ðA single person spends $425 per month in Zaheerabad vs $845 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $679 per month in Zaheerabad vs $1,323 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $932 per month in Zaheerabad vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðZaheerabad is about 50% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Zaheerabad and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median â Zaheerabad68% lower, Chiang Mai37% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Zaheerabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.40âđ319
$1.95āļŋ62.8
74.36%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$17.20âđ1,615
$18.43āļŋ594
-6.67%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.12âđ481
$7.50āļŋ241
-31.73%
Cappuccino
$2.01âđ189
$1.93āļŋ62.3
4.15%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.44âđ41.58
$0.78āļŋ25.08
-43.59%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.18âđ17.02
$0.32āļŋ10.42
-43.75%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.11âđ198
$2.15āļŋ69.2
-1.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.45âđ324
$3.71āļŋ120
-7.01%
ð Groceries & Markets
Zaheerabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.37âđ34.31
$1.71āļŋ55.2
-78.36%
White Bread(500g)
$0.30âđ28.35
$1.56āļŋ50.3
-80.77%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.49âđ45.83
$1.18āļŋ38.06
-58.47%
Eggs
$0.87âđ81.9
$1.98āļŋ63.9
-56.06%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.28âđ589
$16.04āļŋ517
-60.85%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.59âđ337
$3.17āļŋ102
13.25%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$10.94āļŋ353
-
Apples(1kg)
$1.76âđ165
$2.63āļŋ84.7
-33.08%
Banana(1kg)
$0.60âđ56.6
$1.17āļŋ37.61
-48.72%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.73âđ68.3
$1.65āļŋ53.0
-55.76%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.47âđ43.78
$1.54āļŋ49.51
-69.48%
Potato(1kg)
$0.46âđ43.20
$1.38āļŋ44.34
-66.67%
Onion(1kg)
$0.33âđ31.25
$1.17āļŋ37.54
-71.79%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.65âđ61.0
$0.66āļŋ21.25
-1.52%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.36âđ33.87
$0.51āļŋ16.55
-29.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.98âđ373
$4.52āļŋ146
-11.95%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.54âđ801
$18.32āļŋ590
-53.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.03âđ190
$1.80āļŋ57.9
12.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88âđ270
$3.18āļŋ102
-9.43%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
$6.56âđ616
-
-
ð Getting Around
Zaheerabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30âđ28.42
$0.90āļŋ28.97
-66.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.96âđ841
$19.00āļŋ612
-52.84%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.14âđ107
$1.41āļŋ45.50
-19.15%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.32âđ30.33
$1.31āļŋ42.15
-75.57%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$0.71âđ66.8
$8.09āļŋ261
-91.22%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.25âđ117
$1.28āļŋ41.08
-2.34%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.3Kâđ1.6M
$21.3Kāļŋ686.1K
-18.85%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.6Kâđ2.3M
$21.7Kāļŋ699.3K
13.33%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Zaheerabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$38.80âđ3,642
$69.2āļŋ2,230
-43.93%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.62âđ434
$13.97āļŋ450
-66.93%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.43âđ791
$17.95āļŋ578
-53.04%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Zaheerabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$16.12âđ1,513
$42.31āļŋ1,363
-61.90%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.96âđ653
$6.66āļŋ214
4.50%
Cinema Ticket
$3.98âđ374
$5.92āļŋ191
-32.77%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Zaheerabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$117âđ11.0K
$299āļŋ9,640
-60.90%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,574âđ241.6K
$14.8Kāļŋ478.4K
-82.67%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Zaheerabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$31.49âđ2,956
$56.2āļŋ1,810
-43.96%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$23.92âđ2,245
$26.94āļŋ868
-11.21%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$48.20âđ4,524
$84.9āļŋ2,735
-43.21%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$37.50âđ3,520
$71.8āļŋ2,314
-47.79%
ð Accommodation & Living
Zaheerabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$126âđ11.9K
$435āļŋ14.0K
-70.95%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$76.4âđ7,173
$240āļŋ7,727
-68.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$277âđ26.0K
$798āļŋ25.7K
-65.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$183âđ17.2K
$498āļŋ16.1K
-63.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,069âđ100.3K
$1,995āļŋ64.3K
-46.45%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$507âđ47.6K
$1,532āļŋ49.4K
-66.90%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Zaheerabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$628āļŋ20.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.19
5
83.80%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Zaheerabad: April 21, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $126 in Zaheerabad versus $435 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.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $17 in Zaheerabad versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $109 vs $244 â making Zaheerabad 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
Zaheerabad vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Zaheerabad or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 99% more than Zaheerabad, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 Zaheerabad vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $638 per month in Zaheerabad and $1,267 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Zaheerabad or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Zaheerabad, 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 Zaheerabad and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $117 per month in Zaheerabad and $299 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 Zaheerabad or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 125% more in Chiang Mai, 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 $1,200/month in Zaheerabad or Chiang Mai?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $425 in Zaheerabad and $845 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Zaheerabad or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Zaheerabad costs $425 versus $845 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Zaheerabad 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 Zaheerabad or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Zaheerabad. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chiang Mai makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Zaheerabad vs other spots: cost of living compared