๐A single person spends $344 per month in Thoothukudi vs $845 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $583 per month in Thoothukudi vs $1,323 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $822 per month in Thoothukudi vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐Thoothukudi is about 59% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
๐Both Thoothukudi and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median โ Thoothukudi74% lower, Chiang Mai37% lower.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Thoothukudi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$0.94โน88.5
$1.95เธฟ62.8
-51.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.05โน850
$18.43เธฟ594
-50.90%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.63โน434
$7.50เธฟ241
-38.27%
Cappuccino
$1.41โน132
$1.93เธฟ62.3
-26.94%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43โน40.53
$0.78เธฟ25.08
-44.87%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.18โน16.54
$0.32เธฟ10.42
-43.75%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.70โน160
$2.15เธฟ69.2
-20.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88โน270
$3.71เธฟ120
-22.37%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Thoothukudi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.70โน65.7
$1.71เธฟ55.2
-59.06%
White Bread(500g)
$0.46โน43.27
$1.56เธฟ50.3
-70.51%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.65โน60.6
$1.18เธฟ38.06
-44.92%
Eggs
$0.76โน71.4
$1.98เธฟ63.9
-61.62%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.55โน333
$16.04เธฟ517
-77.87%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.06โน287
$3.17เธฟ102
-3.47%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$10.94เธฟ353
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.24โน210
$2.63เธฟ84.7
-14.83%
Banana(1kg)
$0.77โน71.9
$1.17เธฟ37.61
-34.19%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.08โน102
$1.65เธฟ53.0
-34.55%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.54โน50.7
$1.54เธฟ49.51
-64.94%
Potato(1kg)
$0.49โน45.91
$1.38เธฟ44.34
-64.49%
Onion(1kg)
$0.59โน55.6
$1.17เธฟ37.54
-49.57%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.71โน67.0
$0.66เธฟ21.25
7.58%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.35โน33.15
$0.51เธฟ16.55
-31.37%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.61โน433
$4.52เธฟ146
1.99%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.86โน737
$18.32เธฟ590
-57.10%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.28โน120
$1.80เธฟ57.9
-28.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66โน156
$3.18เธฟ102
-47.80%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
$3.30โน310
-
-
๐ Getting Around
Thoothukudi
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.56โน52.6
$0.90เธฟ28.97
-37.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$17.64โน1,655
$19.00เธฟ612
-7.16%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.54โน50.6
$1.41เธฟ45.50
-61.70%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.31เธฟ42.15
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.18โน111
$8.09เธฟ261
-85.41%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.18โน110
$1.28เธฟ41.08
-7.81%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$11.6Kโน1.1M
$21.3Kเธฟ686.1K
-45.54%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$16.0Kโน1.5M
$21.7Kเธฟ699.3K
-26.46%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Thoothukudi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$28.31โน2,657
$69.2เธฟ2,230
-59.09%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.15โน296
$13.97เธฟ450
-77.45%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.19โน675
$17.95เธฟ578
-59.94%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Thoothukudi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$20.60โน1,933
$42.31เธฟ1,363
-51.31%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$2.11โน198
$6.66เธฟ214
-68.32%
Cinema Ticket
$1.73โน162
$5.92เธฟ191
-70.78%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Thoothukudi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$46.17โน4,333
$299เธฟ9,640
-84.57%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,405โน225.7K
$14.8Kเธฟ478.4K
-83.80%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Thoothukudi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$26.65โน2,501
$56.2เธฟ1,810
-52.57%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$20.60โน1,934
$26.94เธฟ868
-23.53%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$22.44โน2,106
$84.9เธฟ2,735
-73.56%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$25.21โน2,366
$71.8เธฟ2,314
-64.90%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Thoothukudi
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$106โน9,911
$435เธฟ14.0K
-75.73%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$64.2โน6,026
$240เธฟ7,727
-73.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$406โน38.1K
$798เธฟ25.7K
-49.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$234โน21.9K
$498เธฟ16.1K
-53.13%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$1,995เธฟ64.3K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,532เธฟ49.4K
-
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Thoothukudi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$289โน27.1K
$628เธฟ20.2K
-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
๐ 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.
๐ฐSalaries 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.
๐A 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.
Thoothukudi vs other spots: cost of living compared