Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Winona, MN and Chiang Mai

For one person, living is cheaper in Chiang Mai: $925 a month against $1,950 in Winona, MN, rent and utilities included – about $12,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Winona, MN
🇺🇸 United States
$1,950
/mo nomad
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$925
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

A single person spends $1,950 per month in Winona, MN vs $925 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Winona, MN $1,950
  • Chiang Mai $925

A couple spends around $2,925 per month in Winona, MN vs $1,414 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Winona, MN $2,925
  • Chiang Mai $1,414

A family of three spends $3,900 per month in Winona, MN vs $1,903 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Winona, MN $3,900
  • Chiang Mai $1,903

Winona, MN costs about 111% more than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Winona, MN sits 44% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 32% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Winona, MN
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.12 $15.12
$2.29 ฿76.5
560.26%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$58.5 $58.5
$19.64 ฿656
197.61%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.46 $11.46
$5.61 ฿188
104.28%
Cappuccino
$5.54 $5.54
$1.66 ฿55.6
233.73%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79 $1.79
$0.70 ฿23.40
155.71%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.03 $1.03
$0.31 ฿10.24
232.26%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.12 $4.12
$2.41 ฿80.4
70.95%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.90 $5.90
$3.71 ฿124
59.03%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Winona, MN
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.00 $1.00
$1.95 ฿65.3
-48.72%
White Bread (500g)
$1.41 $1.41
$1.41 ฿47.03
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.16 $4.16
$1.31 ฿43.62
217.56%
Eggs
$1.75 $1.75
$2.18 ฿72.9
-19.72%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.72 $14.72
$16.65 ฿556
-11.59%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$13.41 $13.41
$2.76 ฿92.2
385.87%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.81 $19.81
$9.11 ฿304
117.45%
Apples (1kg)
$4.61 $4.61
$2.39 ฿80.0
92.89%
Banana (1kg)
$0.64 $0.64
$1.03 ฿34.26
-37.86%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.12 $5.12
$1.63 ฿54.4
214.11%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.96 $4.96
$1.50 ฿50.0
230.67%
Potato (1kg)
$2.79 $2.79
$1.29 ฿43.13
116.28%
Onion (1kg)
$3.03 $3.03
$1.11 ฿37.03
172.97%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.10 $2.10
$0.72 ฿24.08
191.67%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.37 $2.37
$0.53 ฿17.59
347.17%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.85 $10.85
$4.31 ฿144
151.74%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.47 $15.47
$17.95 ฿600
-13.82%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.70 $2.70
$1.58 ฿52.9
70.89%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.33 $4.33
$2.84 ฿95.0
52.46%
🚌 Getting Around
Winona, MN
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.03 $2.03
$0.86 ฿28.86
136.05%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$66.8 $66.8
$53.3 ฿1,780
25.41%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.88 $3.88
$1.21 ฿40.29
220.66%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.06 $2.06
$0.57 ฿18.99
261.40%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$42.95 $42.95
$2.35 ฿78.6
1727.66%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.99 $0.99
$1.44 ฿47.96
-31.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.1K $31.1K
$20.7K ฿692.8K
50.05%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1K $26.1K
$26.8K ฿895.7K
-2.64%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Winona, MN
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$198 $198
$62.3 ฿2,083
217.39%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$29.44 $29.44
$12.11 ฿405
143.10%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$53.2 $53.2
$19.94 ฿666
166.75%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Winona, MN
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$60.4 $60.4
$37.07 ฿1,239
62.85%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$3.78 ฿126
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.82 $9.82
$6.50 ฿217
51.08%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Winona, MN
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,718 $1,718
$793 ฿26.5K
116.70%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.9K $23.9K
$14.8K ฿494.9K
61.21%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Winona, MN
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$63.1 $63.1
$53.7 ฿1,796
17.42%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$50.4 $50.4
$24.62 ฿823
104.83%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$106 $106
$90.9 ฿3,036
16.62%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$123 $123
$71.1 ฿2,378
72.48%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Winona, MN
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$867 $867
$455 ฿15.2K
90.33%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$686 $686
$298 ฿9,954
130.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,285 $1,285
$908 ฿30.4K
41.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,180 $1,180
$554 ฿18.5K
113.11%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,671 $1,671
$1,931 ฿64.5K
-13.47%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,653 $1,653
$1,445 ฿48.3K
14.41%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Winona, MN
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$591 ฿19.7K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.69
5.57
20.11%

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

Last update for Winona, MN: October 19, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 17, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Winona, MN
$686
Chiang Mai
$298 56.6% $388
Groceries & Markets
Winona, MN
$395
Chiang Mai
$235 40.4% $160
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Winona, MN
$280
Chiang Mai
$94 66.3% $186
Eating Out
Winona, MN
$265
Chiang Mai
$79 70.4% $187
Clothing & Footwear
Winona, MN
$154
Chiang Mai
$108 29.8% $46
Getting Around
Winona, MN
$89
Chiang Mai
$61 31.8% $28
Sport & Entertainment
Winona, MN
$80
Chiang Mai
$50 37.4% $30

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $867 in Winona, MN versus $455 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $58.0 in Winona, MN versus $20.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $395 vs $235 – making Chiang Mai the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Winona, MN
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🕒 Local time
23:49 11:49 PM
11:49 11:49 AM
12 h ahead of Winona, MN
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
26,533
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 October 22, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Thai Baht exchange rates as of October 22, 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
  • Winona, MN Chiang Mai 12,940 km ≈ 17 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Winona, MN
  • 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
Winona, MN vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Winona, MN or Chiang Mai?
Winona, MN costs about 111% 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 Winona, MN and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,924 per month in Winona, MN and $1,388 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Winona, MN 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 Winona, MN and in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $1,718 per month in Winona, MN and $793 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 Winona, MN or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 68% more in Winona, MN, 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 Winona, MN or in Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $925, than in Winona, MN at $1,950. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Winona, MN it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Winona, MN or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $925 versus $1,950 in Winona, MN. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Winona, MN 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 Winona, MN or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Winona, MN makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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