ðA single person spends $1,284 per month in Tukums vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,860 per month in Tukums vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $2,435 per month in Tukums vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðTukums costs about 51% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðBoth Tukums and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median â Tukums4% lower, Chiang Mai36% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Tukums
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.81âŽ4.96
$1.96āļŋ63.6
196.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.48âŽ20.05
$18.81āļŋ611
24.83%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.42âŽ8.05
$7.92āļŋ258
18.94%
Cappuccino
$3.46âŽ2.96
$1.91āļŋ62.2
81.15%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.78âŽ1.52
$0.84āļŋ27.25
111.90%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.35âŽ1.16
$0.35āļŋ11.44
285.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.86âŽ5.01
$2.21āļŋ71.7
165.16%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.94âŽ5.07
$3.80āļŋ124
56.32%
ð Groceries & Markets
Tukums
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.13âŽ0.96
$1.64āļŋ53.2
-31.10%
White Bread(500g)
$1.68âŽ1.44
$1.62āļŋ52.8
3.70%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.92âŽ2.49
$1.18āļŋ38.40
147.46%
Eggs
$2.10âŽ1.80
$2.01āļŋ65.4
4.48%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.99âŽ7.68
$15.89āļŋ517
-43.42%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.05âŽ6.02
$3.01āļŋ98.0
134.22%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.73âŽ10.02
$10.77āļŋ350
8.91%
Apples(1kg)
$1.66âŽ1.42
$2.61āļŋ85.0
-36.40%
Banana(1kg)
$1.85âŽ1.58
$1.22āļŋ39.65
51.64%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.54âŽ2.16
$1.70āļŋ55.4
49.41%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.56âŽ3.04
$1.58āļŋ51.2
125.32%
Potato(1kg)
$0.66âŽ0.56
$1.32āļŋ42.89
-50.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.07âŽ0.91
$1.17āļŋ38.01
-8.55%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.73âŽ1.47
$0.67āļŋ21.85
158.21%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.60âŽ0.52
$0.56āļŋ18.21
7.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.71âŽ4.87
$4.53āļŋ147
26.05%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.05âŽ6.88
$18.20āļŋ592
-55.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.22âŽ1.04
$1.83āļŋ59.6
-33.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28âŽ1.95
$3.23āļŋ105
-29.41%
ð Getting Around
Tukums
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.94âŽ0.80
$0.89āļŋ28.83
5.62%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$35.77âŽ30.54
$19.38āļŋ630
84.57%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.94âŽ2.51
$1.35āļŋ43.95
117.78%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.86âŽ0.73
$1.35āļŋ43.79
-36.30%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$14.04âŽ11.99
$8.25āļŋ268
70.18%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.85âŽ1.58
$1.27āļŋ41.40
45.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.8KâŽ26.3K
$21.2Kāļŋ687.8K
45.78%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.8KâŽ27.2K
$22.5Kāļŋ731.0K
41.59%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tukums
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$296âŽ253
$70.2āļŋ2,281
321.53%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.12âŽ14.62
$13.77āļŋ448
24.33%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.64âŽ17.63
$17.60āļŋ572
17.27%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Tukums
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$51.7âŽ44.17
$41.57āļŋ1,352
24.42%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.60āļŋ215
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.73âŽ10.02
$5.78āļŋ188
102.94%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Tukums
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$538âŽ459
$306āļŋ9,953
75.61%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.7KâŽ13.4K
$14.8Kāļŋ482.0K
5.74%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Tukums
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$90.4âŽ77.2
$54.4āļŋ1,768
66.25%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.64âŽ39.83
$26.14āļŋ850
78.42%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$81.3âŽ69.4
$84.5āļŋ2,748
-3.89%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$137âŽ117
$69.4āļŋ2,257
97.02%
ð Accommodation & Living
Tukums
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$231âŽ197
$424āļŋ13.8K
-45.57%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$254âŽ217
$238āļŋ7,743
6.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$742âŽ634
$825āļŋ26.8K
-10.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$458âŽ391
$515āļŋ16.7K
-11.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,491âŽ1,273
$2,049āļŋ66.6K
-27.26%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,001âŽ854
$1,523āļŋ49.5K
-34.30%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Tukums
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$577âŽ493
$635āļŋ20.6K
-9.09%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.63
5
-7.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tukums: April 26, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $231 in Tukums 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 10% higher in Chiang Mai, which reinforces the cost advantage â you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $23.00 in Tukums versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story â $238 in Tukums vs $243 in Chiang Mai â so Tukums wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
Tukums vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Tukums or Chiang Mai?
Tukums costs about 51% 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 Tukums vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,926 per month in Tukums 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, Tukums 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 Tukums and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $538 per month in Tukums 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 Tukums or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 2% cheaper in Tukums â one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Tukums or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Tukums at $1,284. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tukums it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Tukums or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $1,284 in Tukums. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Tukums 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 Tukums or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Tukums makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.