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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,225 per month in Temuco vs $861 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,769 per month in Temuco vs $1,350 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,313 per month in Temuco vs $1,838 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Temuco costs about 42% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Temuco and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Temuco 8% lower, Chiang Mai 36% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$6.85 CLP 6,377

$1.96 ฿65.7

249.49%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.71 CLP 30.5K

$18.35 ฿616

78.26%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.47 CLP 6,955

$7.48 ฿251

-0.13%

Cappuccino

$4.03 CLP 3,752

$2.02 ฿67.7

99.50%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.19 CLP 2,044

$0.85 ฿28.45

157.65%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.28 CLP 1,190

$0.36 ฿11.94

255.56%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.80 CLP 3,541

$2.14 ฿71.7

77.57%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 CLP 3,239

$3.59 ฿121

-3.06%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.23 CLP 1,147

$1.65 ฿55.4

-25.45%

White Bread (500g)

$1.47 CLP 1,365

$1.57 ฿52.6

-6.37%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.34 CLP 1,249

$1.19 ฿39.95

12.61%

Eggs

$3.58 CLP 3,335

$1.94 ฿65.0

84.54%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.60 CLP 8,943

$16.19 ฿544

-40.70%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.34 CLP 5,901

$2.99 ฿100

112.04%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.38 CLP 11.5K

$10.94 ฿367

13.16%

Apples (1kg)

$1.92 CLP 1,786

$2.71 ฿91.0

-29.15%

Banana (1kg)

$2.03 CLP 1,893

$1.17 ฿39.18

73.50%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.18 CLP 2,027

$1.69 ฿56.6

28.99%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.23 CLP 2,078

$1.60 ฿53.9

39.37%

Potato (1kg)

$2.50 CLP 2,325

$1.38 ฿46.45

81.16%

Onion (1kg)

$2.58 CLP 2,404

$1.20 ฿40.38

115.00%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.86 CLP 1,733

$0.67 ฿22.46

177.61%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.24 CLP 1,154

$0.56 ฿18.70

121.43%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.89 CLP 4,558

$4.64 ฿156

5.39%

Wine (Bottle)

$5.12 CLP 4,772

$17.62 ฿591

-70.94%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.56 CLP 1,453

$1.86 ฿62.4

-16.13%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.18 CLP 2,028

$3.30 ฿111

-33.94%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.92 CLP 855

$0.88 ฿29.63

4.55%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$35.53 CLP 33.1K

$19.34 ฿649

83.71%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.84 CLP 778

$1.36 ฿45.82

-38.24%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.54 CLP 1,437

$1.34 ฿44.90

14.93%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$9.81 CLP 9,135

$8.21 ฿276

19.49%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.47 CLP 1,368

$1.22 ฿41.11

20.49%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$12.9K CLP 12.0M

$21.4K ฿716.8K

-39.41%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$18.4K CLP 17.1M

$22.5K ฿756.3K

-18.43%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$218 CLP 202.9K

$70.7 ฿2,372

208.33%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$11.89 CLP 11.1K

$14.04 ฿471

-15.31%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$15.05 CLP 14.0K

$17.49 ฿587

-13.95%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$51.0 CLP 47.5K

$42.15 ฿1,415

21.04%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$48.38 CLP 45.1K

$6.88 ฿231

603.20%

Cinema Ticket

$4.91 CLP 4,570

$5.92 ฿199

-17.06%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$231 CLP 215.0K

$309 ฿10.4K

-25.18%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,962 CLP 2.8M

$14.9K ฿499.5K

-80.09%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.28 CLP 44.0K

$55.8 ฿1,872

-15.21%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$18.02 CLP 16.8K

$26.11 ฿877

-30.98%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$67.2 CLP 62.5K

$83.0 ฿2,787

-19.10%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$87.4 CLP 81.4K

$70.5 ฿2,365

24.09%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$420 CLP 391.3K

$432 ฿14.5K

-2.75%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$346 CLP 321.9K

$239 ฿8,020

44.70%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$726 CLP 676.3K

$822 ฿27.6K

-11.67%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$537 CLP 500.3K

$512 ฿17.2K

4.94%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,125 CLP 2.0M

$1,915 ฿64.3K

10.96%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,737 CLP 1.6M

$1,467 ฿49.3K

18.41%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$552 CLP 514.4K

$579 ฿19.4K

-4.66%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.8

-4.00%

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

Last update for Temuco: July 13, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $420 in Temuco versus $432 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 5% 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 $33.00 in Temuco versus $18.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $243 in Temuco vs $243 in Chiang Mai – so Temuco 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

Temuco vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Temuco costs about 42% more than Chiang Mai, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,838 per month in Temuco and $1,292 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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.

Kindergarten costs $231 per month in Temuco and $309 in Chiang Mai. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 0% cheaper in Temuco – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $861, than in Temuco at $1,225. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Temuco it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $861 versus $1,225 in Temuco. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Temuco makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.