πA single person spends $1,011 per month in Sanliurfa vs $869 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,580 per month in Sanliurfa vs $1,362 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,148 per month in Sanliurfa vs $1,855 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πSanliurfa costs about 16% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Sanliurfa and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median β Sanliurfa25% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Sanliurfa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.47βΊ346
$1.98ΰΈΏ64.3
277.27%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.25βΊ1,399
$18.80ΰΈΏ612
60.90%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.28βΊ337
$7.75ΰΈΏ252
-6.06%
Cappuccino
$3.68βΊ170
$1.92ΰΈΏ62.5
91.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.21βΊ55.9
$0.79ΰΈΏ25.79
53.16%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40βΊ18.28
$0.36ΰΈΏ11.62
11.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.47βΊ160
$2.21ΰΈΏ72.1
57.01%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.47βΊ160
$3.66ΰΈΏ119
-5.19%
π Groceries & Markets
Sanliurfa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.04βΊ48.24
$1.65ΰΈΏ53.8
-36.97%
White Bread(500g)
$0.45βΊ20.62
$1.63ΰΈΏ53.2
-72.39%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.03βΊ94.1
$1.19ΰΈΏ38.86
70.59%
Eggs
$2.64βΊ122
$2.00ΰΈΏ65.1
32.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.44βΊ529
$15.98ΰΈΏ520
-28.41%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.01βΊ232
$3.03ΰΈΏ98.5
65.35%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$20.77βΊ961
$10.86ΰΈΏ354
91.25%
Apples(1kg)
$1.21βΊ56.1
$2.76ΰΈΏ90.0
-56.16%
Banana(1kg)
$2.03βΊ94.0
$1.18ΰΈΏ38.42
72.03%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.04βΊ48.11
$1.64ΰΈΏ53.5
-36.59%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.15βΊ53.1
$1.52ΰΈΏ49.51
-24.34%
Potato(1kg)
$0.85βΊ39.10
$1.38ΰΈΏ45.10
-38.41%
Onion(1kg)
$0.76βΊ35.17
$1.19ΰΈΏ38.84
-36.13%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67βΊ30.95
$0.70ΰΈΏ22.86
-4.29%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.38βΊ17.76
$0.56ΰΈΏ18.13
-32.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.13βΊ98.7
$4.58ΰΈΏ149
-53.49%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.45βΊ391
$16.56ΰΈΏ539
-48.97%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.54βΊ118
$1.83ΰΈΏ59.5
38.80%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.48βΊ161
$3.20ΰΈΏ104
8.75%
π Getting Around
Sanliurfa
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.63βΊ28.97
$0.88ΰΈΏ28.56
-28.41%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$30.42βΊ1,407
$18.72ΰΈΏ610
62.50%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.09βΊ50.3
$1.36ΰΈΏ44.16
-19.85%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.61βΊ28.02
$1.34ΰΈΏ43.65
-54.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.68βΊ355
$7.84ΰΈΏ256
-2.04%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.08βΊ50.0
$1.23ΰΈΏ39.92
-12.20%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$44.0KβΊ2.0M
$21.6KΰΈΏ704.3K
103.46%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.9KβΊ2.0M
$22.5KΰΈΏ734.3K
90.19%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sanliurfa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$63.0βΊ2,913
$70.5ΰΈΏ2,298
-10.75%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.11βΊ421
$13.68ΰΈΏ445
-33.41%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.90βΊ412
$17.45ΰΈΏ568
-49.00%
π Sport & Entertainment
Sanliurfa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.88βΊ1,984
$41.33ΰΈΏ1,346
3.75%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.96ΰΈΏ227
-
Cinema Ticket
$2.53βΊ117
$5.77ΰΈΏ188
-56.15%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Sanliurfa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$601βΊ27.8K
$307ΰΈΏ10.0K
95.56%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,776βΊ406.0K
$14.6KΰΈΏ475.9K
-39.94%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Sanliurfa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$19.29βΊ892
$55.8ΰΈΏ1,817
-65.42%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.94βΊ1,154
$26.21ΰΈΏ854
-4.85%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$74.9βΊ3,463
$85.8ΰΈΏ2,793
-12.71%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$51.0βΊ2,361
$72.2ΰΈΏ2,353
-29.35%
π Accommodation & Living
Sanliurfa
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$515βΊ23.8K
$430ΰΈΏ14.0K
19.77%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$391βΊ18.1K
$239ΰΈΏ7,774
63.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$883βΊ40.9K
$817ΰΈΏ26.6K
8.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$700βΊ32.4K
$511ΰΈΏ16.6K
37.10%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,378βΊ63.7K
$1,983ΰΈΏ64.6K
-30.52%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$997βΊ46.1K
$1,484ΰΈΏ48.3K
-32.84%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Sanliurfa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$873βΊ40.4K
$619ΰΈΏ20.2K
41.08%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
15
5
200.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sanliurfa: June 9, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $515 in Sanliurfa 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.
π°Salaries run about 41% higher in Sanliurfa, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $30.00 in Sanliurfa versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story β $231 in Sanliurfa vs $241 in Chiang Mai β so Sanliurfa 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
Sanliurfa vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Sanliurfa or Chiang Mai?
Sanliurfa costs about 16% 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 Sanliurfa vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,517 per month in Sanliurfa and $1,303 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Sanliurfa 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 Sanliurfa and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $601 per month in Sanliurfa 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 Sanliurfa or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 4% cheaper in Sanliurfa β 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 Sanliurfa or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $869, than in Sanliurfa at $1,011. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Sanliurfa it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Sanliurfa or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $869 versus $1,011 in Sanliurfa. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Sanliurfa 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 β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Sanliurfa or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Sanliurfa makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.