Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Ulu Tiram and Chiang Mai

For one person, living costs are similar in Ulu Tiram and in Chiang Mai: $938 and $936 a month, rent and utilities included.

Ulu Tiram, Malaysia
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Ulu Tiram
🇲🇾 Malaysia
$938
/mo nomad
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$936
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Ulu Tiram and in Chiang Mai

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Ulu Tiram and in Chiang Mai actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $938 per month in Ulu Tiram vs $936 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Ulu Tiram $938
  • Chiang Mai $936

A couple spends around $1,412 per month in Ulu Tiram vs $1,457 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Ulu Tiram $1,412
  • Chiang Mai $1,457

A family of three spends $1,885 per month in Ulu Tiram vs $1,979 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Ulu Tiram $1,885
  • Chiang Mai $1,979

Ulu Tiram and Chiang Mai have comparable living costs – the differences are in the details.

Both Ulu Tiram and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Ulu Tiram 31% lower, Chiang Mai 31% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ulu Tiram
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.58 MYR 14.59
$2.24 ฿75.6
59.82%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.21 MYR 78.2
$19.00 ฿641
1.11%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.97 MYR 20.24
$5.55 ฿187
-10.45%
Cappuccino
$2.92 MYR 11.90
$1.67 ฿56.5
74.85%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.85 MYR 3.44
$0.64 ฿21.53
32.81%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.41 MYR 1.67
$0.31 ฿10.30
32.26%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.50 MYR 18.30
$2.36 ฿79.5
90.68%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.40 MYR 26.03
$3.66 ฿124
74.86%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ulu Tiram
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.73 MYR 7.02
$1.95 ฿65.7
-11.28%
White Bread (500g)
$1.04 MYR 4.23
$1.44 ฿48.45
-27.78%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.48 MYR 6.03
$1.33 ฿45.01
11.28%
Eggs
$1.80 MYR 7.33
$2.28 ฿77.0
-21.05%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.62 MYR 39.17
$16.45 ฿555
-41.52%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.23 MYR 17.21
$2.78 ฿93.8
52.16%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.57 MYR 38.95
$9.31 ฿314
2.79%
Apples (1kg)
$3.30 MYR 13.44
$2.35 ฿79.4
40.43%
Banana (1kg)
$1.69 MYR 6.90
$0.97 ฿32.78
74.23%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.76 MYR 11.25
$1.60 ฿53.9
72.50%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.64 MYR 6.68
$1.50 ฿50.6
9.33%
Potato (1kg)
$1.45 MYR 5.92
$1.28 ฿43.10
13.28%
Onion (1kg)
$1.67 MYR 6.78
$1.10 ฿37.17
51.82%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.39 MYR 5.65
$0.71 ฿23.81
95.77%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56 MYR 2.29
$0.49 ฿16.36
14.29%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.30 MYR 17.48
$4.14 ฿140
3.86%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.28 MYR 70.3
$17.52 ฿591
-1.37%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.96 MYR 12.04
$1.61 ฿54.5
83.85%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.11 MYR 12.65
$2.78 ฿93.9
11.87%
🚌 Getting Around
Ulu Tiram
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.80 MYR 3.25
$0.87 ฿29.29
-8.05%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$13.32 MYR 54.2
$54.1 ฿1,825
-75.37%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.94 MYR 3.84
$1.16 ฿39.03
-18.97%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.38 MYR 1.55
$0.53 ฿17.79
-28.30%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.77 MYR 35.71
$2.42 ฿81.7
262.40%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.86 MYR 3.51
$1.45 ฿48.87
-40.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$43.8K MYR 178.3K
$21.1K ฿710.3K
108.05%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.5K MYR 144.5K
$26.9K ฿908.7K
31.78%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ulu Tiram
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$53.5 MYR 218
$62.2 ฿2,097
-13.98%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.46 MYR 34.42
$12.17 ฿410
-30.48%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.46 MYR 116
$20.12 ฿679
41.45%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ulu Tiram
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.15 MYR 151
$37.31 ฿1,259
-0.43%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.93 MYR 28.19
$3.77 ฿127
83.82%
Cinema Ticket
$4.80 MYR 19.53
$6.49 ฿219
-26.04%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ulu Tiram
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$241 MYR 980
$736 ฿24.8K
-67.30%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,550 MYR 18.5K
$14.8K ฿498.0K
-69.18%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ulu Tiram
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.0 MYR 224
$53.4 ฿1,800
3.09%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$16.99 MYR 69.2
$24.64 ฿831
-31.05%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$78.7 MYR 320
$91.5 ฿3,086
-13.94%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$87.0 MYR 354
$71.9 ฿2,426
20.98%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ulu Tiram
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$453 MYR 1,844
$482 ฿16.3K
-6.07%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$315 MYR 1,282
$309 ฿10.4K
1.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$709 MYR 2,887
$1,006 ฿33.9K
-29.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$547 MYR 2,227
$633 ฿21.4K
-13.63%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,005 MYR 8,161
$2,363 ฿79.7K
-15.16%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,196 MYR 4,867
$1,589 ฿53.6K
-24.76%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ulu Tiram
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$869 MYR 3,535
$590 ฿19.9K
47.28%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.06
5.57
-27.11%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Ulu Tiram: October 25, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Ulu Tiram
$315
Chiang Mai
$309 1.9% $6
Groceries & Markets
Ulu Tiram
$241
Chiang Mai
$234 2.7% $6.6
Eating Out
Ulu Tiram
$119
Chiang Mai
$78 34.8% $41
Clothing & Footwear
Ulu Tiram
$107
Chiang Mai
$109 1.5% $1.6
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ulu Tiram
$90
Chiang Mai
$94 4.5% $4.1
Sport & Entertainment
Ulu Tiram
$47
Chiang Mai
$50 7.6% $3.5
Getting Around
Ulu Tiram
$19
Chiang Mai
$61 217% $42

