Cost of Living Comparison Between Zliten and Chiang Mai Cost of Living Comparison Between Zliten and Chiang Mai

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $321 per month in Zliten vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $516 per month in Zliten vs $1,360 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $712 per month in Zliten vs $1,867 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Zliten is about 62% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Zliten and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Zliten 76% lower, Chiang Mai 36% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Zliten
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.01 LYD 19.18
$2.04 ฿68.2
47.55%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.61 LYD 93.2
$18.71 ฿624
-21.91%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$2.41 LYD 15.38
$7.86 ฿262
-69.34%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.53 LYD 3.36
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72 LYD 4.61
-
-
Cappuccino
$0.42 LYD 2.66
$2.03 ฿67.7
-79.31%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45 LYD 2.85
$0.80 ฿26.64
-43.75%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.11 LYD 0.69
$0.35 ฿11.68
-68.57%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.14 ฿71.5
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.67 ฿122
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Zliten
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.86 LYD 5.46
$1.73 ฿57.6
-50.29%
White Bread (500g)
$0.21 LYD 1.33
$1.57 ฿52.4
-86.62%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.86 LYD 5.47
$1.20 ฿39.99
-28.33%
Eggs
$1.24 LYD 7.87
$1.97 ฿65.8
-37.06%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.42 LYD 28.17
$16.23 ฿541
-72.77%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.85 LYD 18.15
$3.06 ฿102
-6.86%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.19 LYD 65.0
$10.80 ฿360
-5.65%
Apples (1kg)
$1.08 LYD 6.91
$2.77 ฿92.3
-61.01%
Banana (1kg)
$1.20 LYD 7.68
$1.17 ฿38.94
2.56%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.63 LYD 4.00
$1.71 ฿57.0
-63.16%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.56 LYD 3.59
$1.59 ฿53.2
-64.78%
Potato (1kg)
$0.70 LYD 4.45
$1.39 ฿46.51
-49.64%
Onion (1kg)
$0.51 LYD 3.24
$1.16 ฿38.56
-56.03%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.33 LYD 2.13
$0.66 ฿22.05
-50.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.20 LYD 1.27
$0.52 ฿17.31
-61.54%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$1.21 LYD 7.74
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.66 LYD 4.23
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.44 LYD 2.80
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.84 LYD 11.75
$4.65 ฿155
-60.43%
Wine (Bottle)
-
$17.78 ฿593
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.79 ฿59.6
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.34 ฿111
-
🚌 Getting Around
Zliten
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.18 LYD 1.17
$0.91 ฿30.27
-80.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$8.22 LYD 52.4
$18.64 ฿622
-55.90%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.88 LYD 5.63
$1.41 ฿47.04
-37.59%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.89 LYD 5.65
$1.34 ฿44.70
-33.58%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.68 LYD 23.46
$8.11 ฿270
-54.62%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.03 LYD 0.20
$1.23 ฿41.16
-97.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$14.0K LYD 89.1K
$21.4K ฿715.1K
-34.78%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$15.8K LYD 100.8K
$21.8K ฿728.0K
-27.54%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Zliten
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$18.66 LYD 119
$71.3 ฿2,379
-73.84%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.35 LYD 34.08
$14.01 ฿467
-61.81%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.61 LYD 144
$17.93 ฿598
26.10%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Zliten
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$16.32 LYD 104
$40.82 ฿1,362
-60.02%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.88 ฿230
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.48 LYD 28.54
$5.72 ฿191
-21.68%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Zliten
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$36.57 LYD 233
$308 ฿10.3K
-88.14%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$645 LYD 4,109
$14.7K ฿489.7K
-95.61%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Zliten
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$11.06 LYD 70.5
$55.8 ฿1,860
-80.17%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$11.81 LYD 75.3
$26.04 ฿869
-54.65%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$42.03 LYD 268
$84.8 ฿2,829
-50.44%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$22.22 LYD 142
$71.0 ฿2,368
-68.70%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Zliten
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$73.4 LYD 468
$423 ฿14.1K
-82.65%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$51.0 LYD 325
$242 ฿8,088
-78.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$194 LYD 1,236
$797 ฿26.6K
-75.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$90.9 LYD 580
$507 ฿16.9K
-82.06%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$1,918 ฿64.0K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,464 ฿48.8K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Zliten
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$595 ฿19.9K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
12.5
5
150.00%

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

Last update for Zliten: July 26, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $73.4 in Zliten versus $423 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 $15.00 in Zliten versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $102 vs $244 – 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 166% 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 and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $481 per month in Zliten and $1,279 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – 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 in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $36.57 per month in Zliten and $308 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 in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 140% 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 in Chiang Mai?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $321 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 $321 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 – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Zliten or to 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.

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