ðA single person spends $2,001 per month in Tervuren vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $2,936 per month in Tervuren vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $3,870 per month in Tervuren vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðTervuren costs about 135% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðTervuren sits 49% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 36% below â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Tervuren
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$22.80âŽ19.52
$1.96āļŋ64.0
1063.27%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$90.9âŽ77.8
$18.81āļŋ615
383.41%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.37âŽ9.73
$7.92āļŋ259
43.56%
Cappuccino
$4.36âŽ3.74
$1.91āļŋ62.6
128.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.01âŽ3.43
$0.84āļŋ27.41
377.38%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.36âŽ2.88
$0.35āļŋ11.51
860.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.09âŽ4.36
$2.21āļŋ72.1
130.32%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.50âŽ3.86
$3.80āļŋ124
18.42%
ð Groceries & Markets
Tervuren
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.36âŽ1.16
$1.64āļŋ53.5
-17.07%
White Bread(500g)
$2.30âŽ1.97
$1.62āļŋ53.1
41.98%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.99âŽ2.56
$1.18āļŋ38.62
153.39%
Eggs
$3.45âŽ2.95
$2.01āļŋ65.8
71.64%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.78âŽ10.08
$15.89āļŋ520
-25.87%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.59âŽ8.21
$3.01āļŋ98.5
218.60%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.69âŽ15.15
$10.77āļŋ352
64.25%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24âŽ1.92
$2.61āļŋ85.5
-14.18%
Banana(1kg)
$2.24âŽ1.92
$1.22āļŋ39.88
83.61%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.05âŽ1.76
$1.70āļŋ55.7
20.59%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.37âŽ2.03
$1.58āļŋ51.5
50.00%
Potato(1kg)
$2.16âŽ1.85
$1.32āļŋ43.14
63.64%
Onion(1kg)
$1.59âŽ1.36
$1.17āļŋ38.23
35.90%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90âŽ0.77
$0.67āļŋ21.98
34.33%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.22âŽ1.05
$0.56āļŋ18.32
117.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$12.57âŽ10.76
$4.53āļŋ148
177.48%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.43âŽ6.36
$18.20āļŋ595
-59.18%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.92âŽ1.64
$1.83āļŋ60.0
4.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.16âŽ1.85
$3.23āļŋ106
-33.13%
ð Getting Around
Tervuren
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.84âŽ2.43
$0.89āļŋ29.00
219.10%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$55.7âŽ47.66
$19.38āļŋ634
187.25%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$6.42âŽ5.49
$1.35āļŋ44.20
375.56%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.64âŽ2.26
$1.35āļŋ44.05
95.56%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$34.32âŽ29.37
$8.25āļŋ270
316.00%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.85âŽ1.58
$1.27āļŋ41.64
45.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.4KâŽ26.0K
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
43.83%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.0KâŽ24.0K
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
24.47%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tervuren
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$179âŽ153
$70.2āļŋ2,294
155.15%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.07âŽ18.03
$13.77āļŋ450
53.01%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$48.77âŽ41.75
$17.60āļŋ575
177.10%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Tervuren
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$38.02âŽ32.54
$41.57āļŋ1,360
-8.54%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.69âŽ14.29
$6.60āļŋ216
152.88%
Cinema Ticket
$14.28âŽ12.23
$5.78āļŋ189
147.06%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Tervuren
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$668âŽ572
$306āļŋ10.0K
118.17%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.7KâŽ11.7K
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
-7.44%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Tervuren
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105âŽ89.9
$54.4āļŋ1,778
93.21%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.04âŽ28.28
$26.14āļŋ855
26.40%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$116âŽ99.5
$84.5āļŋ2,764
37.43%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$134âŽ114
$69.4āļŋ2,270
92.40%
ð Accommodation & Living
Tervuren
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$886âŽ759
$424āļŋ13.9K
109.19%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$742âŽ635
$238āļŋ7,788
211.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,360âŽ1,164
$825āļŋ27.0K
64.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,103âŽ944
$515āļŋ16.8K
114.09%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,625âŽ3,103
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
76.90%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,504âŽ2,144
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
64.45%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Tervuren
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$635āļŋ20.8K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.42
5
-31.60%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tervuren: April 28, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $886 in Tervuren 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.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $91.0 in Tervuren versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $300 vs $243 â making Chiang Mai 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
Tervuren vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Tervuren or Chiang Mai?
Tervuren costs about 135% 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.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Tervuren vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,002 per month in Tervuren 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, Tervuren 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 Tervuren and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $668 per month in Tervuren 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 Tervuren or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 23% more in Tervuren, 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 Tervuren or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Tervuren at $2,001. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tervuren it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Tervuren or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $2,001 in Tervuren. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Tervuren 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 Tervuren or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Tervuren makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.