πA single person spends $318 per month in Zliten vs $848 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA couple spends around $516 per month in Zliten vs $1,331 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA family of three spends $713 per month in Zliten vs $1,814 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
$3.02LYDΒ 19.18
$1.96ΰΈΏ63.6
54.08%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.49LYDΒ 92.2
$18.39ΰΈΏ598
-21.21%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.49LYDΒ 15.86
$7.87ΰΈΏ256
-68.36%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.57LYDΒ 3.66
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72LYDΒ 4.60
-
-
Cappuccino
$0.44LYDΒ 2.83
$1.95ΰΈΏ63.4
-77.44%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42LYDΒ 2.66
$0.85ΰΈΏ27.57
-50.59%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.12LYDΒ 0.75
$0.32ΰΈΏ10.52
-62.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.14ΰΈΏ69.6
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.68ΰΈΏ120
-
π Groceries & Markets
Zliten
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.85LYDΒ 5.42
$1.66ΰΈΏ53.9
-48.80%
White Bread(500g)
$0.21LYDΒ 1.33
$1.56ΰΈΏ50.7
-86.54%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.86LYDΒ 5.45
$1.19ΰΈΏ38.63
-27.73%
Eggs
$1.26LYDΒ 8.00
$1.99ΰΈΏ64.7
-36.68%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.43LYDΒ 28.15
$16.24ΰΈΏ528
-72.72%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.84LYDΒ 18.05
$3.17ΰΈΏ103
-10.41%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.22LYDΒ 65.0
$10.84ΰΈΏ352
-5.72%
Apples(1kg)
$1.12LYDΒ 7.14
$2.65ΰΈΏ86.2
-57.74%
Banana(1kg)
$1.21LYDΒ 7.71
$1.22ΰΈΏ39.67
-0.82%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.62LYDΒ 3.93
$1.65ΰΈΏ53.7
-62.42%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.56LYDΒ 3.55
$1.55ΰΈΏ50.3
-63.87%
Potato(1kg)
$0.70LYDΒ 4.46
$1.33ΰΈΏ43.17
-47.37%
Onion(1kg)
$0.51LYDΒ 3.24
$1.21ΰΈΏ39.43
-57.85%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.33LYDΒ 2.11
$0.68ΰΈΏ22.04
-51.47%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.22LYDΒ 1.40
$0.57ΰΈΏ18.38
-61.40%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.27LYDΒ 8.10
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.71LYDΒ 4.51
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.44LYDΒ 2.80
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.81LYDΒ 11.50
$4.68ΰΈΏ152
-61.32%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$16.99ΰΈΏ552
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.82ΰΈΏ59.3
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.18ΰΈΏ103
-
π Getting Around
Zliten
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.20LYDΒ 1.25
$0.91ΰΈΏ29.46
-78.02%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.38LYDΒ 53.3
$18.74ΰΈΏ609
-55.28%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.97LYDΒ 6.14
$1.41ΰΈΏ45.80
-31.21%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.83LYDΒ 5.30
$1.34ΰΈΏ43.52
-38.06%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.75LYDΒ 23.87
$8.14ΰΈΏ265
-53.93%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.03LYDΒ 0.16
$1.28ΰΈΏ41.53
-97.66%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$13.6KLYDΒ 86.5K
$21.8KΰΈΏ709.3K
-37.67%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$15.5KLYDΒ 98.6K
$22.4KΰΈΏ728.0K
-30.75%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Zliten
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$18.69LYDΒ 119
$70.5ΰΈΏ2,291
-73.48%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.40LYDΒ 34.33
$14.05ΰΈΏ457
-61.57%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.40LYDΒ 149
$17.65ΰΈΏ574
32.58%
π Sport & Entertainment
Zliten
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$16.38LYDΒ 104
$41.29ΰΈΏ1,342
-60.33%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.76ΰΈΏ220
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.53LYDΒ 28.82
$5.96ΰΈΏ194
-23.99%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Zliten
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$36.92LYDΒ 235
$303ΰΈΏ9,846
-87.81%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$653LYDΒ 4,155
$15.0KΰΈΏ486.2K
-95.63%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Zliten
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$10.99LYDΒ 69.9
$54.7ΰΈΏ1,778
-79.91%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$11.95LYDΒ 76.0
$26.29ΰΈΏ854
-54.55%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$41.01LYDΒ 261
$85.8ΰΈΏ2,788
-52.19%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$22.50LYDΒ 143
$69.7ΰΈΏ2,265
-67.71%
π Accommodation & Living
Zliten
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$73.5LYDΒ 467
$428ΰΈΏ13.9K
-82.83%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$50.2LYDΒ 319
$239ΰΈΏ7,769
-78.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$195LYDΒ 1,238
$811ΰΈΏ26.4K
-75.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$90.5LYDΒ 576
$510ΰΈΏ16.6K
-82.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,025ΰΈΏ65.8K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,502ΰΈΏ48.8K
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Zliten
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$623ΰΈΏ20.2K
-
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: June 15, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: June 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $73.5 in Zliten versus $428 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 $14.00 in Zliten versus $18.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $102 vs $242 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 167% 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 $477 per month in Zliten and $1,272 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 $36.92 per month in Zliten and $303 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 136% 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 $318 in Zliten and $848 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 $318 versus $848 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.