ðA single person spends $380 per month in Tinsukia vs $845 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $613 per month in Tinsukia vs $1,323 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $846 per month in Tinsukia vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðTinsukia is about 55% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Tinsukia and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median â Tinsukia72% lower, Chiang Mai37% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Tinsukia
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.34âđ220
$1.95āļŋ62.8
20.00%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$15.22âđ1,429
$18.43āļŋ594
-17.42%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.79âđ356
$7.50āļŋ241
-49.47%
Cappuccino
$1.52âđ142
$1.93āļŋ62.3
-21.24%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.58âđ54.6
$0.78āļŋ25.08
-25.64%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.19âđ17.74
$0.32āļŋ10.42
-40.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.75âđ165
$2.15āļŋ69.2
-18.60%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.09âđ290
$3.71āļŋ120
-16.71%
ð Groceries & Markets
Tinsukia
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.71âđ66.3
$1.71āļŋ55.2
-58.48%
White Bread(500g)
$0.49âđ45.60
$1.56āļŋ50.3
-68.59%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.67âđ62.6
$1.18āļŋ38.06
-43.22%
Eggs
$0.89âđ83.2
$1.98āļŋ63.9
-55.05%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.11âđ480
$16.04āļŋ517
-68.14%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.96âđ278
$3.17āļŋ102
-6.62%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$10.94āļŋ353
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.03âđ191
$2.63āļŋ84.7
-22.81%
Banana(1kg)
$0.72âđ67.5
$1.17āļŋ37.61
-38.46%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.92âđ86.1
$1.65āļŋ53.0
-44.24%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.50âđ46.78
$1.54āļŋ49.51
-67.53%
Potato(1kg)
$0.39âđ36.28
$1.38āļŋ44.34
-71.74%
Onion(1kg)
$0.45âđ42.30
$1.17āļŋ37.54
-61.54%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.45âđ42.53
$0.66āļŋ21.25
-31.82%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.34âđ32.12
$0.51āļŋ16.55
-33.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.91âđ367
$4.52āļŋ146
-13.50%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.47âđ607
$18.32āļŋ590
-64.68%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71âđ161
$1.80āļŋ57.9
-5.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88âđ270
$3.18āļŋ102
-9.43%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
$5.23âđ491
-
-
ð Getting Around
Tinsukia
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30âđ28.56
$0.90āļŋ28.97
-66.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.52âđ800
$19.00āļŋ612
-55.16%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.80âđ75.1
$1.41āļŋ45.50
-43.26%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.31āļŋ42.15
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.42âđ134
$8.09āļŋ261
-82.45%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.17âđ110
$1.28āļŋ41.08
-8.59%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$13.9Kâđ1.3M
$21.3Kāļŋ686.1K
-34.59%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.0Kâđ2.1M
$21.7Kāļŋ699.3K
1.20%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tinsukia
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$38.51âđ3,614
$69.2āļŋ2,230
-44.35%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.50âđ329
$13.97āļŋ450
-74.95%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.32âđ687
$17.95āļŋ578
-59.22%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Tinsukia
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$16.22âđ1,523
$42.31āļŋ1,363
-61.66%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.87âđ645
$6.66āļŋ214
3.15%
Cinema Ticket
$2.83âđ266
$5.92āļŋ191
-52.20%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Tinsukia
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$52.0âđ4,878
$299āļŋ9,640
-82.63%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,523âđ142.9K
$14.8Kāļŋ478.4K
-89.75%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Tinsukia
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$24.67âđ2,316
$56.2āļŋ1,810
-56.10%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.91âđ2,338
$26.94āļŋ868
-7.54%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$42.54âđ3,993
$84.9āļŋ2,735
-49.88%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$32.29âđ3,031
$71.8āļŋ2,314
-55.05%
ð Accommodation & Living
Tinsukia
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$126âđ11.9K
$435āļŋ14.0K
-70.97%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$77.0âđ7,223
$240āļŋ7,727
-67.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$278âđ26.1K
$798āļŋ25.7K
-65.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$180âđ16.9K
$498āļŋ16.1K
-63.83%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$964âđ90.5K
$1,995āļŋ64.3K
-51.68%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$515âđ48.4K
$1,532āļŋ49.4K
-66.36%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Tinsukia
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$335âđ31.4K
$628āļŋ20.2K
-46.68%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.67
5
73.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tinsukia: April 20, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $126 in Tinsukia 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.
ð°Salaries run about 88% higher in Chiang Mai, 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 $15 in Tinsukia versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $104 vs $244 â making Tinsukia 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
Tinsukia vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Tinsukia or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 122% more than Tinsukia, 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 Tinsukia vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $570 per month in Tinsukia and $1,267 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Tinsukia or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Tinsukia, 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 Tinsukia and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $52.0 per month in Tinsukia 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 Tinsukia or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 134% 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 Tinsukia or Chiang Mai?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $380 in Tinsukia and $845 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Tinsukia or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Tinsukia costs $380 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 Tinsukia 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 Tinsukia or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Tinsukia. 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.