ðA single person spends $315 per month in Shajapur vs $845 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $502 per month in Shajapur vs $1,323 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $688 per month in Shajapur vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðShajapur is about 63% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Shajapur and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median â Shajapur76% lower, Chiang Mai37% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Shajapur
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.14âđ107
$1.95āļŋ62.8
-41.54%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$5.11âđ479
$18.43āļŋ594
-72.27%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.94âđ276
$7.50āļŋ241
-60.80%
Cappuccino
$1.08âđ101
$1.93āļŋ62.3
-44.04%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45âđ42.70
$0.78āļŋ25.08
-42.31%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.13âđ11.87
$0.32āļŋ10.42
-59.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.47âđ138
$2.15āļŋ69.2
-31.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.31âđ217
$3.71āļŋ120
-37.74%
ð Groceries & Markets
Shajapur
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.70âđ65.7
$1.71āļŋ55.2
-59.06%
White Bread(500g)
$0.46âđ42.89
$1.56āļŋ50.3
-70.51%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.74âđ69.7
$1.18āļŋ38.06
-37.29%
Eggs
$0.93âđ87.5
$1.98āļŋ63.9
-53.03%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.78âđ354
$16.04āļŋ517
-76.43%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.91âđ274
$3.17āļŋ102
-8.20%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$10.94āļŋ353
-
Apples(1kg)
$1.99âđ187
$2.63āļŋ84.7
-24.33%
Banana(1kg)
$0.36âđ34.20
$1.17āļŋ37.61
-69.23%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.59âđ55.7
$1.65āļŋ53.0
-64.24%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.49âđ45.65
$1.54āļŋ49.51
-68.18%
Potato(1kg)
$0.35âđ33.30
$1.38āļŋ44.34
-74.64%
Onion(1kg)
$0.34âđ31.88
$1.17āļŋ37.54
-70.94%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.53âđ49.86
$0.66āļŋ21.25
-19.70%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.32âđ29.66
$0.51āļŋ16.55
-37.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.45âđ324
$4.52āļŋ146
-23.67%
Wine(Bottle)
$2.59âđ243
$18.32āļŋ590
-85.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.88âđ176
$1.80āļŋ57.9
4.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28âđ214
$3.18āļŋ102
-28.30%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
$5.64âđ529
-
-
ð Getting Around
Shajapur
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30âđ28.46
$0.90āļŋ28.97
-66.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.52âđ800
$19.00āļŋ612
-55.16%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.36âđ33.87
$1.41āļŋ45.50
-74.47%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.31āļŋ42.15
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.34âđ220
$8.09āļŋ261
-71.08%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.18âđ111
$1.28āļŋ41.08
-7.81%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$13.5Kâđ1.3M
$21.3Kāļŋ686.1K
-36.61%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.3Kâđ2.0M
$21.7Kāļŋ699.3K
-1.70%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Shajapur
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$28.61âđ2,686
$69.2āļŋ2,230
-58.66%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.33âđ219
$13.97āļŋ450
-83.32%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.34âđ782
$17.95āļŋ578
-53.54%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Shajapur
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$15.97âđ1,499
$42.31āļŋ1,363
-62.25%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.85âđ643
$6.66āļŋ214
2.85%
Cinema Ticket
$2.29âđ215
$5.92āļŋ191
-61.32%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Shajapur
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$49.05âđ4,604
$299āļŋ9,640
-83.61%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,037âđ97.4K
$14.8Kāļŋ478.4K
-93.01%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Shajapur
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$17.15âđ1,610
$56.2āļŋ1,810
-69.48%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.37âđ2,287
$26.94āļŋ868
-9.54%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$29.49âđ2,768
$84.9āļŋ2,735
-65.25%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$11.83âđ1,111
$71.8āļŋ2,314
-83.53%
ð Accommodation & Living
Shajapur
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$122âđ11.5K
$435āļŋ14.0K
-71.87%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$76.1âđ7,141
$240āļŋ7,727
-68.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$273âđ25.6K
$798āļŋ25.7K
-65.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$179âđ16.8K
$498āļŋ16.1K
-64.01%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$950âđ89.1K
$1,995āļŋ64.3K
-52.41%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$523âđ49.1K
$1,532āļŋ49.4K
-65.87%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Shajapur
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$158âđ14.8K
$628āļŋ20.2K
-74.86%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.8
5
76.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Shajapur: April 20, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $122 in Shajapur 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.
ð°Salaries run about 298% higher in Chiang Mai, 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 $5 in Shajapur versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $88 vs $244 â making Shajapur 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
Shajapur vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Shajapur or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 168% more than Shajapur, 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 Shajapur vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $473 per month in Shajapur and $1,267 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Shajapur or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Shajapur, 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 Shajapur and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $49.05 per month in Shajapur 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 Shajapur or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 177% more in Chiang Mai, 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 $1,200/month in Shajapur or Chiang Mai?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $315 in Shajapur and $845 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Shajapur or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Shajapur costs $315 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 Shajapur 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 Shajapur or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Shajapur. 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.