ðA single person spends $353 per month in Valsad vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $557 per month in Valsad vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $761 per month in Valsad vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðValsad is about 59% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Valsad and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median â Valsad74% lower, Chiang Mai36% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Valsad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.76âđ167
$1.96āļŋ64.0
-10.20%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$6.44âđ612
$18.81āļŋ615
-65.76%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.91âđ371
$7.92āļŋ259
-50.63%
Cappuccino
$0.89âđ84.8
$1.91āļŋ62.6
-53.40%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29âđ27.97
$0.84āļŋ27.41
-65.48%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.18âđ17.45
$0.35āļŋ11.51
-48.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.27âđ121
$2.21āļŋ72.1
-42.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.10âđ389
$3.80āļŋ124
7.89%
ð Groceries & Markets
Valsad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.73âđ69.3
$1.64āļŋ53.5
-55.49%
White Bread(500g)
$0.49âđ46.42
$1.62āļŋ53.1
-69.75%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.49âđ46.24
$1.18āļŋ38.62
-58.47%
Eggs
$0.75âđ71.6
$2.01āļŋ65.8
-62.69%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.85âđ555
$15.89āļŋ520
-63.18%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.39âđ322
$3.01āļŋ98.5
12.62%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$10.77āļŋ352
-
Apples(1kg)
$1.56âđ148
$2.61āļŋ85.5
-40.23%
Banana(1kg)
$0.57âđ53.7
$1.22āļŋ39.88
-53.28%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.19âđ113
$1.70āļŋ55.7
-30.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.55âđ52.7
$1.58āļŋ51.5
-65.19%
Potato(1kg)
$0.43âđ40.71
$1.32āļŋ43.14
-67.42%
Onion(1kg)
$0.40âđ37.66
$1.17āļŋ38.23
-65.81%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.55âđ52.4
$0.67āļŋ21.98
-17.91%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.35âđ33.50
$0.56āļŋ18.32
-37.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.07âđ387
$4.53āļŋ148
-10.15%
Wine(Bottle)
$3.11âđ295
$18.20āļŋ595
-82.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.54âđ146
$1.83āļŋ60.0
-15.85%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.96âđ281
$3.23āļŋ106
-8.36%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
$7.03âđ668
-
-
ð Getting Around
Valsad
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.28âđ26.24
$0.89āļŋ29.00
-68.54%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.85âđ841
$19.38āļŋ634
-54.33%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.33âđ31.71
$1.35āļŋ44.20
-75.56%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.28âđ26.38
$1.35āļŋ44.05
-79.26%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$0.60âđ57.4
$8.25āļŋ270
-92.73%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.17âđ111
$1.27āļŋ41.64
-7.87%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$14.2Kâđ1.3M
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
-32.79%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.0Kâđ1.9M
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
-11.03%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Valsad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$49.54âđ4,703
$70.2āļŋ2,294
-29.38%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.38âđ226
$13.77āļŋ450
-82.72%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$2.84âđ270
$17.60āļŋ575
-83.86%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Valsad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$15.71âđ1,492
$41.57āļŋ1,360
-62.21%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.89âđ654
$6.60āļŋ216
4.39%
Cinema Ticket
$2.37âđ225
$5.78āļŋ189
-59.00%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Valsad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$34.77âđ3,301
$306āļŋ10.0K
-88.64%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$751âđ71.3K
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
-94.93%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Valsad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$24.53âđ2,329
$54.4āļŋ1,778
-54.88%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$17.62âđ1,672
$26.14āļŋ855
-32.59%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$29.24âđ2,776
$84.5āļŋ2,764
-65.41%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$19.87âđ1,886
$69.4āļŋ2,270
-71.38%
ð Accommodation & Living
Valsad
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$126âđ12.0K
$424āļŋ13.9K
-70.29%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$75.6âđ7,177
$238āļŋ7,788
-68.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$275âđ26.1K
$825āļŋ27.0K
-66.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$179âđ17.0K
$515āļŋ16.8K
-65.28%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$428âđ40.7K
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
-79.11%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
-
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Valsad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$322âđ30.6K
$635āļŋ20.8K
-49.29%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.22
5
84.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Valsad: April 27, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $126 in Valsad 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 97% higher in Chiang Mai, 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 $6.00 in Valsad versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $99.0 vs $243 â making Valsad 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
Valsad vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Valsad or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 141% more than Valsad, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 Valsad vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $530 per month in Valsad 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, Valsad or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Valsad, 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 Valsad and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $34.77 per month in Valsad 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 Valsad or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 146% more in Chiang Mai, 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 $1,200/month in Valsad or Chiang Mai?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $353 in Valsad and $852 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Valsad or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Valsad costs $353 versus $852 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Valsad 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 Valsad or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Valsad. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chiang Mai makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.