ðA single person spends $1,653 per month in Seixal vs $872 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $2,424 per month in Seixal vs $1,337 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $3,195 per month in Seixal vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðSeixal costs about 90% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðSeixal sits 23% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 35% below â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Seixal
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.69âŽ11.65
$2.01āļŋ64.5
581.09%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$45.62âŽ38.82
$18.23āļŋ584
150.25%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.19âŽ7.82
$7.65āļŋ245
20.13%
Cappuccino
$2.78âŽ2.36
$1.92āļŋ61.5
44.79%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12âŽ1.81
$0.84āļŋ26.97
152.38%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.52âŽ1.29
$0.36āļŋ11.42
322.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.30âŽ1.96
$2.19āļŋ70.2
5.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.40âŽ2.89
$3.79āļŋ121
-10.29%
ð Groceries & Markets
Seixal
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.07âŽ0.91
$1.64āļŋ52.5
-34.76%
White Bread(500g)
$1.75âŽ1.49
$1.62āļŋ52.0
8.02%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.70âŽ1.44
$1.15āļŋ36.98
47.83%
Eggs
$3.08âŽ2.62
$1.94āļŋ62.2
58.76%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.89âŽ10.12
$15.94āļŋ511
-25.41%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.88âŽ6.70
$3.10āļŋ99.5
154.19%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.23âŽ12.11
$11.07āļŋ355
28.55%
Apples(1kg)
$2.33âŽ1.98
$2.71āļŋ86.8
-14.02%
Banana(1kg)
$1.67âŽ1.42
$1.18āļŋ37.80
41.53%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.18âŽ1.85
$1.71āļŋ54.7
27.49%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.81âŽ2.39
$1.61āļŋ51.5
74.53%
Potato(1kg)
$1.82âŽ1.55
$1.39āļŋ44.66
30.94%
Onion(1kg)
$1.95âŽ1.66
$1.15āļŋ36.81
69.57%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.32âŽ1.13
$0.71āļŋ22.83
85.92%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85âŽ0.72
$0.55āļŋ17.65
54.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.12âŽ5.21
$4.57āļŋ146
33.92%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.01âŽ5.12
$18.87āļŋ605
-68.15%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.30âŽ1.11
$1.82āļŋ58.4
-28.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09âŽ1.78
$3.21āļŋ103
-34.89%
ð Getting Around
Seixal
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.28âŽ1.94
$0.88āļŋ28.24
159.09%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.59âŽ39.65
$18.89āļŋ606
146.64%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.20âŽ3.57
$1.41āļŋ45.30
197.87%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.81âŽ0.69
$1.30āļŋ41.71
-37.69%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$18.74âŽ15.95
$8.20āļŋ263
128.54%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.98âŽ1.69
$1.23āļŋ39.29
60.98%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.2KâŽ29.1K
$21.2Kāļŋ678.9K
61.29%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.7KâŽ33.8K
$22.3Kāļŋ715.3K
77.94%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Seixal
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$150âŽ128
$69.9āļŋ2,240
115.09%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.44âŽ17.39
$14.07āļŋ451
45.27%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$38.88âŽ33.09
$17.70āļŋ567
119.66%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Seixal
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$35.12âŽ29.89
$41.41āļŋ1,328
-15.19%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.69āļŋ215
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.86âŽ6.69
$5.74āļŋ184
36.93%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Seixal
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$621âŽ529
$299āļŋ9,593
107.64%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.2KâŽ13.8K
$15.0Kāļŋ481.2K
7.88%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Seixal
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$103âŽ87.5
$54.8āļŋ1,758
87.50%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.29âŽ33.44
$26.35āļŋ845
49.11%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$99.9âŽ85.0
$84.7āļŋ2,714
18.02%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122âŽ103
$69.7āļŋ2,236
74.23%
ð Accommodation & Living
Seixal
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$936âŽ796
$427āļŋ13.7K
119.16%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$694âŽ591
$241āļŋ7,718
188.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,416âŽ1,205
$811āļŋ26.0K
74.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,162âŽ989
$498āļŋ16.0K
133.08%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,357âŽ2,857
$2,022āļŋ64.8K
66.00%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,177âŽ1,853
$1,524āļŋ48.9K
42.88%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Seixal
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,668âŽ1,420
$639āļŋ20.5K
160.98%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.81
5
-23.80%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Seixal: April 13, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $936 in Seixal versus $427 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.
ð°Salaries run about 161% higher in Seixal, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $46 in Seixal versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $257 vs $246 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
Seixal vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Seixal or Chiang Mai?
Seixal costs about 90% 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 Seixal vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,480 per month in Seixal and $1,308 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Seixal 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 Seixal and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $621 per month in Seixal 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 Seixal or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 4% more in Seixal, 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 Seixal or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $872, than in Seixal at $1,653. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Seixal it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Seixal or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $872 versus $1,653 in Seixal. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Seixal 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 Seixal or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Seixal makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.