😐A single person spends $886 per month in Tegucigalpa vs $866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,430 per month in Tegucigalpa vs $1,351 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,975 per month in Tegucigalpa vs $1,835 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐Tegucigalpa costs about 2% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Tegucigalpa and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Tegucigalpa34% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tegucigalpa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.72HNL 152
$1.94฿63.5
194.85%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.08HNL 1,014
$18.64฿609
104.29%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.54HNL 201
$7.82฿255
-3.58%
Cappuccino
$2.29HNL 61.0
$1.95฿63.8
17.44%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.95HNL 25.23
$0.85฿27.77
11.76%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.14HNL 30.23
$0.35฿11.58
225.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.14HNL 30.35
$2.13฿69.6
-46.48%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.71HNL 72.2
$3.73฿122
-27.35%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tegucigalpa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.40HNL 37.25
$1.71฿56.0
-18.13%
White Bread(500g)
$2.15HNL 57.4
$1.63฿53.2
31.90%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.27HNL 33.70
$1.14฿37.15
11.40%
Eggs
$2.11HNL 56.1
$1.93฿63.1
9.33%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.97HNL 159
$16.21฿530
-63.17%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.76HNL 100
$3.12฿102
20.51%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.02HNL 213
$10.90฿356
-26.42%
Apples(1kg)
$2.90HNL 77.3
$2.75฿90.0
5.45%
Banana(1kg)
$1.47HNL 39.04
$1.21฿39.52
21.49%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.44HNL 38.25
$1.62฿53.0
-11.11%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.59HNL 42.43
$1.59฿51.8
-
Potato(1kg)
$1.64HNL 43.76
$1.40฿45.70
17.14%
Onion(1kg)
$1.35HNL 35.86
$1.17฿38.17
15.38%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90HNL 23.87
$0.66฿21.60
36.36%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.72HNL 45.73
$0.53฿17.22
224.53%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.44HNL 65.0
$4.69฿153
-47.97%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.66HNL 257
$18.66฿609
-48.23%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.34HNL 35.56
$1.80฿58.8
-25.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.77HNL 47.22
$3.23฿106
-45.20%
🚌 Getting Around
Tegucigalpa
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.50HNL 40.08
$0.90฿29.26
66.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$19.21฿628
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.17HNL 111
$1.41฿45.91
195.74%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.20HNL 85.1
$1.29฿42.12
148.06%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$7.84฿256
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.02HNL 27.20
$1.27฿41.58
-19.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.6KHNL 520.7K
$21.3K฿694.9K
-8.11%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.0KHNL 505.7K
$22.2K฿725.4K
-14.50%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tegucigalpa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.8HNL 2,179
$69.1฿2,256
18.49%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.89HNL 237
$14.08฿460
-36.86%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$41.08HNL 1,094
$18.00฿588
128.22%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tegucigalpa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$36.59HNL 974
$41.06฿1,341
-10.89%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.15HNL 404
$6.96฿227
117.67%
Cinema Ticket
$5.73HNL 153
$5.92฿193
-3.21%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tegucigalpa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$251HNL 6,683
$299฿9,766
-16.07%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$15.0K฿488.3K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tegucigalpa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.24HNL 1,205
$54.7฿1,787
-17.29%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.93HNL 957
$26.77฿874
34.22%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$107HNL 2,862
$85.0฿2,776
26.44%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$102HNL 2,722
$70.6฿2,306
44.79%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tegucigalpa
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$278HNL 7,416
$428฿14.0K
-34.96%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$239HNL 6,353
$237฿7,752
0.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$576HNL 15.3K
$801฿26.2K
-28.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$469HNL 12.5K
$515฿16.8K
-9.03%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,760HNL 73.5K
$1,975฿64.5K
39.79%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,566HNL 41.7K
$1,475฿48.2K
6.14%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tegucigalpa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$516HNL 13.7K
$617฿20.2K
-16.41%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12
5
140.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tegucigalpa: May 31, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $278 in Tegucigalpa versus $428 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 reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $38.00 in Tegucigalpa versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $208 in Tegucigalpa vs $246 in Chiang Mai – so Tegucigalpa 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
Tegucigalpa vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Tegucigalpa or Chiang Mai?
Tegucigalpa costs about 2% 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 Tegucigalpa vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,329 per month in Tegucigalpa and $1,300 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Tegucigalpa 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 dining costs compare in Tegucigalpa vs Chiang Mai?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $38.00 in Tegucigalpa and $19.00 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 Tegucigalpa or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 18% cheaper in Tegucigalpa – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $800/month in Tegucigalpa or Chiang Mai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $886 in Tegucigalpa and $866 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Tegucigalpa or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $866 versus $886 in Tegucigalpa. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Tegucigalpa 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 Tegucigalpa or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Tegucigalpa makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Tegucigalpa vs other spots: cost of living compared