ðA single person spends $426 per month in Zirakpur vs $845 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $672 per month in Zirakpur vs $1,323 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $918 per month in Zirakpur vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðZirakpur is about 50% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Zirakpur and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median â Zirakpur68% lower, Chiang Mai37% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Zirakpur
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.28âđ308
$1.95āļŋ62.8
68.21%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.01âđ1,315
$18.43āļŋ594
-23.98%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.52âđ330
$7.50āļŋ241
-53.07%
Cappuccino
$2.00âđ188
$1.93āļŋ62.3
3.63%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40âđ37.41
$0.78āļŋ25.08
-48.72%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.22âđ20.69
$0.32āļŋ10.42
-31.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72âđ161
$2.15āļŋ69.2
-20.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.82âđ265
$3.71āļŋ120
-23.99%
ð Groceries & Markets
Zirakpur
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.78âđ73.0
$1.71āļŋ55.2
-54.39%
White Bread(500g)
$0.55âđ51.6
$1.56āļŋ50.3
-64.74%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.83âđ77.8
$1.18āļŋ38.06
-29.66%
Eggs
$1.10âđ103
$1.98āļŋ63.9
-44.44%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.47âđ513
$16.04āļŋ517
-65.90%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.06âđ288
$3.17āļŋ102
-3.47%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$10.94āļŋ353
-
Apples(1kg)
$1.99âđ187
$2.63āļŋ84.7
-24.33%
Banana(1kg)
$0.80âđ74.9
$1.17āļŋ37.61
-31.62%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.94âđ88.0
$1.65āļŋ53.0
-43.03%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.57âđ53.1
$1.54āļŋ49.51
-62.99%
Potato(1kg)
$0.37âđ34.52
$1.38āļŋ44.34
-73.19%
Onion(1kg)
$0.49âđ45.88
$1.17āļŋ37.54
-58.12%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.48âđ45.35
$0.66āļŋ21.25
-27.27%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.36âđ33.91
$0.51āļŋ16.55
-29.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.15âđ390
$4.52āļŋ146
-8.19%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.65âđ906
$18.32āļŋ590
-47.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.66âđ156
$1.80āļŋ57.9
-7.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.76âđ259
$3.18āļŋ102
-13.21%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
$5.24âđ492
-
-
ð Getting Around
Zirakpur
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30âđ28.19
$0.90āļŋ28.97
-66.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.58âđ805
$19.00āļŋ612
-54.84%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.82âđ77.4
$1.41āļŋ45.50
-41.84%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.24âđ22.61
$1.31āļŋ42.15
-81.68%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.29âđ121
$8.09āļŋ261
-84.05%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.20âđ112
$1.28āļŋ41.08
-6.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$14.7Kâđ1.4M
$21.3Kāļŋ686.1K
-30.80%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.2Kâđ2.6M
$21.7Kāļŋ699.3K
30.04%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Zirakpur
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$47.11âđ4,421
$69.2āļŋ2,230
-31.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.32âđ312
$13.97āļŋ450
-76.23%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.44âđ792
$17.95āļŋ578
-52.98%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Zirakpur
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$15.96âđ1,498
$42.31āļŋ1,363
-62.28%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.88âđ646
$6.66āļŋ214
3.30%
Cinema Ticket
$2.96âđ277
$5.92āļŋ191
-50.00%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Zirakpur
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$60.8âđ5,706
$299āļŋ9,640
-79.68%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,685âđ158.2K
$14.8Kāļŋ478.4K
-88.65%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Zirakpur
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$25.71âđ2,413
$56.2āļŋ1,810
-54.24%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.26âđ2,559
$26.94āļŋ868
1.19%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$52.5âđ4,925
$84.9āļŋ2,735
-38.18%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$36.05âđ3,384
$71.8āļŋ2,314
-49.81%
ð Accommodation & Living
Zirakpur
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$122âđ11.5K
$435āļŋ14.0K
-71.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$76.2âđ7,149
$240āļŋ7,727
-68.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$271âđ25.5K
$798āļŋ25.7K
-65.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$182âđ17.1K
$498āļŋ16.1K
-63.41%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$514âđ48.2K
$1,995āļŋ64.3K
-74.24%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$567âđ53.2K
$1,532āļŋ49.4K
-62.99%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Zirakpur
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$187âđ17.6K
$628āļŋ20.2K
-70.18%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.3
5
66.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Zirakpur: April 20, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $122 in Zirakpur 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.
ð°Salaries run about 235% higher in Chiang Mai, 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 $14 in Zirakpur versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $116 vs $244 â making Zirakpur 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
Zirakpur vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Zirakpur or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 98% more than Zirakpur, 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 Zirakpur vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $639 per month in Zirakpur 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, Zirakpur or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Zirakpur, 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 Zirakpur and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $60.8 per month in Zirakpur 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 Zirakpur or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 111% 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 $800/month in Zirakpur or Chiang Mai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $426 in Zirakpur and $845 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Zirakpur or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Zirakpur costs $426 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 Zirakpur 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 Zirakpur or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Zirakpur. 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.