๐A single person spends $1,105 per month in Tulkarm vs $845 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $1,583 per month in Tulkarm vs $1,323 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $2,061 per month in Tulkarm vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐Tulkarm costs about 31% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Both Tulkarm and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median โ Tulkarm18% lower, Chiang Mai37% lower.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Tulkarm
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.67โช29.01
$1.95เธฟ62.8
395.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$21.19โช63.6
$18.43เธฟ594
14.98%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.07โช24.20
$7.50เธฟ241
7.60%
Cappuccino
$2.81โช8.42
$1.93เธฟ62.3
45.60%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.80โช2.41
$0.78เธฟ25.08
2.56%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.56โช1.69
$0.32เธฟ10.42
75.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.79โช17.36
$2.15เธฟ69.2
169.30%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.53โช16.58
$3.71เธฟ120
49.06%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Tulkarm
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.19โช6.57
$1.71เธฟ55.2
28.07%
White Bread(500g)
$0.79โช2.36
$1.56เธฟ50.3
-49.36%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.63โช7.88
$1.18เธฟ38.06
122.88%
Eggs
$2.23โช6.68
$1.98เธฟ63.9
12.63%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.61โช22.84
$16.04เธฟ517
-52.56%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.81โช23.43
$3.17เธฟ102
146.37%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.58โช52.7
$10.94เธฟ353
60.69%
Apples(1kg)
$2.63โช7.88
$2.63เธฟ84.7
-
Banana(1kg)
$1.65โช4.94
$1.17เธฟ37.61
41.03%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.37โช4.12
$1.65เธฟ53.0
-16.97%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.50โช4.49
$1.54เธฟ49.51
-2.60%
Potato(1kg)
$1.08โช3.24
$1.38เธฟ44.34
-21.74%
Onion(1kg)
$1.38โช4.13
$1.17เธฟ37.54
17.95%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.45โช4.35
$0.66เธฟ21.25
119.70%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.86โช2.57
$0.51เธฟ16.55
68.63%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$8.12โช24.37
$4.52เธฟ146
79.65%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.51โช52.5
$18.32เธฟ590
-4.42%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.74โช8.22
$1.80เธฟ57.9
52.22%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.52โช7.55
$3.18เธฟ102
-20.75%
๐ Getting Around
Tulkarm
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.75โช8.24
$0.90เธฟ28.97
205.56%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$70.5โช211
$19.00เธฟ612
271.00%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.84โช8.51
$1.41เธฟ45.50
101.42%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.19โช6.56
$1.31เธฟ42.15
67.18%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$14.05โช42.16
$8.09เธฟ261
73.67%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.96โช5.87
$1.28เธฟ41.08
53.12%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.7Kโช119.1K
$21.3Kเธฟ686.1K
86.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$46.7Kโช140.0K
$21.7Kเธฟ699.3K
114.97%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tulkarm
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$87.0โช261
$69.2เธฟ2,230
25.68%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.56โช55.7
$13.97เธฟ450
32.86%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$46.59โช140
$17.95เธฟ578
159.55%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Tulkarm
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$37.08โช111
$42.31เธฟ1,363
-12.36%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.14โช72.4
$6.66เธฟ214
262.46%
Cinema Ticket
$8.56โช25.68
$5.92เธฟ191
44.59%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Tulkarm
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$118โช353
$299เธฟ9,640
-60.65%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,836โช5,507
$14.8Kเธฟ478.4K
-87.64%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Tulkarm
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.6โช185
$56.2เธฟ1,810
9.68%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.59โช116
$26.94เธฟ868
43.24%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$88.2โช265
$84.9เธฟ2,735
3.96%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$73.7โช221
$71.8เธฟ2,314
2.56%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Tulkarm
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$284โช851
$435เธฟ14.0K
-34.78%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$226โช679
$240เธฟ7,727
-5.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$345โช1,034
$798เธฟ25.7K
-56.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$256โช767
$498เธฟ16.1K
-48.72%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$1,995เธฟ64.3K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,532เธฟ49.4K
-
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Tulkarm
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$628เธฟ20.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.62
5
12.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tulkarm: April 19, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $284 in Tulkarm 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.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $21 in Tulkarm versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $276 vs $244 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
Tulkarm vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Tulkarm or Chiang Mai?
Tulkarm costs about 31% 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 Tulkarm vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,658 per month in Tulkarm 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, Tulkarm 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 Tulkarm and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $118 per month in Tulkarm 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 Tulkarm or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 13% more in Tulkarm, 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 Tulkarm or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $845, than in Tulkarm at $1,105. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Tulkarm it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Tulkarm or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $845 versus $1,105 in Tulkarm. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Tulkarm 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 Tulkarm or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Tulkarm makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.