πA single person spends $1,008 per month in Sidon vs $869 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,726 per month in Sidon vs $1,362 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,445 per month in Sidon vs $1,855 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πSidon costs about 16% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Sidon and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median β Sidon25% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Sidon
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.88LBPΒ 974.2K
$1.98ΰΈΏ64.3
449.49%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$60.4LBPΒ 5.4M
$18.80ΰΈΏ612
221.44%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.13LBPΒ 727.8K
$7.75ΰΈΏ252
4.90%
Cappuccino
$3.26LBPΒ 292.1K
$1.92ΰΈΏ62.5
69.79%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.60LBPΒ 143.2K
$0.79ΰΈΏ25.79
102.53%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.94LBPΒ 84.5K
$0.36ΰΈΏ11.62
161.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.55LBPΒ 317.3K
$2.21ΰΈΏ72.1
60.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.14LBPΒ 460.4K
$3.66ΰΈΏ119
40.44%
π Groceries & Markets
Sidon
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.76LBPΒ 157.5K
$1.65ΰΈΏ53.8
6.67%
White Bread(500g)
$0.81LBPΒ 72.1K
$1.63ΰΈΏ53.2
-50.31%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.80LBPΒ 161.3K
$1.19ΰΈΏ38.86
51.26%
Eggs
$3.06LBPΒ 273.9K
$2.00ΰΈΏ65.1
53.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.11LBPΒ 994.0K
$15.98ΰΈΏ520
-30.48%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.33LBPΒ 835.1K
$3.03ΰΈΏ98.5
207.92%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.26LBPΒ 1.0M
$10.86ΰΈΏ354
3.68%
Apples(1kg)
$1.82LBPΒ 162.9K
$2.76ΰΈΏ90.0
-34.06%
Banana(1kg)
$1.53LBPΒ 137.0K
$1.18ΰΈΏ38.42
29.66%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.15LBPΒ 102.8K
$1.64ΰΈΏ53.5
-29.88%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.08LBPΒ 96.8K
$1.52ΰΈΏ49.51
-28.95%
Potato(1kg)
$0.94LBPΒ 83.7K
$1.38ΰΈΏ45.10
-31.88%
Onion(1kg)
$1.04LBPΒ 93.4K
$1.19ΰΈΏ38.84
-12.61%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.81LBPΒ 72.3K
$0.70ΰΈΏ22.86
15.71%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56LBPΒ 50.5K
$0.56ΰΈΏ18.13
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.52LBPΒ 225.2K
$4.58ΰΈΏ149
-44.98%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.84LBPΒ 880.8K
$16.56ΰΈΏ539
-40.58%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.24LBPΒ 111.2K
$1.83ΰΈΏ59.5
-32.24%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.16LBPΒ 193.6K
$3.20ΰΈΏ104
-32.50%
π Getting Around
Sidon
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.06LBPΒ 184.0K
$0.88ΰΈΏ28.56
134.09%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$18.72ΰΈΏ610
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.88LBPΒ 436.8K
$1.36ΰΈΏ44.16
258.82%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.28LBPΒ 114.7K
$1.34ΰΈΏ43.65
-4.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$19.77LBPΒ 1.8M
$7.84ΰΈΏ256
152.17%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.96LBPΒ 85.6K
$1.23ΰΈΏ39.92
-21.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.5KLBPΒ 3.2B
$21.6KΰΈΏ704.3K
64.31%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.5KLBPΒ 2.5B
$22.5KΰΈΏ734.3K
21.88%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sidon
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$217LBPΒ 19.4M
$70.5ΰΈΏ2,298
207.24%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$37.64LBPΒ 3.4M
$13.68ΰΈΏ445
175.15%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.71LBPΒ 3.4M
$17.45ΰΈΏ568
116.10%
π Sport & Entertainment
Sidon
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$32.98LBPΒ 3.0M
$41.33ΰΈΏ1,346
-20.20%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.93LBPΒ 888.8K
$6.96ΰΈΏ227
42.67%
Cinema Ticket
$6.18LBPΒ 553.1K
$5.77ΰΈΏ188
7.11%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Sidon
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$303LBPΒ 27.1M
$307ΰΈΏ10.0K
-1.40%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,380LBPΒ 392.0M
$14.6KΰΈΏ475.9K
-70.02%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Sidon
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.8LBPΒ 6.3M
$55.8ΰΈΏ1,817
26.96%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.40LBPΒ 4.1M
$26.21ΰΈΏ854
73.22%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$121LBPΒ 10.8M
$85.8ΰΈΏ2,793
41.03%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$96.3LBPΒ 8.6M
$72.2ΰΈΏ2,353
33.25%
π Accommodation & Living
Sidon
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$254LBPΒ 22.7M
$430ΰΈΏ14.0K
-40.94%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$101LBPΒ 9.1M
$239ΰΈΏ7,774
-57.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$590LBPΒ 52.8M
$817ΰΈΏ26.6K
-27.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$400LBPΒ 35.8M
$511ΰΈΏ16.6K
-21.66%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$1,983ΰΈΏ64.6K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,484ΰΈΏ48.3K
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Sidon
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$619ΰΈΏ20.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.16
5
123.20%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sidon: June 8, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $254 in Sidon versus $430 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.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $60.0 in Sidon versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story β $232 in Sidon vs $241 in Chiang Mai β so Sidon wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
Sidon vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Sidon or Chiang Mai?
Sidon costs about 16% 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 Sidon vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,512 per month in Sidon and $1,303 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Sidon 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 dining costs compare in Sidon vs Chiang Mai?
Are groceries more expensive in Sidon or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 4% cheaper in Sidon β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $800/month in Sidon or Chiang Mai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably β all-in costs are $1,008 in Sidon and $869 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Sidon or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $869 versus $1,008 in Sidon. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Sidon 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 β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Sidon or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Sidon makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.