Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Vina del Mar and Chiang Mai

For one person, living is cheaper in Chiang Mai: $938 a month against $1,062 in Vina del Mar, rent and utilities included – about $1,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Vina del Mar
🇨🇱 Chile
$1,062
/mo nomad
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$938
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Vina del Mar 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 Vina del Mar and in Chiang Mai actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,062 per month in Vina del Mar vs $938 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Vina del Mar $1,062
  • Chiang Mai $938

A couple spends around $1,710 per month in Vina del Mar vs $1,426 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Vina del Mar $1,710
  • Chiang Mai $1,426

A family of three spends $2,357 per month in Vina del Mar vs $1,914 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Vina del Mar $2,357
  • Chiang Mai $1,914

Vina del Mar costs about 13% more than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Vina del Mar and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Vina del Mar 21% lower, Chiang Mai 30% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Vina del Mar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.36 CLP 8,230
$2.26 ฿75.4
269.91%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$58.4 CLP 57.5K
$19.18 ฿641
204.69%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.82 CLP 7,699
$5.59 ฿187
39.89%
Cappuccino
$3.50 CLP 3,442
$1.72 ฿57.6
103.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.42 CLP 1,394
$0.64 ฿21.54
121.87%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09 CLP 1,073
$0.33 ฿11.18
230.30%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.56 CLP 3,508
$2.36 ฿78.7
50.85%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.41 CLP 3,356
$3.90 ฿130
-12.56%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Vina del Mar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.31 CLP 1,292
$2.05 ฿68.6
-36.10%
White Bread (500g)
$1.18 CLP 1,166
$1.40 ฿46.70
-15.71%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.64 CLP 1,618
$1.28 ฿42.89
28.12%
Eggs
$3.51 CLP 3,454
$2.25 ฿75.3
56.00%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.66 CLP 9,505
$16.94 ฿566
-42.98%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.13 CLP 5,053
$2.74 ฿91.6
87.23%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.02 CLP 11.8K
$9.36 ฿313
28.42%
Apples (1kg)
$1.51 CLP 1,490
$2.40 ฿80.3
-37.08%
Banana (1kg)
$1.79 CLP 1,763
$1.01 ฿33.92
77.23%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.29 CLP 1,270
$1.61 ฿53.9
-19.88%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.11 CLP 1,091
$1.52 ฿50.7
-26.97%
Potato (1kg)
$1.55 CLP 1,525
$1.28 ฿42.90
21.09%
Onion (1kg)
$1.26 CLP 1,241
$1.11 ฿37.22
13.51%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.98 CLP 966
$0.72 ฿24.09
36.11%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.24 CLP 1,223
$0.52 ฿17.54
138.46%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.88 CLP 4,801
$4.33 ฿145
12.70%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.28 CLP 7,171
$17.73 ฿593
-58.94%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.75 CLP 1,727
$1.63 ฿54.4
7.36%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15 CLP 2,121
$2.85 ฿95.3
-24.56%
🚌 Getting Around
Vina del Mar
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.52 CLP 514
$0.85 ฿28.31
-38.82%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$38.66 CLP 38.1K
$53.9 ฿1,801
-28.27%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.49 CLP 1,469
$1.17 ฿39.18
27.35%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.25 CLP 1,228
$0.57 ฿19.00
119.30%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$12.33 CLP 12.1K
$2.37 ฿79.2
420.25%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.36 CLP 1,338
$1.45 ฿48.32
-6.21%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.3K CLP 18.0M
$20.5K ฿684.3K
-10.67%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.4K CLP 17.2M
$26.5K ฿886.1K
-34.19%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Vina del Mar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$108 CLP 106.3K
$62.3 ฿2,083
73.24%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.92 CLP 14.7K
$12.27 ฿410
21.60%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.68 CLP 17.4K
$19.97 ฿668
-11.47%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Vina del Mar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$44.29 CLP 43.6K
$37.91 ฿1,267
16.83%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.63 CLP 23.3K
$3.76 ฿126
528.46%
Cinema Ticket
$6.06 CLP 5,965
$6.71 ฿224
-9.69%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Vina del Mar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$497 CLP 489.5K
$797 ฿26.6K
-37.62%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,087 CLP 5.0M
$14.8K ฿495.7K
-65.70%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Vina del Mar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$43.11 CLP 42.4K
$53.3 ฿1,780
-19.04%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.47 CLP 32.9K
$25.05 ฿837
33.61%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$55.2 CLP 54.3K
$91.6 ฿3,062
-39.81%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$85.8 CLP 84.5K
$73.5 ฿2,455
16.83%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Vina del Mar
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$468 CLP 460.8K
$464 ฿15.5K
0.87%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$333 CLP 328.0K
$305 ฿10.2K
9.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$836 CLP 823.0K
$915 ฿30.6K
-8.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$619 CLP 609.3K
$552 ฿18.5K
12.06%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,379 CLP 2.3M
$1,912 ฿63.9K
24.42%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,525 CLP 1.5M
$1,438 ฿48.1K
5.99%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Vina del Mar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,075 CLP 1.1M
$595 ฿19.9K
80.66%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.83
5.57
-13.29%

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

Last update for Vina del Mar: October 13, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 13, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Vina del Mar
$333
Chiang Mai
$305 8.6% $29
Groceries & Markets
Vina del Mar
$219
Chiang Mai
$238 8.7% $19
Eating Out
Vina del Mar
$167
Chiang Mai
$79 52.7% $88
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Vina del Mar
$141
Chiang Mai
$95 32.7% $46
Clothing & Footwear
Vina del Mar
$98
Chiang Mai
$110 11.9% $12
Sport & Entertainment
Vina del Mar
$56
Chiang Mai
$51 9% $5.1
Getting Around
Vina del Mar
$48
Chiang Mai
$61 26.5% $13

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $468 in Vina del Mar versus $464 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 81% higher in Vina del Mar, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $58.0 in Vina del Mar versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $219 in Vina del Mar vs $238 in Chiang Mai – so Vina del Mar wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇨🇱 Vina del Mar
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🕒 Local time
18:29 6:29 PM
04:29 4:29 AM
10 h ahead of Vina del Mar
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
332,875
127,240
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

THB, USD, EUR to CLP – Chilean Peso Converter

Chilean Peso exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 984 CLP (1,000 CLP = 1.02 USD). 1 EUR = 1,107 CLP (10,000 CLP = 9.04 EUR).

Thai Baht exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 33.42 THB (100 THB = 2.99 USD). 1 EUR = 37.57 THB (100 THB = 2.66 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Vina del Mar Chiang Mai 18,170 km ≈ 23 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Vina del Mar
  • 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
Vina del Mar vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Vina del Mar or Chiang Mai?
Vina del Mar costs about 13% more than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from 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 Vina del Mar and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,594 per month in Vina del Mar and $1,408 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Vina del Mar 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 Vina del Mar and in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $497 per month in Vina del Mar and $797 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 Vina del Mar or in Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 9% cheaper in Vina del Mar – 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 Vina del Mar or in Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $938, than in Vina del Mar at $1,062. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Vina del Mar it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Vina del Mar or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $938 versus $1,062 in Vina del Mar. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Vina del Mar 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 – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Vina del Mar or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Vina del Mar makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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