๐A single person spends $1,826 per month in Tortona vs $872 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $2,810 per month in Tortona vs $1,337 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $3,795 per month in Tortona vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐Tortona costs about 109% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Tortona sits 36% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 35% below โ they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Tortona
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$23.56โฌ20.05
$2.01เธฟ64.5
1072.14%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$93.5โฌ79.5
$18.23เธฟ584
412.73%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.41โฌ9.71
$7.65เธฟ245
49.15%
Cappuccino
$2.03โฌ1.73
$1.92เธฟ61.5
5.73%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87โฌ2.44
$0.84เธฟ26.97
241.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.35โฌ1.15
$0.36เธฟ11.42
275.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.66โฌ4.82
$2.19เธฟ70.2
158.45%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.53โฌ4.71
$3.79เธฟ121
45.91%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Tortona
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.91โฌ1.63
$1.64เธฟ52.5
16.46%
White Bread(500g)
$2.54โฌ2.16
$1.62เธฟ52.0
56.79%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.43โฌ2.92
$1.15เธฟ36.98
198.26%
Eggs
$3.06โฌ2.60
$1.94เธฟ62.2
57.73%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.51โฌ13.20
$15.94เธฟ511
-2.70%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$13.46โฌ11.46
$3.10เธฟ99.5
334.19%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.91โฌ11.83
$11.07เธฟ355
25.65%
Apples(1kg)
$2.87โฌ2.44
$2.71เธฟ86.8
5.90%
Banana(1kg)
$1.65โฌ1.40
$1.18เธฟ37.80
39.83%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.25โฌ2.77
$1.71เธฟ54.7
90.06%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.83โฌ2.41
$1.61เธฟ51.5
75.78%
Potato(1kg)
$1.71โฌ1.45
$1.39เธฟ44.66
23.02%
Onion(1kg)
$1.79โฌ1.52
$1.15เธฟ36.81
55.65%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.29โฌ1.10
$0.71เธฟ22.83
81.69%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55โฌ0.47
$0.55เธฟ17.65
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.99โฌ5.95
$4.57เธฟ146
52.95%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.78โฌ4.92
$18.87เธฟ605
-69.37%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.13โฌ1.81
$1.82เธฟ58.4
17.03%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75โฌ2.34
$3.21เธฟ103
-14.33%
๐ Getting Around
Tortona
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.73โฌ1.47
$0.88เธฟ28.24
96.59%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$43.93โฌ37.38
$18.89เธฟ606
132.56%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$11.47โฌ9.76
$1.41เธฟ45.30
713.48%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.10โฌ1.78
$1.30เธฟ41.71
61.54%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$58.1โฌ49.47
$8.20เธฟ263
608.90%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.01โฌ1.71
$1.23เธฟ39.29
63.41%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.2Kโฌ24.0K
$21.2Kเธฟ678.9K
32.97%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.2Kโฌ27.4K
$22.3Kเธฟ715.3K
44.36%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tortona
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$242โฌ206
$69.9เธฟ2,240
246.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$15.57โฌ13.25
$14.07เธฟ451
10.66%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.71โฌ25.28
$17.70เธฟ567
67.85%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Tortona
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$55.3โฌ47.05
$41.41เธฟ1,328
33.52%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.88โฌ19.47
$6.69เธฟ215
242.00%
Cinema Ticket
$12.29โฌ10.46
$5.74เธฟ184
114.11%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Tortona
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$546โฌ464
$299เธฟ9,593
82.41%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,161โฌ6,945
$15.0Kเธฟ481.2K
-45.62%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Tortona
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$91.8โฌ78.1
$54.8เธฟ1,758
67.44%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.06โฌ32.39
$26.35เธฟ845
44.44%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$106โฌ90.5
$84.7เธฟ2,714
25.68%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$139โฌ118
$69.7เธฟ2,236
98.81%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Tortona
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$741โฌ630
$427เธฟ13.7K
73.48%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$581โฌ494
$241เธฟ7,718
141.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,228โฌ1,045
$811เธฟ26.0K
51.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$942โฌ802
$498เธฟ16.0K
89.09%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,043โฌ2,590
$2,022เธฟ64.8K
50.48%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,227โฌ1,895
$1,524เธฟ48.9K
46.13%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Tortona
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$639เธฟ20.5K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.68
5
-6.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tortona: April 12, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $741 in Tortona versus $427 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.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $93 in Tortona versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $326 vs $246 โ 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
Tortona vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Tortona or Chiang Mai?
Tortona costs about 109% 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 Tortona vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,739 per month in Tortona and $1,308 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Tortona 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 Tortona and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $546 per month in Tortona 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 Tortona or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 32% more in Tortona, 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 Tortona or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $872, than in Tortona at $1,826. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tortona it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Tortona or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $872 versus $1,826 in Tortona. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Tortona 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 Tortona or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Tortona makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.