ðA single person spends $600 per month in Tay Ninh vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $936 per month in Tay Ninh vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,273 per month in Tay Ninh vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðTay Ninh is about 30% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Tay Ninh and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median â Tay Ninh55% lower, Chiang Mai36% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Tay Ninh
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.31âŦ34.4K
$1.96āļŋ63.6
-33.16%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.49âŦ301.7K
$18.81āļŋ611
-38.92%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.71âŦ123.7K
$7.92āļŋ258
-40.53%
Cappuccino
$0.47âŦ12.3K
$1.91āļŋ62.2
-75.39%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40âŦ10.5K
$0.84āļŋ27.25
-52.38%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.13âŦ3,306
$0.35āļŋ11.44
-62.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.00âŦ26.3K
$2.21āļŋ71.7
-54.75%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.98âŦ25.7K
$3.80āļŋ124
-74.21%
ð Groceries & Markets
Tay Ninh
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.37âŦ36.0K
$1.64āļŋ53.2
-16.46%
White Bread(500g)
$0.74âŦ19.5K
$1.62āļŋ52.8
-54.32%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.69âŦ18.1K
$1.18āļŋ38.40
-41.53%
Eggs
$1.40âŦ36.8K
$2.01āļŋ65.4
-30.35%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.73âŦ308.0K
$15.89āļŋ517
-26.18%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$1.96âŦ51.4K
$3.01āļŋ98.0
-34.88%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.88âŦ180.7K
$10.77āļŋ350
-36.12%
Apples(1kg)
$1.72âŦ45.1K
$2.61āļŋ85.0
-34.10%
Banana(1kg)
$0.92âŦ24.1K
$1.22āļŋ39.65
-24.59%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.25âŦ32.7K
$1.70āļŋ55.4
-26.47%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.08âŦ28.3K
$1.58āļŋ51.2
-31.65%
Potato(1kg)
$1.11âŦ29.2K
$1.32āļŋ42.89
-15.91%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17âŦ30.6K
$1.17āļŋ38.01
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.55âŦ14.5K
$0.67āļŋ21.85
-17.91%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.28âŦ7,363
$0.56āļŋ18.21
-50.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.20âŦ31.5K
$4.53āļŋ147
-73.51%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.49âŦ170.4K
$18.20āļŋ592
-64.34%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.89âŦ23.5K
$1.83āļŋ59.6
-51.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.07âŦ28.0K
$3.23āļŋ105
-66.87%
ð Getting Around
Tay Ninh
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.32âŦ8,395
$0.89āļŋ28.83
-64.04%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$6.59âŦ173.0K
$19.38āļŋ630
-66.00%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.19âŦ4,966
$1.35āļŋ43.95
-85.93%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.69âŦ18.0K
$1.35āļŋ43.79
-48.89%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.09âŦ81.2K
$8.25āļŋ268
-62.55%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.86âŦ22.6K
$1.27āļŋ41.40
-32.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.0KâŦ971.7M
$21.2Kāļŋ687.8K
74.90%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.6KâŦ882.5M
$22.5Kāļŋ731.0K
49.44%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tay Ninh
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$29.01âŦ761.8K
$70.2āļŋ2,281
-58.65%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.97âŦ156.9K
$13.77āļŋ448
-56.64%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$6.77âŦ177.9K
$17.60āļŋ572
-61.53%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Tay Ninh
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.28âŦ663.8K
$41.57āļŋ1,352
-39.19%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.46âŦ195.9K
$6.60āļŋ215
13.03%
Cinema Ticket
$4.32âŦ113.5K
$5.78āļŋ188
-25.26%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Tay Ninh
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$66.4âŦ1.7M
$306āļŋ9,953
-78.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,939âŦ182.2M
$14.8Kāļŋ482.0K
-53.20%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Tay Ninh
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$17.01âŦ446.7K
$54.4āļŋ1,768
-68.71%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$11.63âŦ305.5K
$26.14āļŋ850
-55.51%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$98.2âŦ2.6M
$84.5āļŋ2,748
16.12%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$67.8âŦ1.8M
$69.4āļŋ2,257
-2.36%
ð Accommodation & Living
Tay Ninh
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$151âŦ4.0M
$424āļŋ13.8K
-64.30%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$251âŦ6.6M
$238āļŋ7,743
5.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$346âŦ9.1M
$825āļŋ26.8K
-58.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$466âŦ12.2M
$515āļŋ16.7K
-9.48%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$595âŦ15.6M
$2,049āļŋ66.6K
-70.96%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$365âŦ9.6M
$1,523āļŋ49.5K
-76.05%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Tay Ninh
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$214âŦ5.6M
$635āļŋ20.6K
-66.30%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.14
5
82.80%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tay Ninh: April 25, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $151 in Tay Ninh versus $424 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.
ð°Salaries run about 197% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $11.00 in Tay Ninh versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $150 vs $243 â making Tay Ninh 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
Tay Ninh vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Tay Ninh or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 42% more than Tay Ninh, 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 Tay Ninh vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $899 per month in Tay Ninh and $1,278 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Tay Ninh or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Tay Ninh, 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 Tay Ninh and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $66.4 per month in Tay Ninh and $306 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 Tay Ninh or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 62% 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 Tay Ninh or Chiang Mai?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $600 in Tay Ninh and $852 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Tay Ninh or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Tay Ninh costs $600 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 Tay Ninh 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 â central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Tay Ninh or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Tay Ninh. 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.