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 $673 per month in Sucre vs $932 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,012 per month in Sucre vs $1,399 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,352 per month in Sucre vs $1,866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Sucre is about 28% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Sucre and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Sucre 51% lower, Chiang Mai 32% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sucre
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.51 BOB 17.26
$2.08 ฿69.1
-27.40%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$16.00 BOB 183
$19.61 ฿651
-18.41%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.27 BOB 37.42
$5.67 ฿188
-42.33%
Cappuccino
$1.74 BOB 19.88
$1.81 ฿59.9
-3.87%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.80 BOB 9.19
$0.77 ฿25.51
3.90%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.54 BOB 6.16
$0.35 ฿11.46
54.29%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.05 BOB 23.48
$2.21 ฿73.5
-7.24%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.02 BOB 23.08
$3.79 ฿126
-46.70%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sucre
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.82 BOB 9.40
$2.05 ฿68.0
-60.00%
White Bread (500g)
$1.31 BOB 15.03
$1.51 ฿50.3
-13.25%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.92 BOB 10.56
$1.40 ฿46.44
-34.29%
Eggs
$1.29 BOB 14.78
$2.26 ฿75.0
-42.92%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$3.83 BOB 43.87
$16.19 ฿538
-76.34%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.44 BOB 27.91
$2.90 ฿96.2
-15.86%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.42 BOB 50.6
$9.42 ฿313
-53.08%
Apples (1kg)
$1.85 BOB 21.17
$2.68 ฿88.9
-30.97%
Banana (1kg)
$0.86 BOB 9.90
$1.09 ฿36.18
-21.10%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.76 BOB 8.70
$1.62 ฿53.7
-53.09%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.98 BOB 34.06
$1.46 ฿48.48
104.11%
Potato (1kg)
$0.45 BOB 5.19
$1.28 ฿42.42
-64.84%
Onion (1kg)
$0.78 BOB 8.88
$1.06 ฿35.12
-26.42%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.29 BOB 3.29
$0.72 ฿23.81
-59.72%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.87 BOB 9.98
$0.53 ฿17.46
64.15%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.07 BOB 12.21
$4.23 ฿140
-74.70%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.02 BOB 115
$18.29 ฿607
-45.22%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.35 BOB 15.46
$1.63 ฿54.1
-17.18%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.90 ฿96.3
-
🚌 Getting Around
Sucre
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.17 BOB 1.93
$0.88 ฿29.16
-80.68%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$53.8 ฿1,785
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.60 BOB 6.83
$1.17 ฿38.93
-48.72%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.42 BOB 4.84
$0.58 ฿19.20
-27.59%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$2.39 ฿79.2
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.75 BOB 8.56
$1.45 ฿48.15
-48.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$21.0K ฿697.6K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$26.4K ฿877.3K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sucre
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$14.59 BOB 167
$63.7 ฿2,113
-77.08%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.79 BOB 169
$12.89 ฿428
14.74%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.99 BOB 240
$20.52 ฿681
2.29%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sucre
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$27.49 BOB 315
$39.02 ฿1,295
-29.55%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$3.92 ฿130
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.63 BOB 64.4
$6.58 ฿218
-14.44%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sucre
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$101 BOB 1,160
$784 ฿26.0K
-87.07%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$14.7K ฿487.1K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sucre
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$37.83 BOB 433
$55.1 ฿1,830
-31.36%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$24.74 ฿821
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$75.9 BOB 868
$94.1 ฿3,125
-19.41%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$67.4 BOB 772
$74.0 ฿2,455
-8.83%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sucre
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$464 BOB 5,309
$490 ฿16.3K
-5.44%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$292 BOB 3,347
$288 ฿9,568
1.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$764 BOB 8,746
$891 ฿29.6K
-14.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$510 BOB 5,842
$521 ฿17.3K
-2.09%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$1,974 ฿65.5K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,444 ฿48.0K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sucre
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$332 BOB 3,798
$602 ฿20.0K
-44.87%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10
5.57
79.53%

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

Last update for Sucre: September 13, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $464 in Sucre versus $490 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 81% 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 $16.00 in Sucre versus $20.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $141 vs $241 – 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 39% 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 $1,009 per month in Sucre and $1,398 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 do dining costs compare in Sucre and in Chiang Mai?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $16.00 in Sucre and $20.00 in Chiang Mai. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Sucre or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 71% 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 $673, than in Chiang Mai at $932. 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 $673 versus $932 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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