πA single person spends $1,009 per month in Santa Clara de Valladares vs $866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,561 per month in Santa Clara de Valladares vs $1,351 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,112 per month in Santa Clara de Valladares vs $1,835 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πSanta Clara de Valladares costs about 16% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Santa Clara de Valladares and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median β Santa Clara de Valladares25% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Santa Clara de Valladares
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.34MX$93.3
$1.94ΰΈΏ63.8
175.26%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.68MX$326
$18.64ΰΈΏ611
0.21%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.90MX$138
$7.82ΰΈΏ256
1.02%
Cappuccino
$1.84MX$32.06
$1.95ΰΈΏ64.1
-5.64%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.61MX$10.64
$0.85ΰΈΏ27.90
-28.24%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33MX$5.81
$0.35ΰΈΏ11.64
-5.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.16MX$37.74
$2.13ΰΈΏ69.9
1.41%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.92MX$68.4
$3.73ΰΈΏ122
5.09%
π Groceries & Markets
Santa Clara de Valladares
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08MX$18.88
$1.71ΰΈΏ56.2
-36.84%
White Bread(500g)
$2.54MX$44.41
$1.63ΰΈΏ53.4
55.83%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.35MX$23.66
$1.14ΰΈΏ37.32
18.42%
Eggs
$1.62MX$28.36
$1.93ΰΈΏ63.4
-16.06%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.43MX$147
$16.21ΰΈΏ532
-48.00%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.30MX$75.2
$3.12ΰΈΏ102
37.82%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.16MX$143
$10.90ΰΈΏ357
-25.14%
Apples(1kg)
$3.66MX$64.0
$2.75ΰΈΏ90.4
33.09%
Banana(1kg)
$1.45MX$25.34
$1.21ΰΈΏ39.70
19.83%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.87MX$32.67
$1.62ΰΈΏ53.2
15.43%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.78MX$31.00
$1.59ΰΈΏ52.1
11.95%
Potato(1kg)
$1.72MX$30.11
$1.40ΰΈΏ45.91
22.86%
Onion(1kg)
$1.82MX$31.84
$1.17ΰΈΏ38.34
55.56%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.26MX$22.00
$0.66ΰΈΏ21.70
90.91%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.75MX$13.14
$0.53ΰΈΏ17.30
41.51%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.24MX$74.1
$4.69ΰΈΏ154
-9.59%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.54MX$306
$18.66ΰΈΏ612
-6.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.02MX$35.22
$1.80ΰΈΏ59.0
12.22%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.22MX$56.2
$3.23ΰΈΏ106
-0.31%
π Getting Around
Santa Clara de Valladares
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.60MX$10.46
$0.90ΰΈΏ29.39
-33.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$19.21ΰΈΏ630
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.66MX$46.49
$1.41ΰΈΏ46.13
88.65%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.20MX$21.00
$1.29ΰΈΏ42.31
-6.98%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.27MX$162
$7.84ΰΈΏ257
18.24%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.25MX$21.91
$1.27ΰΈΏ41.77
-1.57%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.6KMX$342.7K
$21.3KΰΈΏ698.1K
-7.78%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.1KMX$351.2K
$22.2KΰΈΏ728.8K
-9.47%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Santa Clara de Valladares
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$26.60MX$465
$69.1ΰΈΏ2,266
-61.49%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.44MX$409
$14.08ΰΈΏ462
66.48%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.65MX$465
$18.00ΰΈΏ591
48.06%
π Sport & Entertainment
Santa Clara de Valladares
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$36.26MX$633
$41.06ΰΈΏ1,347
-11.69%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.08MX$281
$6.96ΰΈΏ228
131.03%
Cinema Ticket
$6.07MX$106
$5.92ΰΈΏ194
2.53%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Santa Clara de Valladares
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$320MX$5,594
$299ΰΈΏ9,811
7.11%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,842MX$84.6K
$15.0KΰΈΏ490.6K
-67.62%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Santa Clara de Valladares
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.0MX$890
$54.7ΰΈΏ1,795
-6.80%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.95MX$750
$26.77ΰΈΏ878
60.44%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$98.5MX$1,721
$85.0ΰΈΏ2,788
15.92%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$96.7MX$1,689
$70.6ΰΈΏ2,316
36.98%
π Accommodation & Living
Santa Clara de Valladares
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$518MX$9,052
$428ΰΈΏ14.0K
21.05%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$404MX$7,063
$237ΰΈΏ7,787
70.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$931MX$16.3K
$801ΰΈΏ26.3K
16.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$762MX$13.3K
$515ΰΈΏ16.9K
47.88%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,964MX$34.3K
$1,975ΰΈΏ64.8K
-0.52%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,303MX$22.8K
$1,475ΰΈΏ48.4K
-11.68%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Santa Clara de Valladares
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$617ΰΈΏ20.3K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.55
5
131.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Santa Clara de Valladares: May 30, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $518 in Santa Clara de Valladares versus $428 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.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Santa Clara de Valladares versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $237 vs $246 β making Santa Clara de Valladares 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
Santa Clara de Valladares vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Santa Clara de Valladares or Chiang Mai?
Santa Clara de Valladares 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 Santa Clara de Valladares vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,513 per month in Santa Clara de Valladares and $1,300 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Santa Clara de Valladares 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 dining costs compare in Santa Clara de Valladares vs Chiang Mai?
Are groceries more expensive in Santa Clara de Valladares or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 4% cheaper in Santa Clara de Valladares 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 Santa Clara de Valladares or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $866, than in Santa Clara de Valladares at $1,009. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Santa Clara de Valladares it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Santa Clara de Valladares or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $866 versus $1,009 in Santa Clara de Valladares. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Santa Clara de Valladares 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 Santa Clara de Valladares or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Santa Clara de Valladares makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Santa Clara de Valladares vs other spots: cost of living compared