ðA single person spends $1,557 per month in Vigo vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $2,270 per month in Vigo vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $2,984 per month in Vigo vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðVigo costs about 83% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðVigo sits 16% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 36% below â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Vigo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.01âŽ11.99
$1.96āļŋ64.0
614.80%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$59.0âŽ50.5
$18.81āļŋ615
213.45%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.28âŽ8.80
$7.92āļŋ259
29.80%
Cappuccino
$2.07âŽ1.77
$1.91āļŋ62.6
8.38%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28âŽ1.95
$0.84āļŋ27.41
171.43%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58âŽ1.35
$0.35āļŋ11.51
351.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.84âŽ2.43
$2.21āļŋ72.1
28.51%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.40âŽ2.91
$3.80āļŋ124
-10.53%
ð Groceries & Markets
Vigo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.19âŽ1.02
$1.64āļŋ53.5
-27.44%
White Bread(500g)
$1.27âŽ1.08
$1.62āļŋ53.1
-21.60%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.74âŽ1.49
$1.18āļŋ38.62
47.46%
Eggs
$2.73âŽ2.34
$2.01āļŋ65.8
35.82%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.85âŽ11.00
$15.89āļŋ520
-19.13%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.68âŽ6.58
$3.01āļŋ98.5
155.15%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.48âŽ13.25
$10.77āļŋ352
43.73%
Apples(1kg)
$2.50âŽ2.14
$2.61āļŋ85.5
-4.21%
Banana(1kg)
$2.61âŽ2.24
$1.22āļŋ39.88
113.93%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.04âŽ1.74
$1.70āļŋ55.7
20.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.59âŽ2.22
$1.58āļŋ51.5
63.92%
Potato(1kg)
$1.56âŽ1.33
$1.32āļŋ43.14
18.18%
Onion(1kg)
$1.71âŽ1.46
$1.17āļŋ38.23
46.15%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.30âŽ1.11
$0.67āļŋ21.98
94.03%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.86âŽ0.73
$0.56āļŋ18.32
53.57%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.65âŽ5.69
$4.53āļŋ148
46.80%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.99âŽ5.98
$18.20āļŋ595
-61.59%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.02âŽ1.73
$1.83āļŋ60.0
10.38%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.09âŽ2.65
$3.23āļŋ106
-4.33%
ð Getting Around
Vigo
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.72âŽ1.47
$0.89āļŋ29.00
93.26%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.82âŽ40.08
$19.38āļŋ634
141.59%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.43âŽ3.79
$1.35āļŋ44.20
228.15%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.12âŽ0.96
$1.35āļŋ44.05
-17.04%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$20.13âŽ17.23
$8.25āļŋ270
144.00%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.79âŽ1.53
$1.27āļŋ41.64
40.94%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.3KâŽ33.7K
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
85.89%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.8KâŽ25.5K
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
32.67%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Vigo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$173âŽ148
$70.2āļŋ2,294
146.22%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.11âŽ19.78
$13.77āļŋ450
67.83%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$35.98âŽ30.80
$17.60āļŋ575
104.43%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Vigo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.33âŽ40.51
$41.57āļŋ1,360
13.86%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$37.95âŽ32.49
$6.60āļŋ216
475.00%
Cinema Ticket
$11.09âŽ9.50
$5.78āļŋ189
91.87%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Vigo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$538âŽ461
$306āļŋ10.0K
75.84%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,554âŽ7,322
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
-42.30%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Vigo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.4âŽ50.8
$54.4āļŋ1,778
9.18%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.76âŽ31.47
$26.14āļŋ855
40.63%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.7âŽ76.8
$84.5āļŋ2,764
6.07%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$105âŽ90.0
$69.4āļŋ2,270
51.45%
ð Accommodation & Living
Vigo
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$776âŽ664
$424āļŋ13.9K
83.06%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$600âŽ514
$238āļŋ7,788
152.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,214âŽ1,040
$825āļŋ27.0K
47.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$862âŽ738
$515āļŋ16.8K
67.31%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,086âŽ2,641
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
50.57%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,907âŽ1,632
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
25.23%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Vigo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,959âŽ1,677
$635āļŋ20.8K
208.42%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.98
5
-20.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Vigo: April 25, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $776 in Vigo 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 208% higher in Vigo, 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 $59.0 in Vigo versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $269 vs $243 â 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
Vigo vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Vigo or Chiang Mai?
Vigo costs about 83% 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 Vigo vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,335 per month in Vigo 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, Vigo 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 Vigo and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $538 per month in Vigo 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 Vigo or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 11% more in Vigo, 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 Vigo or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Vigo at $1,557. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Vigo it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Vigo or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $1,557 in Vigo. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Vigo 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 Vigo or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Vigo makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.