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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $344 per month in Thoothukudi vs $845 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $583 per month in Thoothukudi vs $1,323 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $822 per month in Thoothukudi vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Thoothukudi is about 59% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Thoothukudi and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median โ€“ Thoothukudi 74% lower, Chiang Mai 37% lower.

Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Thoothukudi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$0.94 โ‚น88.5
$1.95 เธฟ62.8
-51.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.05 โ‚น850
$18.43 เธฟ594
-50.90%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.63 โ‚น434
$7.50 เธฟ241
-38.27%
Cappuccino
$1.41 โ‚น132
$1.93 เธฟ62.3
-26.94%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43 โ‚น40.53
$0.78 เธฟ25.08
-44.87%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.18 โ‚น16.54
$0.32 เธฟ10.42
-43.75%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.70 โ‚น160
$2.15 เธฟ69.2
-20.93%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88 โ‚น270
$3.71 เธฟ120
-22.37%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Thoothukudi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.70 โ‚น65.7
$1.71 เธฟ55.2
-59.06%
White Bread (500g)
$0.46 โ‚น43.27
$1.56 เธฟ50.3
-70.51%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.65 โ‚น60.6
$1.18 เธฟ38.06
-44.92%
Eggs
$0.76 โ‚น71.4
$1.98 เธฟ63.9
-61.62%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$3.55 โ‚น333
$16.04 เธฟ517
-77.87%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.06 โ‚น287
$3.17 เธฟ102
-3.47%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
-
$10.94 เธฟ353
-
Apples (1kg)
$2.24 โ‚น210
$2.63 เธฟ84.7
-14.83%
Banana (1kg)
$0.77 โ‚น71.9
$1.17 เธฟ37.61
-34.19%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.08 โ‚น102
$1.65 เธฟ53.0
-34.55%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.54 โ‚น50.7
$1.54 เธฟ49.51
-64.94%
Potato (1kg)
$0.49 โ‚น45.91
$1.38 เธฟ44.34
-64.49%
Onion (1kg)
$0.59 โ‚น55.6
$1.17 เธฟ37.54
-49.57%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.71 โ‚น67.0
$0.66 เธฟ21.25
7.58%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.35 โ‚น33.15
$0.51 เธฟ16.55
-31.37%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.61 โ‚น433
$4.52 เธฟ146
1.99%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.86 โ‚น737
$18.32 เธฟ590
-57.10%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.28 โ‚น120
$1.80 เธฟ57.9
-28.89%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66 โ‚น156
$3.18 เธฟ102
-47.80%
Buffalo Round (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) (1kg)
$3.30 โ‚น310
-
-
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Thoothukudi
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.56 โ‚น52.6
$0.90 เธฟ28.97
-37.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$17.64 โ‚น1,655
$19.00 เธฟ612
-7.16%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.54 โ‚น50.6
$1.41 เธฟ45.50
-61.70%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$1.31 เธฟ42.15
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.18 โ‚น111
$8.09 เธฟ261
-85.41%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.18 โ‚น110
$1.28 เธฟ41.08
-7.81%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$11.6K โ‚น1.1M
$21.3K เธฟ686.1K
-45.54%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$16.0K โ‚น1.5M
$21.7K เธฟ699.3K
-26.46%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Thoothukudi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$28.31 โ‚น2,657
$69.2 เธฟ2,230
-59.09%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.15 โ‚น296
$13.97 เธฟ450
-77.45%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.19 โ‚น675
$17.95 เธฟ578
-59.94%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Thoothukudi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$20.60 โ‚น1,933
$42.31 เธฟ1,363
-51.31%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$2.11 โ‚น198
$6.66 เธฟ214
-68.32%
Cinema Ticket
$1.73 โ‚น162
$5.92 เธฟ191
-70.78%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Thoothukudi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$46.17 โ‚น4,333
$299 เธฟ9,640
-84.57%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,405 โ‚น225.7K
$14.8K เธฟ478.4K
-83.80%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Thoothukudi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$26.65 โ‚น2,501
$56.2 เธฟ1,810
-52.57%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$20.60 โ‚น1,934
$26.94 เธฟ868
-23.53%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$22.44 โ‚น2,106
$84.9 เธฟ2,735
-73.56%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$25.21 โ‚น2,366
$71.8 เธฟ2,314
-64.90%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Thoothukudi
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$106 โ‚น9,911
$435 เธฟ14.0K
-75.73%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$64.2 โ‚น6,026
$240 เธฟ7,727
-73.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$406 โ‚น38.1K
$798 เธฟ25.7K
-49.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$234 โ‚น21.9K
$498 เธฟ16.1K
-53.13%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$1,995 เธฟ64.3K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,532 เธฟ49.4K
-
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Thoothukudi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$289 โ‚น27.1K
$628 เธฟ20.2K
-54.00%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.5
5
70.00%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Thoothukudi: April 20, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $106 in Thoothukudi versus $435 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 117% 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 $9 in Thoothukudi versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $101 vs $244 โ€“ making Thoothukudi 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
Thoothukudi vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Thoothukudi or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 146% more than Thoothukudi, 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 Thoothukudi vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $515 per month in Thoothukudi and $1,267 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ€“ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Thoothukudi or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Thoothukudi, 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 Thoothukudi and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $46.17 per month in Thoothukudi and $299 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 Thoothukudi or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 141% 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 $1,200/month in Thoothukudi or Chiang Mai?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably โ€“ all-in costs are $344 in Thoothukudi and $845 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Thoothukudi or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Thoothukudi costs $344 versus $845 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Thoothukudi 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 โ€“ central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Thoothukudi or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Thoothukudi. 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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