πA single person spends $1,025 per month in TamΓ‘si vs $869 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,585 per month in TamΓ‘si vs $1,362 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,145 per month in TamΓ‘si vs $1,855 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πTamΓ‘si costs about 18% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth TamΓ‘si and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median β TamΓ‘si24% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
TamΓ‘si
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.67FtΒ 2,320
$1.98ΰΈΏ64.3
287.37%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$45.89FtΒ 13.9K
$18.80ΰΈΏ612
144.10%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.63FtΒ 1,703
$7.75ΰΈΏ252
-27.35%
Cappuccino
$2.06FtΒ 624
$1.92ΰΈΏ62.5
7.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.49FtΒ 451
$0.79ΰΈΏ25.79
88.61%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.39FtΒ 419
$0.36ΰΈΏ11.62
286.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.27FtΒ 687
$2.21ΰΈΏ72.1
2.71%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12FtΒ 640
$3.66ΰΈΏ119
-42.08%
π Groceries & Markets
TamΓ‘si
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05FtΒ 317
$1.65ΰΈΏ53.8
-36.36%
White Bread(500g)
$1.60FtΒ 485
$1.63ΰΈΏ53.2
-1.84%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18FtΒ 358
$1.19ΰΈΏ38.86
-0.84%
Eggs
$2.04FtΒ 616
$2.00ΰΈΏ65.1
2.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.70FtΒ 2,330
$15.98ΰΈΏ520
-51.81%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.65FtΒ 1,711
$3.03ΰΈΏ98.5
86.47%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.26FtΒ 3,407
$10.86ΰΈΏ354
3.68%
Apples(1kg)
$1.37FtΒ 414
$2.76ΰΈΏ90.0
-50.36%
Banana(1kg)
$1.41FtΒ 426
$1.18ΰΈΏ38.42
19.49%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.75FtΒ 528
$1.64ΰΈΏ53.5
6.71%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.77FtΒ 839
$1.52ΰΈΏ49.51
82.24%
Potato(1kg)
$0.96FtΒ 291
$1.38ΰΈΏ45.10
-30.43%
Onion(1kg)
$1.19FtΒ 359
$1.19ΰΈΏ38.84
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.43FtΒ 432
$0.70ΰΈΏ22.86
104.29%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48FtΒ 145
$0.56ΰΈΏ18.13
-14.29%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.36FtΒ 1,924
$4.58ΰΈΏ149
38.86%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.16FtΒ 1,260
$16.56ΰΈΏ539
-74.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.92FtΒ 280
$1.83ΰΈΏ59.5
-49.73%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.46FtΒ 442
$3.20ΰΈΏ104
-54.38%
π Getting Around
TamΓ‘si
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.18FtΒ 357
$0.88ΰΈΏ28.56
34.09%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$25.37FtΒ 7,675
$18.72ΰΈΏ610
35.52%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.88FtΒ 870
$1.36ΰΈΏ44.16
111.76%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.29FtΒ 390
$1.34ΰΈΏ43.65
-3.73%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$17.46FtΒ 5,283
$7.84ΰΈΏ256
122.70%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.68FtΒ 509
$1.23ΰΈΏ39.92
36.59%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.2KFtΒ 7.9M
$21.6KΰΈΏ704.3K
21.34%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.3KFtΒ 7.6M
$22.5KΰΈΏ734.3K
12.03%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
TamΓ‘si
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$105FtΒ 31.7K
$70.5ΰΈΏ2,298
48.53%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.87FtΒ 7,524
$13.68ΰΈΏ445
81.80%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.41FtΒ 4,058
$17.45ΰΈΏ568
-23.15%
π Sport & Entertainment
TamΓ‘si
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$46.78FtΒ 14.2K
$41.33ΰΈΏ1,346
13.19%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.60FtΒ 5,023
$6.96ΰΈΏ227
138.51%
Cinema Ticket
$6.98FtΒ 2,111
$5.77ΰΈΏ188
20.97%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
TamΓ‘si
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$223FtΒ 67.4K
$307ΰΈΏ10.0K
-27.42%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,210FtΒ 1.9M
$14.6KΰΈΏ475.9K
-57.49%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
TamΓ‘si
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$82.9FtΒ 25.1K
$55.8ΰΈΏ1,817
48.61%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.76FtΒ 9,004
$26.21ΰΈΏ854
13.54%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$69.5FtΒ 21.0K
$85.8ΰΈΏ2,793
-18.94%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$58.1FtΒ 17.6K
$72.2ΰΈΏ2,353
-19.64%
π Accommodation & Living
TamΓ‘si
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$451FtΒ 136.4K
$430ΰΈΏ14.0K
4.87%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$339FtΒ 102.6K
$239ΰΈΏ7,774
42.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$633FtΒ 191.7K
$817ΰΈΏ26.6K
-22.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$539FtΒ 163.2K
$511ΰΈΏ16.6K
5.59%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,333FtΒ 1.0M
$1,983ΰΈΏ64.6K
68.07%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,104FtΒ 636.7K
$1,484ΰΈΏ48.3K
41.81%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
TamΓ‘si
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,251FtΒ 378.3K
$619ΰΈΏ20.2K
102.08%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.85
5
17.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for TamΓ‘si: June 6, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $451 in TamΓ‘si 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.
π°Salaries run about 102% higher in TamΓ‘si, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $46.00 in TamΓ‘si versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story β $193 in TamΓ‘si vs $241 in Chiang Mai β so TamΓ‘si 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
TamΓ‘si vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, TamΓ‘si or Chiang Mai?
TamΓ‘si costs about 18% more than Chiang Mai, 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 TamΓ‘si vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,537 per month in TamΓ‘si 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, TamΓ‘si 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 childcare costs compare in TamΓ‘si and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $223 per month in TamΓ‘si and $307 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 TamΓ‘si or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 25% cheaper in TamΓ‘si β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $1,000/month in TamΓ‘si or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $869, than in TamΓ‘si at $1,025. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in TamΓ‘si it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, TamΓ‘si or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $869 versus $1,025 in TamΓ‘si. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is TamΓ‘si 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 TamΓ‘si or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, TamΓ‘si makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.