ðA single person spends $1,823 per month in Voru vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $2,772 per month in Voru vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $3,720 per month in Voru vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðVoru costs about 114% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðVoru sits 36% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 36% below â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Voru
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.02âŽ13.68
$1.96āļŋ63.6
717.35%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$87.6âŽ74.8
$18.81āļŋ611
365.44%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.47âŽ9.79
$7.92āļŋ258
44.82%
Cappuccino
$4.35âŽ3.71
$1.91āļŋ62.2
127.75%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.85âŽ2.43
$0.84āļŋ27.25
239.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.53âŽ2.16
$0.35āļŋ11.44
622.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.27âŽ5.36
$2.21āļŋ71.7
183.71%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.54âŽ5.58
$3.80āļŋ124
72.11%
ð Groceries & Markets
Voru
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.31âŽ1.11
$1.64āļŋ53.2
-20.12%
White Bread(500g)
$1.42âŽ1.21
$1.62āļŋ52.8
-12.35%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.02âŽ2.58
$1.18āļŋ38.40
155.93%
Eggs
$2.91âŽ2.49
$2.01āļŋ65.4
44.78%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.46âŽ11.49
$15.89āļŋ517
-15.29%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.30âŽ7.94
$3.01āļŋ98.0
208.97%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$22.83âŽ19.50
$10.77āļŋ350
111.98%
Apples(1kg)
$2.31âŽ1.97
$2.61āļŋ85.0
-11.49%
Banana(1kg)
$1.53âŽ1.31
$1.22āļŋ39.65
25.41%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.79âŽ2.38
$1.70āļŋ55.4
64.12%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.72âŽ3.18
$1.58āļŋ51.2
135.44%
Potato(1kg)
$1.39âŽ1.19
$1.32āļŋ42.89
5.30%
Onion(1kg)
$0.98âŽ0.84
$1.17āļŋ38.01
-16.24%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.94âŽ1.66
$0.67āļŋ21.85
189.55%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.09âŽ0.93
$0.56āļŋ18.21
94.64%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.82âŽ5.82
$4.53āļŋ147
50.55%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.72âŽ10.01
$18.20āļŋ592
-35.60%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.91âŽ1.63
$1.83āļŋ59.6
4.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.58âŽ2.21
$3.23āļŋ105
-20.12%
ð Getting Around
Voru
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.14âŽ0.98
$0.89āļŋ28.83
28.09%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$37.27âŽ31.83
$19.38āļŋ630
92.31%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.37âŽ3.73
$1.35āļŋ43.95
223.70%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.80âŽ0.68
$1.35āļŋ43.79
-40.74%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$17.49âŽ14.94
$8.25āļŋ268
112.00%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.90âŽ1.63
$1.27āļŋ41.40
49.61%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.8KâŽ27.2K
$21.2Kāļŋ687.8K
50.40%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.2KâŽ29.2K
$22.5Kāļŋ731.0K
51.87%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Voru
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$349âŽ298
$70.2āļŋ2,281
397.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.43âŽ17.45
$13.77āļŋ448
48.37%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$35.66âŽ30.46
$17.60āļŋ572
102.61%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Voru
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.3âŽ44.64
$41.57āļŋ1,352
25.74%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.22âŽ19.83
$6.60āļŋ215
251.82%
Cinema Ticket
$5.94âŽ5.07
$5.78āļŋ188
2.77%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Voru
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$262âŽ224
$306āļŋ9,953
-14.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,791âŽ6,653
$14.8Kāļŋ482.0K
-47.45%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Voru
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$115âŽ98.0
$54.4āļŋ1,768
110.98%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.36âŽ39.59
$26.14āļŋ850
77.35%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$105âŽ90.0
$84.5āļŋ2,748
24.64%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$145âŽ124
$69.4āļŋ2,257
108.53%
ð Accommodation & Living
Voru
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$737âŽ629
$424āļŋ13.8K
73.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$478âŽ408
$238āļŋ7,743
100.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,371âŽ1,171
$825āļŋ26.8K
66.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$836âŽ714
$515āļŋ16.7K
62.29%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,547âŽ3,029
$2,049āļŋ66.6K
73.06%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,785âŽ1,524
$1,523āļŋ49.5K
17.20%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Voru
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$801âŽ684
$635āļŋ20.6K
26.13%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.1
5
2.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Voru: April 27, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $737 in Voru 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 26% higher in Voru, 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 $88.0 in Voru versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $322 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
Voru vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Voru or Chiang Mai?
Voru costs about 114% 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 Voru vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,735 per month in Voru 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, Voru 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 Voru and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $262 per month in Voru 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 Voru or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 32% more in Voru, 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 Voru or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Voru at $1,823. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Voru it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Voru or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $1,823 in Voru. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Voru 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 Voru or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Voru makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.