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $453 in Ulu Tiram versus $482 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.

Salaries run about 47% higher in Ulu Tiram. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $19 in Ulu Tiram versus $19 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $241 in Ulu Tiram vs $234 in Chiang Mai – so Chiang Mai wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇲🇾 Ulu Tiram
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🕒 Local time
02:59 2:59 AM
01:59 1:59 AM
1 h behind Ulu Tiram
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
75,350
127,240
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

THB, USD, EUR to MYR – Malaysian Ringgit Converter

Malaysian Ringgit exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 4.07 MYR (1 MYR = 0.246 USD). 1 EUR = 4.54 MYR (1 MYR = 0.22 EUR).

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 33.73 THB (100 THB = 2.96 USD). 1 EUR = 37.64 THB (100 THB = 2.66 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Ulu Tiram Chiang Mai 1,980 km ≈ 3 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Ulu Tiram
  • Chiang Mai

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Ulu Tiram vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Ulu Tiram and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,408 per month in Ulu Tiram and $1,403 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Ulu Tiram compared to Chiang Mai?
A central 1-bedroom goes for about $453 in Ulu Tiram and $482 in Chiang Mai. The gap holds across neighborhoods – outer areas show a similar spread, just at lower price points.
Are groceries more expensive in Ulu Tiram or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 3% more in Ulu Tiram, though the gap depends on what you buy.
How expensive is transport in Ulu Tiram compared to Chiang Mai?
Public transport costs about 75% less in Ulu Tiram. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Can you live on $800/month in Ulu Tiram or in Chiang Mai?
$800 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $938 in Ulu Tiram and $936 in Chiang Mai. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Ulu Tiram or Chiang Mai?
It depends on your priorities. Chiang Mai has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $936 in Chiang Mai to $938 in Ulu Tiram. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How safe is Ulu Tiram compared to Chiang Mai?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Should I move to Ulu Tiram or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Ulu Tiram makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

Ulu Tiram vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?