ðA single person spends $1,646 per month in Torrox vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $2,368 per month in Torrox vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $3,091 per month in Torrox vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðTorrox costs about 93% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðTorrox sits 23% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 36% below â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Torrox
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.04âŽ12.84
$1.96āļŋ63.6
667.35%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.35âŽ31.89
$18.81āļŋ611
98.56%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.56âŽ9.02
$7.92āļŋ258
33.33%
Cappuccino
$2.17âŽ1.85
$1.91āļŋ62.2
13.61%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.41âŽ2.05
$0.84āļŋ27.25
186.90%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.65âŽ1.41
$0.35āļŋ11.44
371.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.51âŽ3.00
$2.21āļŋ71.7
58.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44âŽ2.94
$3.80āļŋ124
-9.47%
ð Groceries & Markets
Torrox
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.21âŽ1.03
$1.64āļŋ53.2
-26.22%
White Bread(500g)
$1.38âŽ1.18
$1.62āļŋ52.8
-14.81%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.68âŽ1.43
$1.18āļŋ38.40
42.37%
Eggs
$2.96âŽ2.52
$2.01āļŋ65.4
47.26%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.55âŽ11.57
$15.89āļŋ517
-14.73%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.41âŽ7.18
$3.01āļŋ98.0
179.40%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.08âŽ12.88
$10.77āļŋ350
40.02%
Apples(1kg)
$2.52âŽ2.15
$2.61āļŋ85.0
-3.45%
Banana(1kg)
$1.99âŽ1.70
$1.22āļŋ39.65
63.11%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.96âŽ1.67
$1.70āļŋ55.4
15.29%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.60âŽ2.22
$1.58āļŋ51.2
64.56%
Potato(1kg)
$1.78âŽ1.52
$1.32āļŋ42.89
34.85%
Onion(1kg)
$1.99âŽ1.70
$1.17āļŋ38.01
70.09%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.39âŽ1.19
$0.67āļŋ21.85
107.46%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.71âŽ0.60
$0.56āļŋ18.21
26.79%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.13âŽ5.24
$4.53āļŋ147
35.32%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.41âŽ5.48
$18.20āļŋ592
-64.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.25âŽ1.07
$1.83āļŋ59.6
-31.69%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05âŽ1.75
$3.23āļŋ105
-36.53%
ð Getting Around
Torrox
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.13âŽ0.97
$0.89āļŋ28.83
26.97%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$34.11âŽ29.13
$19.38āļŋ630
76.01%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.01âŽ3.42
$1.35āļŋ43.95
197.04%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.25âŽ1.07
$1.35āļŋ43.79
-7.41%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$24.30âŽ20.75
$8.25āļŋ268
194.55%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.82âŽ1.56
$1.27āļŋ41.40
43.31%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.2KâŽ32.6K
$21.2Kāļŋ687.8K
80.69%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.7KâŽ25.3K
$22.5Kāļŋ731.0K
31.96%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Torrox
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$134âŽ114
$70.2āļŋ2,281
90.76%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.79âŽ17.76
$13.77āļŋ448
50.98%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.40âŽ26.81
$17.60āļŋ572
78.41%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Torrox
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.38âŽ40.46
$41.57āļŋ1,352
13.98%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.21âŽ12.99
$6.60āļŋ215
130.45%
Cinema Ticket
$9.04âŽ7.72
$5.78āļŋ188
56.40%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Torrox
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$406âŽ346
$306āļŋ9,953
32.48%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,558âŽ6,455
$14.8Kāļŋ482.0K
-49.02%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Torrox
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$85.9âŽ73.3
$54.4āļŋ1,768
57.94%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.82âŽ31.44
$26.14āļŋ850
40.86%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$90.5âŽ77.3
$84.5āļŋ2,748
7.05%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$110âŽ93.6
$69.4āļŋ2,257
57.91%
ð Accommodation & Living
Torrox
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$852âŽ727
$424āļŋ13.8K
101.07%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$686âŽ586
$238āļŋ7,743
187.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,348âŽ1,151
$825āļŋ26.8K
63.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,015âŽ867
$515āļŋ16.7K
97.03%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,677âŽ3,140
$2,049āļŋ66.6K
79.42%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,121âŽ1,812
$1,523āļŋ49.5K
39.31%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Torrox
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,470âŽ1,256
$635āļŋ20.6K
131.50%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.5
5
-30.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Torrox: April 28, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $852 in Torrox 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 132% higher in Torrox, 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 $37.00 in Torrox versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $264 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
Torrox vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Torrox or Chiang Mai?
Torrox costs about 93% 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 Torrox vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,469 per month in Torrox 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, Torrox 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 Torrox and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $406 per month in Torrox 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 Torrox or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 9% more in Torrox, 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 Torrox or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Torrox at $1,646. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Torrox it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Torrox or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $1,646 in Torrox. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Torrox 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 Torrox or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Torrox makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.