021ÂĢ757
$241āļŋ7,718
324.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,060ÂĢ1,526
$811āļŋ26.0K
154.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,725ÂĢ1,278
$498āļŋ16.0K
246.14%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,022āļŋ64.8K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,524āļŋ48.9K
-
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Redcar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$639āļŋ20.5K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.6
5
12.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Redcar: April 11, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $1,243 in Redcar versus $427 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.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $81 in Redcar versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $290 vs $246 â making Chiang Mai 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
Redcar vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Redcar or Chiang Mai?
Redcar costs about 159% 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 Redcar vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,385 per month in Redcar and $1,308 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Redcar 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 childcare costs compare in Redcar and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $1,553 per month in Redcar 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 Redcar or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 18% more in Redcar, 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 Redcar or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $872, than in Redcar at $2,256. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Redcar it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Redcar or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $872 versus $2,256 in Redcar. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Redcar 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 Redcar or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Redcar makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.