Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Souk Ahras and Chiang Mai

For one person, living is cheaper in Souk Ahras: $500 a month against $936 in Chiang Mai, rent and utilities included – about $5,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Souk Ahras, Algeria
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Souk Ahras
🇩🇿 Algeria
$500
/mo nomad
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$936
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Souk Ahras 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 Souk Ahras and in Chiang Mai actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $500 per month in Souk Ahras vs $936 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Souk Ahras $500
  • Chiang Mai $936

A couple spends around $782 per month in Souk Ahras vs $1,457 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Souk Ahras $782
  • Chiang Mai $1,457

A family of three spends $1,065 per month in Souk Ahras vs $1,979 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Souk Ahras $1,065
  • Chiang Mai $1,979

Souk Ahras is about 47% cheaper than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Souk Ahras and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Souk Ahras 63% lower, Chiang Mai 31% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Souk Ahras
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.24 DZD 302
$2.24 ฿75.7
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.47 DZD 1,410
$19.00 ฿642
-44.89%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.10 DZD 552
$5.55 ฿188
-26.13%
Cappuccino
$0.67 DZD 90.1
$1.67 ฿56.6
-59.88%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48 DZD 64.8
$0.64 ฿21.56
-25.00%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23 DZD 30.75
$0.31 ฿10.32
-25.81%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.70 DZD 228
$2.36 ฿79.6
-27.97%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.45 DZD 330
$3.66 ฿124
-33.06%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Souk Ahras
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.83 DZD 112
$1.95 ฿65.8
-57.44%
White Bread (500g)
$0.17 DZD 22.24
$1.44 ฿48.51
-88.19%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.26 DZD 169
$1.33 ฿45.07
-5.26%
Eggs
$1.19 DZD 160
$2.28 ฿77.1
-47.81%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$3.32 DZD 447
$16.45 ฿556
-79.82%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.82 DZD 380
$2.78 ฿94.0
1.44%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.44 DZD 2,213
$9.31 ฿314
76.58%
Apples (1kg)
$1.45 DZD 196
$2.35 ฿79.5
-38.30%
Banana (1kg)
$2.88 DZD 388
$0.97 ฿32.82
196.91%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.10 DZD 149
$1.60 ฿53.9
-31.25%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.97 DZD 130
$1.50 ฿50.7
-35.33%
Potato (1kg)
$0.40 DZD 53.4
$1.28 ฿43.15
-68.75%
Onion (1kg)
$0.38 DZD 50.9
$1.10 ฿37.22
-65.45%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.22 DZD 29.43
$0.71 ฿23.84
-69.01%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.28 DZD 37.92
$0.49 ฿16.38
-42.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.17 DZD 292
$4.14 ฿140
-47.58%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.68 DZD 899
$17.52 ฿592
-61.87%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.08 DZD 145
$1.61 ฿54.5
-32.92%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18 DZD 294
$2.78 ฿94.0
-21.58%
🚌 Getting Around
Souk Ahras
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.18 DZD 23.71
$0.87 ฿29.33
-79.31%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$6.28 DZD 846
$54.1 ฿1,827
-88.39%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.57 DZD 76.5
$1.16 ฿39.08
-50.86%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.52 DZD 70.7
$0.53 ฿17.82
-1.89%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.60 DZD 620
$2.42 ฿81.8
90.08%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.33 DZD 43.82
$1.45 ฿48.93
-77.24%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.0K DZD 4.3M
$21.1K ฿711.2K
51.95%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.1K DZD 4.6M
$26.9K ฿909.8K
26.47%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Souk Ahras
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$36.36 DZD 4,896
$62.2 ฿2,100
-41.52%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.31 DZD 1,253
$12.17 ฿411
-23.50%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.12 DZD 2,575
$20.12 ฿680
-4.97%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Souk Ahras
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$11.80 DZD 1,589
$37.31 ฿1,260
-68.37%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.79 DZD 511
$3.77 ฿127
0.53%
Cinema Ticket
$4.59 DZD 618
$6.49 ฿219
-29.28%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Souk Ahras
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$88.1 DZD 11.9K
$736 ฿24.9K
-88.03%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,890 DZD 658.5K
$14.8K ฿498.6K
-66.88%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Souk Ahras
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$30.07 DZD 4,049
$53.4 ฿1,802
-43.66%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.06 DZD 4,857
$24.64 ฿832
46.35%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$76.6 DZD 10.3K
$91.5 ฿3,089
-16.29%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.1 DZD 10.5K
$71.9 ฿2,429
8.58%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Souk Ahras
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$144 DZD 19.4K
$482 ฿16.3K
-70.20%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$93.6 DZD 12.6K
$309 ฿10.4K
-69.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$292 DZD 39.4K
$1,006 ฿34.0K
-70.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$175 DZD 23.5K
$633 ฿21.4K
-72.40%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$966 DZD 130.0K
$2,363 ฿79.8K
-59.14%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,030 DZD 138.7K
$1,589 ฿53.7K
-35.19%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Souk Ahras
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$288 DZD 38.8K
$590 ฿19.9K
-51.12%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.3
5.57
-4.85%

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

Last update for Souk Ahras: October 26, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Groceries & Markets
Souk Ahras
$156
Chiang Mai
$234 50% $78
Clothing & Footwear
Souk Ahras
$99
Chiang Mai
$109 9.3% $9.3
Accommodation & Living
Souk Ahras
$94
Chiang Mai
$309 230% $215
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Souk Ahras
$65
Chiang Mai
$94 45.8% $30
Eating Out
Souk Ahras
$54
Chiang Mai
$78 42.4% $23
Sport & Entertainment
Souk Ahras
$21
Chiang Mai
$50 140% $29
Getting Around
Souk Ahras
$10
Chiang Mai
$61 503% $51

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $144 in Souk Ahras versus $482 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 2 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $10 in Souk Ahras versus $19 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $156 vs $234 – making Souk Ahras the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇩🇿 Souk Ahras
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🕒 Local time
20:48 8:48 PM
02:48 2:48 AM
6 h ahead of Souk Ahras
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
155,259
127,240
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

THB, USD, EUR to DZD – Algerian Dinar Converter

Algerian Dinar exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 135 DZD (1,000 DZD = 7.43 USD). 1 EUR = 150 DZD (1,000 DZD = 6.67 EUR).

Thai Baht exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 33.77 THB (100 THB = 2.96 USD). 1 EUR = 37.59 THB (100 THB = 2.66 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Souk Ahras Chiang Mai 8,870 km ≈ 12 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Souk Ahras
  • 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
Souk Ahras vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Souk Ahras or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 87% more than Souk Ahras, 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 Souk Ahras and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $749 per month in Souk Ahras 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, Souk Ahras or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Souk Ahras, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $144 there versus $482 in Chiang Mai.
How do childcare costs compare in Souk Ahras and in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $88 per month in Souk Ahras and $736 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 Souk Ahras or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 50% more in Chiang Mai, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Souk Ahras – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Souk Ahras 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 Souk Ahras or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Souk Ahras. 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.

Souk Ahras vs other spots: cost of living compared

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