๐A single person spends $126 per month in Santa Cruz del Seibo vs $845 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $194 per month in Santa Cruz del Seibo vs $1,323 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $261 per month in Santa Cruz del Seibo vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐Santa Cruz del Seibo is about 85% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
๐Both Santa Cruz del Seibo and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median โ Santa Cruz del Seibo91% lower, Chiang Mai37% lower.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.98DOPย 601
$1.95เธฟ62.8
411.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$18.43เธฟ594
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.06DOPย 304
$7.50เธฟ241
-32.53%
Cappuccino
$1.94DOPย 117
$1.93เธฟ62.3
0.52%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.98DOPย 59.1
$0.78เธฟ25.08
25.64%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51DOPย 31.00
$0.32เธฟ10.42
59.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.15เธฟ69.2
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.71เธฟ120
-
๐ Groceries & Markets
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
-
$1.71เธฟ55.2
-
White Bread(500g)
-
$1.56เธฟ50.3
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
-
$1.18เธฟ38.06
-
Eggs
-
$1.98เธฟ63.9
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$16.04เธฟ517
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$3.17เธฟ102
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$10.94เธฟ353
-
Apples(1kg)
-
$2.63เธฟ84.7
-
Banana(1kg)
-
$1.17เธฟ37.61
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$1.65เธฟ53.0
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$1.54เธฟ49.51
-
Potato(1kg)
-
$1.38เธฟ44.34
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$1.17เธฟ37.54
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$0.66เธฟ21.25
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.51เธฟ16.55
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$4.52เธฟ146
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$18.32เธฟ590
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.80เธฟ57.9
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.18เธฟ102
-
๐ Getting Around
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.90เธฟ28.97
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$19.00เธฟ612
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$1.41เธฟ45.50
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.31เธฟ42.15
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$8.09เธฟ261
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$1.28เธฟ41.08
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$21.3Kเธฟ686.1K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$21.7Kเธฟ699.3K
-
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$69.2เธฟ2,230
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$13.97เธฟ450
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$17.95เธฟ578
-
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$42.31เธฟ1,363
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.66เธฟ214
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$5.92เธฟ191
-
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$299เธฟ9,640
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$14.8Kเธฟ478.4K
-
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$56.2เธฟ1,810
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$26.94เธฟ868
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$84.9เธฟ2,735
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$71.8เธฟ2,314
-
๐ Accommodation & Living
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$435เธฟ14.0K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$240เธฟ7,727
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$798เธฟ25.7K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$498เธฟ16.1K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$1,995เธฟ64.3K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,532เธฟ49.4K
-
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Santa Cruz del Seibo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$628เธฟ20.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
5
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Santa Cruz del Seibo: April 20, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $0 in Santa Cruz del Seibo 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.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $0 in Santa Cruz del Seibo versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $0 vs $244 โ making Santa Cruz del Seibo 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 Cruz del Seibo vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Santa Cruz del Seibo or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 570% more than Santa Cruz del Seibo, 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 Santa Cruz del Seibo vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $189 per month in Santa Cruz del Seibo and $1,267 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Santa Cruz del Seibo or Chiang Mai?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably โ all-in costs are $126 in Santa Cruz del Seibo and $845 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Santa Cruz del Seibo or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Santa Cruz del Seibo costs $126 versus $845 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Santa Cruz del Seibo 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 โ central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Santa Cruz del Seibo or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Santa Cruz del Seibo. 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.
Santa Cruz del Seibo vs other spots: cost of living compared