Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Wallingford, CT and Chiang Mai

For one person, living is cheaper in Chiang Mai: $935 a month against $1,247 in Wallingford, CT, rent and utilities included – about $3,700 less a year. The total is higher in Wallingford, CT despite lower rent and utilities.

Wallingford, CT, United States
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Wallingford, CT
🇺🇸 United States
$1,247
/mo nomad
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$935
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

A single person spends $1,247 per month in Wallingford, CT vs $935 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Wallingford, CT $1,247
  • Chiang Mai $935

A couple spends around $2,001 per month in Wallingford, CT vs $1,467 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Wallingford, CT $2,001
  • Chiang Mai $1,467

A family of three spends $2,756 per month in Wallingford, CT vs $1,999 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Wallingford, CT $2,756
  • Chiang Mai $1,999

Wallingford, CT costs about 33% more than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Wallingford, CT and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Wallingford, CT 8% lower, Chiang Mai 31% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Wallingford, CT
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.74 $19.74
$2.13 ฿71.6
826.76%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.2 $74.2
$18.62 ฿624
298.28%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.91 $12.91
$5.60 ฿188
130.54%
Cappuccino
$5.25 $5.25
$1.66 ฿55.8
216.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.91 $2.91
$0.65 ฿21.69
347.69%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.51 $2.51
$0.30 ฿10.22
736.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.17 $6.17
$2.32 ฿77.9
165.95%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.41 $8.41
$3.67 ฿123
129.16%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Wallingford, CT
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$2.02 ฿67.6
-48.51%
White Bread (500g)
$4.45 $4.45
$1.41 ฿47.21
215.60%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$7.55 $7.55
$1.39 ฿46.67
443.17%
Eggs
$6.08 $6.08
$2.37 ฿79.4
156.54%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.48 $10.48
$16.52 ฿554
-36.56%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.85 $10.85
$2.67 ฿89.5
306.37%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.26 $19.26
$9.02 ฿302
113.53%
Apples (1kg)
$5.66 $5.66
$2.40 ฿80.4
135.83%
Banana (1kg)
$2.20 $2.20
$1.04 ฿34.91
111.54%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.40 $3.40
$1.66 ฿55.6
104.82%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.03 $3.03
$1.56 ฿52.3
94.23%
Potato (1kg)
$2.24 $2.24
$1.24 ฿41.50
80.65%
Onion (1kg)
$2.46 $2.46
$1.09 ฿36.44
125.69%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.75 $2.75
$0.76 ฿25.54
261.84%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.57 $2.57
$0.51 ฿17.24
403.92%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$13.55 $13.55
$4.12 ฿138
228.88%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.92 $16.92
$17.93 ฿601
-5.63%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83 $1.83
$1.62 ฿54.4
12.96%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75 $2.75
$2.82 ฿94.6
-2.48%
🚌 Getting Around
Wallingford, CT
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.93 ฿31.33
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$52.9 ฿1,773
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.98 $2.98
$1.18 ฿39.45
152.54%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.21 $2.21
$0.17 ฿5.75
1200.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$42.30 $42.30
$1.81 ฿60.8
2237.02%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.17 $1.17
$1.47 ฿49.38
-20.41%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.3K $28.3K
$21.0K ฿704.5K
34.53%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7K $26.7K
$26.5K ฿889.1K
0.61%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Wallingford, CT
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$198 $198
$62.6 ฿2,098
215.90%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.59 $36.59
$11.60 ฿389
215.43%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$61.6 $61.6
$20.30 ฿681
203.40%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Wallingford, CT
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$25.14 $25.14
$37.88 ฿1,270
-33.63%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$3.70 ฿124
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.59 $12.59
$6.51 ฿218
93.39%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Wallingford, CT
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,143 $2,143
$727 ฿24.4K
194.72%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$33.8K $33.8K
$16.6K ฿555.7K
104.03%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Wallingford, CT
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$39.00 $39.00
$53.5 ฿1,795
-27.16%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$16.20 $16.20
$24.80 ฿832
-34.68%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$99.7 $99.7
$90.4 ฿3,031
10.29%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$140 $140
$72.0 ฿2,413
94.21%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Wallingford, CT
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,602 $1,602
$481 ฿16.1K
232.87%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$310 ฿10.4K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,058 ฿35.5K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$659 ฿22.1K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$2,418 ฿81.1K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,609 ฿53.9K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Wallingford, CT
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,655 $4,655
$595 ฿19.9K
682.60%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.51
5.57
16.88%

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

Last update for Wallingford, CT: November 3, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: November 1, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Groceries & Markets
Wallingford, CT
$425
Chiang Mai
$237 44.3% $189
Eating Out
Wallingford, CT
$329
Chiang Mai
$77 76.7% $252
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Wallingford, CT
$296
Chiang Mai
$94 68.1% $201
Clothing & Footwear
Wallingford, CT
$133
Chiang Mai
$108 18.3% $24
Sport & Entertainment
Wallingford, CT
$50
Chiang Mai
$51 1.2% $0.6
Getting Around
Wallingford, CT
$14 *
Chiang Mai
$59 318% $45
Accommodation & Living
Wallingford, CT
- *
Chiang Mai
$310

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,602 in Wallingford, CT versus $481 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 in Wallingford, CT are about 7.8 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $74 in Wallingford, CT versus $19 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $425 vs $237 – making Chiang Mai the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Wallingford, CT
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🕒 Local time
13:16 1:16 PM
01:16 1:16 AM
12 h ahead of Wallingford, CT
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
44,740
127,240
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

THB, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 33.53 THB (100 THB = 2.98 USD). 1 EUR = 37.66 THB (100 THB = 2.66 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Wallingford, CT Chiang Mai 13,260 km ≈ 17 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Wallingford, CT
  • 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
Wallingford, CT vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Wallingford, CT or Chiang Mai?
Wallingford, CT costs about 33% 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 Wallingford, CT and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,870 per month in Wallingford, CT and $1,403 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Wallingford, CT or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Chiang Mai, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $481 there versus $1,602 in Wallingford, CT.
How do dining costs compare in Wallingford, CT and in Chiang Mai?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $74 in Wallingford, CT and $19 in Chiang Mai. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Wallingford, CT or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 80% more in Wallingford, CT, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $800/month in Wallingford, CT or in Chiang Mai?
$800 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $1,247 in Wallingford, CT and $935 in Chiang Mai. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Chiang Mai – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Wallingford, CT 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 Wallingford, CT or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Wallingford, CT makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

Wallingford, CT vs other spots: cost of living compared

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