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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $597 per month in Taza vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $968 per month in Taza vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,338 per month in Taza vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Taza is about 30% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Taza and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Taza 55% lower, Chiang Mai 36% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Taza
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.93 MAD 36.35
$1.96 ฿63.6
100.51%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.17 MAD 177
$18.81 ฿611
1.91%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.44 MAD 59.5
$7.92 ฿258
-18.69%
Cappuccino
$1.68 MAD 15.50
$1.91 ฿62.2
-12.04%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.63 MAD 5.79
$0.84 ฿27.25
-25.00%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37 MAD 3.45
$0.35 ฿11.44
5.71%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.58 MAD 51.7
$2.21 ฿71.7
152.49%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.99 MAD 36.91
$3.80 ฿124
5.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Taza
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.82 MAD 7.59
$1.64 ฿53.2
-50.00%
White Bread (500g)
$0.51 MAD 4.68
$1.62 ฿52.8
-68.52%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.90 MAD 17.54
$1.18 ฿38.40
61.02%
Eggs
$1.92 MAD 17.73
$2.01 ฿65.4
-4.48%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.94 MAD 120
$15.89 ฿517
-18.57%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.15 MAD 56.9
$3.01 ฿98.0
104.32%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.83 MAD 109
$10.77 ฿350
9.84%
Apples (1kg)
$0.79 MAD 7.32
$2.61 ฿85.0
-69.73%
Banana (1kg)
$1.42 MAD 13.17
$1.22 ฿39.65
16.39%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.77 MAD 7.14
$1.70 ฿55.4
-54.71%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.58 MAD 5.33
$1.58 ฿51.2
-63.29%
Potato (1kg)
$0.42 MAD 3.87
$1.32 ฿42.89
-68.18%
Onion (1kg)
$0.42 MAD 3.87
$1.17 ฿38.01
-64.10%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.40 MAD 3.67
$0.67 ฿21.85
-40.30%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.61 MAD 5.67
$0.56 ฿18.21
8.93%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.38 MAD 40.54
$4.53 ฿147
-3.31%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.81 MAD 72.3
$18.20 ฿592
-57.09%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.42 MAD 22.42
$1.83 ฿59.6
32.24%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49 MAD 23.00
$3.23 ฿105
-22.91%
🚌 Getting Around
Taza
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.37 MAD 3.42
$0.89 ฿28.83
-58.43%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$14.21 MAD 131
$19.38 ฿630
-26.68%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.53 MAD 4.87
$1.35 ฿43.95
-60.74%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.72 MAD 6.70
$1.35 ฿43.79
-46.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.72 MAD 25.18
$8.25 ฿268
-67.03%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.46 MAD 13.49
$1.27 ฿41.40
14.96%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.0K MAD 342.0K
$21.2K ฿687.8K
74.78%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.3K MAD 271.2K
$22.5K ฿731.0K
30.38%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Taza
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$34.40 MAD 318
$70.2 ฿2,281
-50.96%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.18 MAD 103
$13.77 ฿448
-18.81%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$39.75 MAD 368
$17.60 ฿572
125.85%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Taza
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$16.77 MAD 155
$41.57 ฿1,352
-59.66%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.41 MAD 217
$6.60 ฿215
254.70%
Cinema Ticket
$4.27 MAD 39.48
$5.78 ฿188
-26.12%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Taza
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$81.8 MAD 756
$306 ฿9,953
-73.29%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,536 MAD 60.5K
$14.8K ฿482.0K
-55.91%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Taza
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$22.28 MAD 206
$54.4 ฿1,768
-59.02%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.42 MAD 235
$26.14 ฿850
-2.75%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$106 MAD 978
$84.5 ฿2,748
25.04%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$73.9 MAD 684
$69.4 ฿2,257
6.44%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Taza
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$109 MAD 1,004
$424 ฿13.8K
-74.38%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$66.6 MAD 616
$238 ฿7,743
-72.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$219 MAD 2,023
$825 ฿26.8K
-73.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$175 MAD 1,616
$515 ฿16.7K
-66.10%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,572 MAD 14.5K
$2,049 ฿66.6K
-23.27%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$937 MAD 8,669
$1,523 ฿49.5K
-38.46%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Taza
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$530 MAD 4,906
$635 ฿20.6K
-16.51%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.81
5
-3.80%

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

Last update for Taza: April 27, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $109 in Taza 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.

Salaries run about 20% 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 $19.00 in Taza versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $196 vs $243 – making Taza 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
Taza vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Taza or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 43% more than Taza, 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 Taza vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $895 per month in Taza and $1,278 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Taza or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Taza, 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 Taza and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $81.8 per month in Taza 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 Taza or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 24% 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 $800/month in Taza or Chiang Mai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $597 in Taza and $852 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Taza or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Taza costs $597 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 Taza 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 Taza or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Taza. 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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