ðA single person spends $1,794 per month in Sallanches vs $845 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $2,785 per month in Sallanches vs $1,323 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $3,776 per month in Sallanches vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðSallanches costs about 112% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðSallanches sits 34% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 37% below â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Sallanches
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.66âŽ15.06
$1.95āļŋ62.8
805.64%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$57.7âŽ49.20
$18.43āļŋ594
212.97%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.39âŽ9.71
$7.50āļŋ241
51.87%
Cappuccino
$3.34âŽ2.85
$1.93āļŋ62.3
73.06%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78âŽ2.37
$0.78āļŋ25.08
256.41%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.77âŽ1.51
$0.32āļŋ10.42
453.13%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.84âŽ5.83
$2.15āļŋ69.2
218.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.70âŽ4.86
$3.71āļŋ120
53.64%
ð Groceries & Markets
Sallanches
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.24âŽ1.06
$1.71āļŋ55.2
-27.49%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75âŽ1.49
$1.56āļŋ50.3
12.18%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.54âŽ2.16
$1.18āļŋ38.06
115.25%
Eggs
$3.96âŽ3.38
$1.98āļŋ63.9
100.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.77âŽ16.01
$16.04āļŋ517
17.02%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$13.85âŽ11.81
$3.17āļŋ102
336.91%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$21.27âŽ18.14
$10.94āļŋ353
94.42%
Apples(1kg)
$3.01âŽ2.56
$2.63āļŋ84.7
14.45%
Banana(1kg)
$2.28âŽ1.94
$1.17āļŋ37.61
94.87%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.75âŽ2.35
$1.65āļŋ53.0
66.67%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.63âŽ3.10
$1.54āļŋ49.51
135.71%
Potato(1kg)
$2.15âŽ1.84
$1.38āļŋ44.34
55.80%
Onion(1kg)
$2.51âŽ2.14
$1.17āļŋ37.54
114.53%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.53âŽ1.30
$0.66āļŋ21.25
131.82%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.67âŽ0.57
$0.51āļŋ16.55
31.37%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$13.52âŽ11.53
$4.52āļŋ146
199.12%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.49âŽ7.24
$18.32āļŋ590
-53.66%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.66âŽ2.27
$1.80āļŋ57.9
47.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.35âŽ2.86
$3.18āļŋ102
5.35%
ð Getting Around
Sallanches
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.02âŽ1.72
$0.90āļŋ28.97
124.44%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$48.69âŽ41.53
$19.00āļŋ612
156.26%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.50âŽ3.84
$1.41āļŋ45.50
219.15%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.87âŽ1.60
$1.31āļŋ42.15
42.75%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$35.88âŽ30.61
$8.09āļŋ261
343.51%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.03âŽ1.73
$1.28āļŋ41.08
58.59%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.5KâŽ32.0K
$21.3Kāļŋ686.1K
76.08%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.8KâŽ31.4K
$21.7Kāļŋ699.3K
69.40%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sallanches
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$195âŽ166
$69.2āļŋ2,230
181.97%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.00âŽ19.62
$13.97āļŋ450
64.64%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.63âŽ27.84
$17.95āļŋ578
81.78%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Sallanches
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$38.09âŽ32.49
$42.31āļŋ1,363
-9.97%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.54âŽ15.82
$6.66āļŋ214
178.38%
Cinema Ticket
$13.68âŽ11.67
$5.92āļŋ191
131.08%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Sallanches
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$766âŽ653
$299āļŋ9,640
155.98%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,468âŽ7,224
$14.8Kāļŋ478.4K
-42.97%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Sallanches
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$101âŽ86.4
$56.2āļŋ1,810
80.23%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.52âŽ33.71
$26.94āļŋ868
46.70%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$88.9âŽ75.9
$84.9āļŋ2,735
4.78%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$136âŽ116
$71.8āļŋ2,314
89.75%
ð Accommodation & Living
Sallanches
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$770âŽ657
$435āļŋ14.0K
77.07%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$606âŽ517
$240āļŋ7,727
152.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,361âŽ1,161
$798āļŋ25.7K
70.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,087âŽ927
$498āļŋ16.1K
118.07%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,197âŽ3,580
$1,995āļŋ64.3K
110.34%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,003âŽ2,561
$1,532āļŋ49.4K
96.05%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Sallanches
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$628āļŋ20.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.63
5
-27.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sallanches: April 22, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $770 in Sallanches 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.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $58 in Sallanches versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $366 vs $244 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
Sallanches vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Sallanches or Chiang Mai?
Sallanches costs about 112% 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 Sallanches vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,691 per month in Sallanches 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, Sallanches 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 Sallanches and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $766 per month in Sallanches 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 Sallanches or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 50% more in Sallanches, 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 Sallanches or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $845, than in Sallanches at $1,794. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Sallanches it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Sallanches or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $845 versus $1,794 in Sallanches. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Sallanches 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 Sallanches or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Sallanches makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Sallanches vs other spots: cost of living compared