ðA single person spends $375 per month in Rupnagar vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $592 per month in Rupnagar vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $810 per month in Rupnagar vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðRupnagar is about 56% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Rupnagar and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median â Rupnagar72% lower, Chiang Mai36% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Rupnagar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.47âđ329
$1.96āļŋ64.0
77.04%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.78âđ929
$18.81āļŋ615
-48.01%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.83âđ269
$7.92āļŋ259
-64.27%
Cappuccino
$1.31âđ124
$1.91āļŋ62.6
-31.41%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36âđ34.63
$0.84āļŋ27.41
-57.14%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.17âđ15.67
$0.35āļŋ11.51
-51.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.33âđ126
$2.21āļŋ72.1
-39.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25âđ214
$3.80āļŋ124
-40.79%
ð Groceries & Markets
Rupnagar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.64âđ60.5
$1.64āļŋ53.5
-60.98%
White Bread(500g)
$0.44âđ42.11
$1.62āļŋ53.1
-72.84%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.61âđ57.7
$1.18āļŋ38.62
-48.31%
Eggs
$0.93âđ88.7
$2.01āļŋ65.8
-53.73%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.76âđ547
$15.89āļŋ520
-63.75%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.39âđ227
$3.01āļŋ98.5
-20.60%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$10.77āļŋ352
-
Apples(1kg)
$1.48âđ140
$2.61āļŋ85.5
-43.30%
Banana(1kg)
$0.71âđ67.0
$1.22āļŋ39.88
-41.80%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.57âđ53.8
$1.70āļŋ55.7
-66.47%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.63âđ59.5
$1.58āļŋ51.5
-60.13%
Potato(1kg)
$0.36âđ34.56
$1.32āļŋ43.14
-72.73%
Onion(1kg)
$0.42âđ39.92
$1.17āļŋ38.23
-64.10%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.75âđ70.9
$0.67āļŋ21.98
11.94%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.37âđ34.80
$0.56āļŋ18.32
-33.93%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.35âđ413
$4.53āļŋ148
-3.97%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.32âđ505
$18.20āļŋ595
-70.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19âđ113
$1.83āļŋ60.0
-34.97%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.02âđ192
$3.23āļŋ106
-37.46%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
$4.52âđ429
-
-
ð Getting Around
Rupnagar
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30âđ28.88
$0.89āļŋ29.00
-66.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.47âđ804
$19.38āļŋ634
-56.30%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.14âđ108
$1.35āļŋ44.20
-15.56%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.35āļŋ44.05
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.35âđ223
$8.25āļŋ270
-71.52%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.12âđ107
$1.27āļŋ41.64
-11.81%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$8,212âđ779.6K
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
-61.18%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.2Kâđ1.6M
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
-23.66%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rupnagar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$53.8âđ5,111
$70.2āļŋ2,294
-23.25%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.95âđ280
$13.77āļŋ450
-78.58%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$5.88âđ558
$17.60āļŋ575
-66.59%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Rupnagar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$9.76âđ926
$41.57āļŋ1,360
-76.52%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.15âđ679
$6.60āļŋ216
8.33%
Cinema Ticket
$2.83âđ269
$5.78āļŋ189
-51.04%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Rupnagar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$91.4âđ8,674
$306āļŋ10.0K
-70.16%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,677âđ159.2K
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
-88.69%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Rupnagar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$26.52âđ2,518
$54.4āļŋ1,778
-51.22%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.56âđ2,522
$26.14āļŋ855
1.61%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$34.58âđ3,283
$84.5āļŋ2,764
-59.10%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$34.94âđ3,317
$69.4āļŋ2,270
-49.68%
ð Accommodation & Living
Rupnagar
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$125âđ11.9K
$424āļŋ13.9K
-70.46%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$76.3âđ7,241
$238āļŋ7,788
-67.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$270âđ25.6K
$825āļŋ27.0K
-67.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$179âđ17.0K
$515āļŋ16.8K
-65.17%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$977âđ92.8K
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
-52.31%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$522âđ49.5K
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
-65.74%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Rupnagar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$635āļŋ20.8K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.95
5
79.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Rupnagar: April 25, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $125 in Rupnagar 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.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $10.00 in Rupnagar versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $93.0 vs $243 â making Rupnagar 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
Rupnagar vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Rupnagar or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 127% more than Rupnagar, 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 Rupnagar vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $562 per month in Rupnagar 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, Rupnagar or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Rupnagar, 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 Rupnagar and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $91.4 per month in Rupnagar 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 Rupnagar or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 161% 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 Rupnagar or Chiang Mai?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $375 in Rupnagar and $852 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Rupnagar or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Rupnagar costs $375 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 Rupnagar 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 Rupnagar or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Rupnagar. 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.