Cost of Living Comparison Between San Bernardo and Chiang Mai Cost of Living Comparison Between San Bernardo and Chiang Mai

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $925 per month in San Bernardo vs $932 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,448 per month in San Bernardo vs $1,399 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,972 per month in San Bernardo vs $1,866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

San Bernardo is about 1% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both San Bernardo and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – San Bernardo 32% lower, Chiang Mai 32% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
San Bernardo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.01 CLP 7,647
$2.08 ฿69.5
285.10%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$26.45 CLP 25.2K
$19.61 ฿655
34.88%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.98 CLP 6,657
$5.67 ฿189
23.10%
Cappuccino
$2.65 CLP 2,533
$1.81 ฿60.3
46.41%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.99 CLP 949
$0.77 ฿25.65
28.57%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.07 CLP 1,020
$0.35 ฿11.53
205.71%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.20 CLP 4,010
$2.21 ฿73.9
90.05%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.72 CLP 4,504
$3.79 ฿127
24.54%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Bernardo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.14 CLP 1,086
$2.05 ฿68.4
-44.39%
White Bread (500g)
$1.28 CLP 1,219
$1.51 ฿50.6
-15.23%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.63 CLP 1,560
$1.40 ฿46.69
16.43%
Eggs
$4.08 CLP 3,895
$2.26 ฿75.4
80.53%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.42 CLP 10.9K
$16.19 ฿540
-29.46%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.51 CLP 4,308
$2.90 ฿96.7
55.52%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.98 CLP 10.5K
$9.42 ฿314
16.56%
Apples (1kg)
$1.90 CLP 1,809
$2.68 ฿89.4
-29.10%
Banana (1kg)
$1.59 CLP 1,516
$1.09 ฿36.37
45.87%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.47 CLP 1,407
$1.62 ฿54.0
-9.26%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.77 CLP 1,688
$1.46 ฿48.74
21.23%
Potato (1kg)
$0.88 CLP 840
$1.28 ฿42.65
-31.25%
Onion (1kg)
$0.80 CLP 764
$1.06 ฿35.31
-24.53%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.25 CLP 1,188
$0.72 ฿23.94
73.61%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.13 CLP 1,081
$0.53 ฿17.56
113.21%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.32 CLP 3,164
$4.23 ฿141
-21.51%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.09 CLP 5,810
$18.29 ฿611
-66.70%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.61 CLP 1,540
$1.63 ฿54.4
-1.23%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.52 CLP 2,405
$2.90 ฿96.8
-13.10%
🚌 Getting Around
San Bernardo
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.81 CLP 776
$0.88 ฿29.32
-7.95%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$53.8 ฿1,795
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.41 CLP 389
$1.17 ฿39.14
-64.96%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.93 CLP 886
$0.58 ฿19.30
60.34%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.80 CLP 11.3K
$2.39 ฿79.6
393.72%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.36 CLP 1,301
$1.45 ฿48.41
-6.21%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.4K CLP 17.5M
$21.0K ฿701.4K
-12.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.7K CLP 20.7M
$26.4K ฿882.0K
-17.97%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Bernardo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$125 CLP 118.9K
$63.7 ฿2,125
95.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.48 CLP 11.9K
$12.89 ฿430
-3.18%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.51 CLP 15.8K
$20.52 ฿685
-19.54%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Bernardo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$20.41 CLP 19.5K
$39.02 ฿1,302
-47.69%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$3.92 ฿131
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.67 CLP 7,320
$6.58 ฿220
16.57%
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Bernardo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$447 CLP 426.9K
$784 ฿26.2K
-42.92%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.1K CLP 10.6M
$14.7K ฿489.8K
-24.42%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Bernardo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$37.13 CLP 35.4K
$55.1 ฿1,840
-32.63%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.27 CLP 26.0K
$24.74 ฿826
10.23%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$68.2 CLP 65.1K
$94.1 ฿3,142
-27.55%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$82.1 CLP 78.4K
$74.0 ฿2,469
11.06%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Bernardo
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$279 CLP 265.8K
$490 ฿16.4K
-43.19%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$256 CLP 244.0K
$288 ฿9,620
-11.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$716 CLP 683.3K
$891 ฿29.8K
-19.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$552 CLP 526.7K
$521 ฿17.4K
5.92%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,925 CLP 1.8M
$1,974 ฿65.9K
-2.48%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,417 CLP 1.4M
$1,444 ฿48.2K
-1.86%
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Bernardo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,347 CLP 1.3M
$602 ฿20.1K
123.88%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.39
5.57
-3.23%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for San Bernardo: September 12, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $279 in San Bernardo versus $490 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.

Salaries run about 124% higher in San Bernardo, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $26.00 in San Bernardo versus $20.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $219 in San Bernardo vs $241 in Chiang Mai – so San Bernardo 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
San Bernardo vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, San Bernardo or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 1% more than San Bernardo, 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 San Bernardo and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,387 per month in San Bernardo and $1,398 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, San Bernardo or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in San Bernardo, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in San Bernardo and in Chiang Mai?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $26.00 in San Bernardo and $20.00 in Chiang Mai. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in San Bernardo or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 10% 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 San Bernardo or in Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in San Bernardo, where all-in costs run around $925, than in Chiang Mai at $932. In San Bernardo it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, San Bernardo or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. San Bernardo costs $925 versus $932 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is San Bernardo 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 – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to San Bernardo or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with San Bernardo. 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.

San Bernardo vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities