ðA single person spends $1,712 per month in Sezana vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $2,527 per month in Sezana vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $3,343 per month in Sezana vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðSezana costs about 101% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðSezana sits 28% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 36% below â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Sezana
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.61âŽ9.93
$1.96āļŋ64.0
492.35%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.9âŽ45.25
$18.81āļŋ615
181.02%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.33âŽ7.99
$7.92āļŋ259
17.80%
Cappuccino
$2.67âŽ2.29
$1.91āļŋ62.6
39.79%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.51âŽ3.01
$0.84āļŋ27.41
317.86%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80âŽ1.54
$0.35āļŋ11.51
414.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.41âŽ2.92
$2.21āļŋ72.1
54.30%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.75âŽ4.06
$3.80āļŋ124
25.00%
ð Groceries & Markets
Sezana
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.35âŽ1.16
$1.64āļŋ53.5
-17.68%
White Bread(500g)
$1.61âŽ1.38
$1.62āļŋ53.1
-0.62%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.82âŽ2.42
$1.18āļŋ38.62
138.98%
Eggs
$3.41âŽ2.92
$2.01āļŋ65.8
69.65%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.72âŽ16.03
$15.89āļŋ520
17.81%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.79âŽ7.52
$3.01āļŋ98.5
192.03%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.58âŽ13.34
$10.77āļŋ352
44.66%
Apples(1kg)
$2.60âŽ2.23
$2.61āļŋ85.5
-0.38%
Banana(1kg)
$1.81âŽ1.55
$1.22āļŋ39.88
48.36%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.44âŽ2.09
$1.70āļŋ55.7
43.53%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.10âŽ3.51
$1.58āļŋ51.5
159.49%
Potato(1kg)
$1.70âŽ1.46
$1.32āļŋ43.14
28.79%
Onion(1kg)
$1.56âŽ1.34
$1.17āļŋ38.23
33.33%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.05âŽ1.76
$0.67āļŋ21.98
205.97%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.26âŽ1.08
$0.56āļŋ18.32
125.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.91âŽ5.06
$4.53āļŋ148
30.46%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.83âŽ5.85
$18.20āļŋ595
-62.47%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.42âŽ1.21
$1.83āļŋ60.0
-22.40%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.08âŽ1.78
$3.23āļŋ106
-35.60%
ð Getting Around
Sezana
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.42âŽ1.22
$0.89āļŋ29.00
59.55%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$31.57âŽ27.02
$19.38āļŋ634
62.90%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.71âŽ1.47
$1.35āļŋ44.20
26.67%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.27âŽ1.09
$1.35āļŋ44.05
-5.93%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$28.62âŽ24.50
$8.25āļŋ270
246.91%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.69âŽ1.45
$1.27āļŋ41.64
33.07%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.4KâŽ22.6K
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
24.73%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.0KâŽ24.0K
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
24.50%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sezana
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$314âŽ268
$70.2āļŋ2,294
346.96%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$15.07âŽ12.90
$13.77āļŋ450
9.44%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.97âŽ29.08
$17.60āļŋ575
93.01%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Sezana
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$51.6âŽ44.13
$41.57āļŋ1,360
24.03%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.60āļŋ216
-
Cinema Ticket
$8.15âŽ6.98
$5.78āļŋ189
41.00%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Sezana
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$522âŽ446
$306āļŋ10.0K
70.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,706âŽ7,452
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
-41.28%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Sezana
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$103âŽ88.3
$54.4āļŋ1,778
89.70%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.51âŽ29.54
$26.14āļŋ855
32.02%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$117âŽ100
$84.5āļŋ2,764
38.67%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$152âŽ130
$69.4āļŋ2,270
119.07%
ð Accommodation & Living
Sezana
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$666âŽ570
$424āļŋ13.9K
57.13%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$541âŽ463
$238āļŋ7,788
127.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,109âŽ950
$825āļŋ27.0K
34.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$971âŽ831
$515āļŋ16.8K
88.51%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,631âŽ3,108
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
77.16%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,208âŽ2,746
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
110.67%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Sezana
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$914âŽ783
$635āļŋ20.8K
43.92%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.65
5
-27.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sezana: April 26, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $666 in Sezana versus $424 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 44% higher in Sezana, 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 $53.0 in Sezana versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $312 vs $243 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
Sezana vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Sezana or Chiang Mai?
Sezana costs about 101% 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 Sezana vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,568 per month in Sezana and $1,278 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Sezana 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 Sezana and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $522 per month in Sezana and $306 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 Sezana or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 28% more in Sezana, 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 Sezana or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Sezana at $1,712. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Sezana it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Sezana or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $1,712 in Sezana. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Sezana 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 Sezana or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Sezana makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.