Cost of Living Comparison Between Sucre and Chiang Mai Cost of Living Comparison Between Sucre and Chiang Mai

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $798 per month in Sucre vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,224 per month in Sucre vs $1,360 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,651 per month in Sucre vs $1,867 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Sucre is about 6% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Sucre and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Sucre 40% lower, Chiang Mai 36% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sucre
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.80 BOB 21.02
$2.04 ฿68.4
-11.76%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.23 BOB 167
$18.71 ฿626
-23.94%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.92 BOB 69.3
$7.86 ฿263
-24.68%
Cappuccino
$2.47 BOB 28.87
$2.03 ฿67.9
21.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.66 BOB 7.66
$0.80 ฿26.71
-17.50%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.55 BOB 6.46
$0.35 ฿11.71
57.14%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.46 BOB 17.09
$2.14 ฿71.7
-31.78%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.14 BOB 25.07
$3.67 ฿123
-41.69%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sucre
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.85 BOB 9.91
$1.73 ฿57.8
-50.87%
White Bread (500g)
$1.43 BOB 16.78
$1.57 ฿52.5
-8.92%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.24 BOB 14.56
$1.20 ฿40.10
3.33%
Eggs
$1.71 BOB 20.05
$1.97 ฿66.0
-13.20%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.54 BOB 53.1
$16.23 ฿543
-72.03%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.96 BOB 34.64
$3.06 ฿102
-3.27%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.32 BOB 50.6
$10.80 ฿361
-60.00%
Apples (1kg)
$1.79 BOB 20.90
$2.77 ฿92.6
-35.38%
Banana (1kg)
$0.89 BOB 10.45
$1.17 ฿39.05
-23.93%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.75 BOB 8.78
$1.71 ฿57.1
-56.14%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.90 BOB 33.91
$1.59 ฿53.3
82.39%
Potato (1kg)
$0.41 BOB 4.84
$1.39 ฿46.63
-70.50%
Onion (1kg)
$0.74 BOB 8.71
$1.16 ฿38.67
-36.21%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.28 BOB 3.24
$0.66 ฿22.11
-57.58%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.02 BOB 11.97
$0.52 ฿17.35
96.15%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.93 BOB 22.52
$4.65 ฿155
-58.49%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.40 BOB 74.9
$17.78 ฿595
-64.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76 BOB 20.58
$1.79 ฿59.8
-1.68%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.34 ฿112
-
🚌 Getting Around
Sucre
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.28 BOB 3.26
$0.91 ฿30.35
-69.23%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$23.16 BOB 271
$18.64 ฿624
24.25%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.73 BOB 8.56
$1.41 ฿47.17
-48.23%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$1.34 ฿44.82
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$8.11 ฿271
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.02 BOB 11.93
$1.23 ฿41.27
-17.07%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$14.3K BOB 167.3K
$21.4K ฿717.0K
-33.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.4K BOB 203.2K
$21.8K ฿730.0K
-20.42%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sucre
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$14.24 BOB 167
$71.3 ฿2,386
-80.04%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.88 BOB 244
$14.01 ฿469
49.04%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.14 BOB 306
$17.93 ฿600
45.79%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sucre
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$23.37 BOB 273
$40.82 ฿1,365
-42.75%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.73 BOB 137
$6.88 ฿230
70.49%
Cinema Ticket
$6.37 BOB 74.5
$5.72 ฿191
11.36%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sucre
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$308 ฿10.3K
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$14.7K ฿491.0K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sucre
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$35.77 BOB 419
$55.8 ฿1,865
-35.86%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$26.04 ฿871
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$71.7 BOB 838
$84.8 ฿2,837
-15.52%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$65.6 BOB 768
$71.0 ฿2,375
-7.56%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sucre
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$634 BOB 7,417
$423 ฿14.2K
49.78%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$378 BOB 4,422
$242 ฿8,110
55.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,041 BOB 12.2K
$797 ฿26.7K
30.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$691 BOB 8,083
$507 ฿17.0K
36.33%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$536 BOB 6,271
$1,918 ฿64.2K
-72.06%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$357 BOB 4,174
$1,464 ฿49.0K
-75.63%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sucre
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$202 BOB 2,363
$595 ฿19.9K
-66.05%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
0
5
-

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

Last update for Sucre: July 27, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $634 in Sucre versus $423 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 run about 195% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $14.00 in Sucre versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $146 vs $244 – making Sucre 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
Sucre vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Sucre or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 7% more than Sucre, 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 Sucre and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,197 per month in Sucre and $1,279 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Sucre or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Sucre, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How expensive is transport in Sucre compared to Chiang Mai?
Public transport costs about 24% less in Sucre. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Are groceries more expensive in Sucre or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 68% 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 $1,000/month in Sucre or in Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Sucre, where all-in costs run around $798, than in Chiang Mai at $852. In Sucre it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Sucre or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Sucre costs $798 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 Sucre 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 – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Sucre or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Sucre. 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.

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