๐A single person spends $1,376 per month in Roลพลava vs $869 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $1,949 per month in Roลพลava vs $1,362 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $2,521 per month in Roลพลava vs $1,855 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐Roลพลava costs about 58% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Roลพลava sits 2% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 35% below โ they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Roลพลava
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.52โฌ8.20
$1.98เธฟ64.3
380.81%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$28.45โฌ24.51
$18.80เธฟ612
51.33%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.12โฌ7.86
$7.75เธฟ252
17.68%
Cappuccino
$1.14โฌ0.98
$1.92เธฟ62.5
-40.63%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.98โฌ1.70
$0.79เธฟ25.79
150.63%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.62โฌ1.40
$0.36เธฟ11.62
350.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.30โฌ1.98
$2.21เธฟ72.1
4.07%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.10โฌ1.81
$3.66เธฟ119
-42.62%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Roลพลava
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09โฌ0.94
$1.65เธฟ53.8
-33.94%
White Bread(500g)
$0.95โฌ0.82
$1.63เธฟ53.2
-41.72%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.28โฌ1.97
$1.19เธฟ38.86
91.60%
Eggs
$3.44โฌ2.96
$2.00เธฟ65.1
72.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.20โฌ7.93
$15.98เธฟ520
-42.43%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.43โฌ6.40
$3.03เธฟ98.5
145.21%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.46โฌ9.87
$10.86เธฟ354
5.52%
Apples(1kg)
$1.19โฌ1.03
$2.76เธฟ90.0
-56.88%
Banana(1kg)
$1.46โฌ1.26
$1.18เธฟ38.42
23.73%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.30โฌ1.98
$1.64เธฟ53.5
40.24%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.00โฌ3.45
$1.52เธฟ49.51
163.16%
Potato(1kg)
$0.71โฌ0.62
$1.38เธฟ45.10
-48.55%
Onion(1kg)
$0.72โฌ0.62
$1.19เธฟ38.84
-39.50%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.40โฌ1.21
$0.70เธฟ22.86
100.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.71โฌ0.61
$0.56เธฟ18.13
26.79%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.73โฌ4.94
$4.58เธฟ149
25.11%
Wine(Bottle)
$3.55โฌ3.06
$16.56เธฟ539
-78.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.67โฌ0.58
$1.83เธฟ59.5
-63.39%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.40โฌ1.21
$3.20เธฟ104
-56.25%
๐ Getting Around
Roลพลava
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.18โฌ1.02
$0.88เธฟ28.56
34.09%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$29.20โฌ25.16
$18.72เธฟ610
55.98%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.36โฌ2.03
$1.36เธฟ44.16
73.53%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.85โฌ0.73
$1.34เธฟ43.65
-36.57%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$14.14โฌ12.18
$7.84เธฟ256
80.36%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.83โฌ1.57
$1.23เธฟ39.92
48.78%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.9Kโฌ21.4K
$21.6Kเธฟ704.3K
14.97%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.5Kโฌ21.9K
$22.5Kเธฟ734.3K
12.96%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Roลพลava
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$229โฌ197
$70.5เธฟ2,298
224.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$28.45โฌ24.51
$13.68เธฟ445
107.97%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.81โฌ19.65
$17.45เธฟ568
30.72%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Roลพลava
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.75โฌ36.83
$41.33เธฟ1,346
3.44%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.16โฌ14.79
$6.96เธฟ227
146.55%
Cinema Ticket
$8.58โฌ7.39
$5.77เธฟ188
48.70%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Roลพลava
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$458โฌ394
$307เธฟ10.0K
49.05%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,320โฌ6,307
$14.6Kเธฟ475.9K
-49.90%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Roลพลava
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.1โฌ52.6
$55.8เธฟ1,817
9.43%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.53โฌ27.17
$26.21เธฟ854
20.30%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$82.3โฌ70.9
$85.8เธฟ2,793
-4.08%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$103โฌ88.9
$72.2เธฟ2,353
42.87%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Roลพลava
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$586โฌ505
$430เธฟ14.0K
36.35%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$487โฌ420
$239เธฟ7,774
104.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$963โฌ830
$817เธฟ26.6K
17.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$753โฌ649
$511เธฟ16.6K
47.50%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$1,983เธฟ64.6K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,484เธฟ48.3K
-
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Roลพลava
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$619เธฟ20.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.16
5
-16.80%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Roลพลava: June 9, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $586 in Roลพลava 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.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $28.00 in Roลพลava versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story โ $217 in Roลพลava vs $241 in Chiang Mai โ so Roลพลava 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
Roลพลava vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Roลพลava or Chiang Mai?
Roลพลava costs about 58% 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 Roลพลava vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,064 per month in Roลพลava and $1,303 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Roลพลava 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 Roลพลava and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $458 per month in Roลพลava and $307 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 Roลพลava or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 11% cheaper in Roลพลava โ 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 Roลพลava or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $869, than in Roลพลava at $1,376. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Roลพลava it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Roลพลava or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $869 versus $1,376 in Roลพลava. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Roลพลava 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 โ central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Roลพลava or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Roลพลava makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.