Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Shahrekord and Chiang Mai

For one person, living is cheaper in Shahrekord: $526 a month against $935 in Chiang Mai, rent and utilities included – about $4,900 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Shahrekord, Iran
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Shahrekord
🇮🇷 Iran
$526
/mo nomad
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$935
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Shahrekord and in Chiang Mai

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Shahrekord and in Chiang Mai actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $526 per month in Shahrekord vs $935 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Shahrekord $526
  • Chiang Mai $935

A couple spends around $831 per month in Shahrekord vs $1,467 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Shahrekord $831
  • Chiang Mai $1,467

A family of three spends $1,135 per month in Shahrekord vs $1,999 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Shahrekord $1,135
  • Chiang Mai $1,999

Shahrekord is about 44% cheaper than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Shahrekord and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Shahrekord 61% lower, Chiang Mai 31% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Shahrekord
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.45 $2.45
$2.13 ฿72.0
15.02%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$15.81 $15.81
$18.62 ฿628
-15.09%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.04 $4.04
$5.60 ฿189
-27.86%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.73 $0.73
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.06 $1.06
-
-
Cappuccino
$0.67 $0.67
$1.66 ฿56.1
-59.64%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43 $0.43
$0.65 ฿21.82
-33.85%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.98 $0.98
$0.30 ฿10.29
226.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.32 ฿78.3
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.67 ฿124
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Shahrekord
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.69 $0.69
$2.02 ฿68.0
-65.84%
White Bread (500g)
$0.52 $0.52
$1.41 ฿47.49
-63.12%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.01 $2.01
$1.39 ฿46.94
44.60%
Eggs
$1.18 $1.18
$2.37 ฿79.9
-50.21%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.31 $4.31
$16.52 ฿557
-73.91%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.43 $3.43
$2.67 ฿90.1
28.46%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.15 $10.15
$9.02 ฿304
12.53%
Apples (1kg)
$1.06 $1.06
$2.40 ฿80.9
-55.83%
Banana (1kg)
$1.60 $1.60
$1.04 ฿35.12
53.85%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.82 $0.82
$1.66 ฿56.0
-50.60%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.56 $0.56
$1.56 ฿52.6
-64.10%
Potato (1kg)
$0.53 $0.53
$1.24 ฿41.75
-57.26%
Onion (1kg)
$0.47 $0.47
$1.09 ฿36.65
-56.88%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.58 $0.58
$0.76 ฿25.70
-23.68%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.26 $0.26
$0.51 ฿17.34
-49.02%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$0.81 $0.81
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.51 $0.51
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.33 $1.33
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.56 $2.56
$4.12 ฿139
-37.86%
Wine (Bottle)
-
$17.93 ฿605
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.62 ฿54.8
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.82 ฿95.2
-
🚌 Getting Around
Shahrekord
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.15 $0.15
$0.93 ฿31.52
-83.87%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$9.88 $9.88
$52.9 ฿1,784
-81.32%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.39 $0.39
$1.18 ฿39.69
-66.95%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.31 $0.31
$0.17 ฿5.78
82.35%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.64 $2.64
$1.81 ฿61.1
45.86%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.09 $0.09
$1.47 ฿49.67
-93.88%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$50.5K $50.5K
$21.0K ฿708.7K
140.34%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$46.7K $46.7K
$26.5K ฿894.4K
75.94%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Shahrekord
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$13.03 $13.03
$62.6 ฿2,110
-79.17%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$1.54 $1.54
$11.60 ฿391
-86.72%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$3.81 $3.81
$20.30 ฿685
-81.23%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Shahrekord
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$18.95 $18.95
$37.88 ฿1,278
-49.97%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.65 $13.65
$3.70 ฿125
268.92%
Cinema Ticket
$1.96 $1.96
$6.51 ฿220
-69.89%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Shahrekord
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$107 $107
$727 ฿24.5K
-85.28%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,392 $2,392
$16.6K ฿559.0K
-85.57%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Shahrekord
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$23.02 $23.02
$53.5 ฿1,806
-57.00%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.71 $28.71
$24.80 ฿836
15.77%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.6 $95.6
$90.4 ฿3,049
5.80%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$73.1 $73.1
$72.0 ฿2,428
1.54%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Shahrekord
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$291 $291
$481 ฿16.2K
-39.62%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$214 $214
$310 ฿10.5K
-31.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$805 $805
$1,058 ฿35.7K
-23.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$362 $362
$659 ฿22.2K
-45.11%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$889 $889
$2,418 ฿81.5K
-63.23%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$499 $499
$1,609 ฿54.3K
-68.96%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Shahrekord
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$201 $201
$595 ฿20.1K
-66.28%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
24.3
5.57
336.27%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Shahrekord: October 31, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: November 1, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Shahrekord
$214
Chiang Mai
$310 45% $96
Groceries & Markets
Shahrekord
$114
Chiang Mai
$237 107% $122
Clothing & Footwear
Shahrekord
$99
Chiang Mai
$108 9.2% $9.1
Eating Out
Shahrekord
$45
Chiang Mai
$77 68.6% $31
Sport & Entertainment
Shahrekord
$23
Chiang Mai
$51 123% $28
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Shahrekord
$18
Chiang Mai
$94 414% $76
Getting Around
Shahrekord
$12
Chiang Mai
$59 372% $46

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $291 in Shahrekord versus $481 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.

Salaries in Chiang Mai are about 3 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $16 in Shahrekord versus $19 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $114 vs $237 – making Shahrekord the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇮🇷 Shahrekord
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🕒 Local time
12:53 12:53 PM
16:23 4:23 PM
3 h 30 min ahead of Shahrekord
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
129,153
127,240
💱 Currency
USD USD
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

THB, EUR to USD – USD Converter

USD exchange rates as of November 4, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 4, 2026: 1 USD = 33.73 THB (100 THB = 2.96 USD). 1 EUR = 37.81 THB (100 THB = 2.64 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Shahrekord Chiang Mai 5,010 km ≈ 7 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Shahrekord
  • Chiang Mai

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Shahrekord vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Shahrekord or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 78% more than Shahrekord, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. 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 Shahrekord and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $790 per month in Shahrekord and $1,403 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Shahrekord or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Shahrekord, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $291 there versus $481 in Chiang Mai.
How do childcare costs compare in Shahrekord and in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $107 per month in Shahrekord and $727 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 Shahrekord or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 107% more in Chiang Mai, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Shahrekord – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Shahrekord compared to Chiang Mai?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Should I move to Shahrekord or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Shahrekord. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chiang Mai makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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