ðA single person spends $371 per month in Shivamogga vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $606 per month in Shivamogga vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $841 per month in Shivamogga vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðShivamogga is about 56% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Shivamogga and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median â Shivamogga72% lower, Chiang Mai36% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Shivamogga
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.29âđ311
$1.96āļŋ63.6
67.86%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$15.24âđ1,442
$18.81āļŋ611
-18.98%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.18âđ490
$7.92āļŋ258
-34.60%
Cappuccino
$1.33âđ126
$1.91āļŋ62.2
-30.37%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35âđ33.56
$0.84āļŋ27.25
-58.33%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23âđ21.79
$0.35āļŋ11.44
-34.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.26âđ119
$2.21āļŋ71.7
-42.99%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.99âđ283
$3.80āļŋ124
-21.32%
ð Groceries & Markets
Shivamogga
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.54âđ50.7
$1.64āļŋ53.2
-67.07%
White Bread(500g)
$0.47âđ44.39
$1.62āļŋ52.8
-70.99%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.74âđ70.5
$1.18āļŋ38.40
-37.29%
Eggs
$0.84âđ79.8
$2.01āļŋ65.4
-58.21%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.40âđ417
$15.89āļŋ517
-72.31%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.18âđ301
$3.01āļŋ98.0
5.65%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$10.77āļŋ350
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.12âđ200
$2.61āļŋ85.0
-18.77%
Banana(1kg)
$0.69âđ64.9
$1.22āļŋ39.65
-43.44%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.54âđ51.5
$1.70āļŋ55.4
-68.24%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.42âđ40.10
$1.58āļŋ51.2
-73.42%
Potato(1kg)
$0.42âđ39.56
$1.32āļŋ42.89
-68.18%
Onion(1kg)
$0.47âđ44.07
$1.17āļŋ38.01
-59.83%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.24âđ22.85
$0.67āļŋ21.85
-64.18%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.42âđ39.75
$0.56āļŋ18.21
-25.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.59âđ339
$4.53āļŋ147
-20.75%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.74âđ638
$18.20āļŋ592
-62.97%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.98âđ92.9
$1.83āļŋ59.6
-46.45%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.77âđ167
$3.23āļŋ105
-45.20%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
$4.56âđ432
-
-
ð Getting Around
Shivamogga
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.28âđ26.26
$0.89āļŋ28.83
-68.54%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.61âđ814
$19.38āļŋ630
-55.57%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.18âđ111
$1.35āļŋ43.95
-12.59%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.35āļŋ43.79
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.38âđ225
$8.25āļŋ268
-71.15%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.15âđ109
$1.27āļŋ41.40
-9.45%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$11.4Kâđ1.1M
$21.2Kāļŋ687.8K
-46.02%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.8Kâđ3.1M
$22.5Kāļŋ731.0K
45.82%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Shivamogga
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$23.55âđ2,228
$70.2āļŋ2,281
-66.43%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$1.96âđ186
$13.77āļŋ448
-85.77%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.50âđ804
$17.60āļŋ572
-51.70%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Shivamogga
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$8.31âđ786
$41.57āļŋ1,352
-80.01%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.86âđ649
$6.60āļŋ215
3.94%
Cinema Ticket
$2.37âđ224
$5.78āļŋ188
-59.00%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Shivamogga
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$51.8âđ4,900
$306āļŋ9,953
-83.08%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,916âđ181.3K
$14.8Kāļŋ482.0K
-87.08%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Shivamogga
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$33.58âđ3,178
$54.4āļŋ1,768
-38.24%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.68âđ2,713
$26.14āļŋ850
9.72%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$52.0âđ4,922
$84.5āļŋ2,748
-38.48%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$23.65âđ2,237
$69.4āļŋ2,257
-65.94%
ð Accommodation & Living
Shivamogga
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$122âđ11.5K
$424āļŋ13.8K
-71.25%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$86.0âđ8,134
$238āļŋ7,743
-63.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$273âđ25.8K
$825āļŋ26.8K
-66.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$178âđ16.8K
$515āļŋ16.7K
-65.44%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,049āļŋ66.6K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,523āļŋ49.5K
-
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Shivamogga
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$422âđ39.9K
$635āļŋ20.6K
-33.53%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.47
5
69.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Shivamogga: April 28, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $122 in Shivamogga 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 50% 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 $15 in Shivamogga versus $19 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $95 vs $243 â making Shivamogga 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
Shivamogga vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Shivamogga or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 130% more than Shivamogga, 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 Shivamogga vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $557 per month in Shivamogga 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, Shivamogga or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Shivamogga, 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 Shivamogga and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $51.8 per month in Shivamogga 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 Shivamogga or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 157% 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 $800/month in Shivamogga or Chiang Mai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $371 in Shivamogga and $852 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Shivamogga or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Shivamogga costs $371 versus $852 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Shivamogga 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 Shivamogga or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Shivamogga. 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.
Shivamogga vs other spots: cost of living compared