ðA single person spends $2,102 per month in Thetford Mines vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $2,598 per month in Thetford Mines vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $3,094 per month in Thetford Mines vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðThetford Mines costs about 147% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðThetford Mines sits 57% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 36% below â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Thetford Mines
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.83CA$16.21
$1.96āļŋ63.6
503.57%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.5CA$95.2
$18.81āļŋ611
269.38%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.87CA$12.15
$7.92āļŋ258
11.99%
Cappuccino
$3.71CA$5.09
$1.91āļŋ62.2
94.24%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22CA$3.05
$0.84āļŋ27.25
164.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.95CA$1.31
$0.35āļŋ11.44
171.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.36CA$4.61
$2.21āļŋ71.7
52.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.93CA$6.75
$3.80āļŋ124
29.74%
ð Groceries & Markets
Thetford Mines
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.67CA$2.29
$1.64āļŋ53.2
1.83%
White Bread(500g)
$2.57CA$3.52
$1.62āļŋ52.8
58.64%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.25CA$3.08
$1.18āļŋ38.40
90.68%
Eggs
$2.51CA$3.44
$2.01āļŋ65.4
24.88%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.27CA$14.07
$15.89āļŋ517
-35.37%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.50CA$8.91
$3.01āļŋ98.0
115.95%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.46CA$19.81
$10.77āļŋ350
34.26%
Apples(1kg)
$2.18CA$2.98
$2.61āļŋ85.0
-16.48%
Banana(1kg)
$2.26CA$3.10
$1.22āļŋ39.65
85.25%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.27CA$3.11
$1.70āļŋ55.4
33.53%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.24CA$3.08
$1.58āļŋ51.2
41.77%
Potato(1kg)
$2.25CA$3.08
$1.32āļŋ42.89
70.45%
Onion(1kg)
$2.64CA$3.62
$1.17āļŋ38.01
125.64%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.69CA$0.95
$0.67āļŋ21.85
2.99%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.25CA$1.71
$0.56āļŋ18.21
123.21%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$11.20CA$15.34
$4.53āļŋ147
147.24%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.16CA$15.28
$18.20āļŋ592
-38.68%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.49CA$2.05
$1.83āļŋ59.6
-18.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.52CA$3.45
$3.23āļŋ105
-21.98%
ð Getting Around
Thetford Mines
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.32CA$3.18
$0.89āļŋ28.83
160.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$63.7CA$87.3
$19.38āļŋ630
228.84%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$6.43CA$8.81
$1.35āļŋ43.95
376.30%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.75CA$3.76
$1.35āļŋ43.79
103.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$26.04CA$35.68
$8.25āļŋ268
215.64%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.10CA$1.51
$1.27āļŋ41.40
-13.39%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.0KCA$30.2K
$21.2Kāļŋ687.8K
4.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.2KCA$27.7K
$22.5Kāļŋ731.0K
-9.99%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Thetford Mines
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$101CA$139
$70.2āļŋ2,281
44.16%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$57.8CA$79.2
$13.77āļŋ448
319.90%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$46.71CA$64.0
$17.60āļŋ572
165.40%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Thetford Mines
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.82CA$57.3
$41.57āļŋ1,352
0.60%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.60āļŋ215
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.02CA$15.10
$5.78āļŋ188
90.66%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Thetford Mines
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$698CA$956
$306āļŋ9,953
127.92%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,492CA$6,154
$14.8Kāļŋ482.0K
-69.70%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Thetford Mines
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$47.35CA$64.9
$54.4āļŋ1,768
-12.91%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.26CA$34.61
$26.14āļŋ850
-3.37%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$63.7CA$87.3
$84.5āļŋ2,748
-24.64%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.4CA$95.1
$69.4āļŋ2,257
-
ð Accommodation & Living
Thetford Mines
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,316CA$1,804
$424āļŋ13.8K
210.74%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,181CA$1,618
$238āļŋ7,743
395.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$899CA$1,231
$825āļŋ26.8K
8.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$976CA$1,338
$515āļŋ16.7K
89.49%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,851CA$6,646
$2,049āļŋ66.6K
136.71%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,506CA$4,803
$1,523āļŋ49.5K
130.24%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Thetford Mines
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,296CA$1,775
$635āļŋ20.6K
103.99%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.5
5
-10.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Thetford Mines: April 26, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $1,316 in Thetford Mines 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 104% higher in Thetford Mines, 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 $69.0 in Thetford Mines versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $278 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
Thetford Mines vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Thetford Mines or Chiang Mai?
Thetford Mines costs about 147% 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 Thetford Mines vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,153 per month in Thetford Mines 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, Thetford Mines 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 Thetford Mines and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $698 per month in Thetford Mines 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 Thetford Mines or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 14% more in Thetford Mines, 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 Thetford Mines or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Thetford Mines at $2,102. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Thetford Mines it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Thetford Mines or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $2,102 in Thetford Mines. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Thetford Mines 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 Thetford Mines or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Thetford Mines makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Thetford Mines vs other spots: cost of living compared