πA single person spends $317 per month in Zliten vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA couple spends around $518 per month in Zliten vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA family of three spends $719 per month in Zliten vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πZliten is about 63% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Zliten and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median β Zliten76% lower, Chiang Mai36% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Zliten
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.87LYDΒ 18.17
$1.96ΰΈΏ64.0
46.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.55LYDΒ 92.3
$18.81ΰΈΏ615
-22.65%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.51LYDΒ 15.89
$7.92ΰΈΏ259
-68.31%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.52LYDΒ 3.31
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.70LYDΒ 4.46
-
-
Cappuccino
$0.42LYDΒ 2.65
$1.91ΰΈΏ62.6
-78.01%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.41LYDΒ 2.59
$0.84ΰΈΏ27.41
-51.19%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.10LYDΒ 0.63
$0.35ΰΈΏ11.51
-71.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.21ΰΈΏ72.1
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.80ΰΈΏ124
-
π Groceries & Markets
Zliten
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.81LYDΒ 5.14
$1.64ΰΈΏ53.5
-50.61%
White Bread(500g)
$0.21LYDΒ 1.33
$1.62ΰΈΏ53.1
-87.04%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.82LYDΒ 5.18
$1.18ΰΈΏ38.62
-30.51%
Eggs
$1.29LYDΒ 8.17
$2.01ΰΈΏ65.8
-35.82%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.45LYDΒ 28.20
$15.89ΰΈΏ520
-71.99%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.86LYDΒ 18.11
$3.01ΰΈΏ98.5
-4.98%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.14LYDΒ 64.3
$10.77ΰΈΏ352
-5.85%
Apples(1kg)
$1.08LYDΒ 6.83
$2.61ΰΈΏ85.5
-58.62%
Banana(1kg)
$1.16LYDΒ 7.38
$1.22ΰΈΏ39.88
-4.92%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.65LYDΒ 4.14
$1.70ΰΈΏ55.7
-61.76%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.52LYDΒ 3.30
$1.58ΰΈΏ51.5
-67.09%
Potato(1kg)
$0.64LYDΒ 4.08
$1.32ΰΈΏ43.14
-51.52%
Onion(1kg)
$0.47LYDΒ 2.97
$1.17ΰΈΏ38.23
-59.83%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.33LYDΒ 2.12
$0.67ΰΈΏ21.98
-50.75%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.22LYDΒ 1.40
$0.56ΰΈΏ18.32
-60.71%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.24LYDΒ 7.86
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.67LYDΒ 4.27
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45LYDΒ 2.84
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.78LYDΒ 11.26
$4.53ΰΈΏ148
-60.71%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$18.20ΰΈΏ595
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.83ΰΈΏ60.0
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.23ΰΈΏ106
-
π Getting Around
Zliten
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.17LYDΒ 1.11
$0.89ΰΈΏ29.00
-80.90%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.19LYDΒ 51.9
$19.38ΰΈΏ634
-57.74%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.95LYDΒ 6.01
$1.35ΰΈΏ44.20
-29.63%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.91LYDΒ 5.78
$1.35ΰΈΏ44.05
-32.59%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.56LYDΒ 22.59
$8.25ΰΈΏ270
-56.85%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.03LYDΒ 0.19
$1.27ΰΈΏ41.64
-97.64%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$13.8KLYDΒ 87.5K
$21.2KΰΈΏ691.8K
-34.79%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$15.3KLYDΒ 97.0K
$22.5KΰΈΏ735.3K
-31.95%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Zliten
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$18.67LYDΒ 118
$70.2ΰΈΏ2,294
-73.39%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.58LYDΒ 35.38
$13.77ΰΈΏ450
-59.48%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.18LYDΒ 147
$17.60ΰΈΏ575
31.70%
π Sport & Entertainment
Zliten
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$16.76LYDΒ 106
$41.57ΰΈΏ1,360
-59.68%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.60ΰΈΏ216
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.70LYDΒ 29.80
$5.78ΰΈΏ189
-18.69%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Zliten
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$36.07LYDΒ 229
$306ΰΈΏ10.0K
-88.22%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$634LYDΒ 4,017
$14.8KΰΈΏ484.8K
-95.73%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Zliten
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$10.82LYDΒ 68.6
$54.4ΰΈΏ1,778
-80.10%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$11.85LYDΒ 75.2
$26.14ΰΈΏ855
-54.67%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$42.08LYDΒ 267
$84.5ΰΈΏ2,764
-50.22%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$22.18LYDΒ 141
$69.4ΰΈΏ2,270
-68.05%
π Accommodation & Living
Zliten
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$74.5LYDΒ 472
$424ΰΈΏ13.9K
-82.43%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$50.6LYDΒ 321
$238ΰΈΏ7,788
-78.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$193LYDΒ 1,224
$825ΰΈΏ27.0K
-76.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$91.9LYDΒ 583
$515ΰΈΏ16.8K
-82.16%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,049ΰΈΏ67.0K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,523ΰΈΏ49.8K
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Zliten
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$635ΰΈΏ20.8K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.5
5
150.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Zliten: April 25, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $74.5 in Zliten 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.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $15.00 in Zliten versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $101 vs $243 β making Zliten 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
Zliten vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Zliten or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 169% more than Zliten, 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 Zliten vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $475 per month in Zliten and $1,278 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Zliten or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Zliten, 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 Zliten and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $36.07 per month in Zliten 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 Zliten or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 141% 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 Zliten or Chiang Mai?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably β all-in costs are $317 in Zliten and $852 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Zliten or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Zliten costs $317 versus $852 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Zliten 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 β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Zliten or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Zliten. 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.