Southeast Asia Updated
Average Cost of Living in Chiang-Mai
The average cost of living in Chiang-Mai, Thailand is $510 per month for a single person, and $1,410 per month for a family of four. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $513 per month. The local average net salary is $633 per month.
Very affordable
Updated today
Index 11.6 · NYC = 100
Estimated monthly cost
- Single person
- $510 / month
- Family of 4
- $1,410 / mo
- Student
- $318 / mo
Includes rent, food, utilities, transport, and dining out. Excludes healthcare, taxes, and discretionary travel.
Salary that covers life in Chiang-Mai
Adjust the household and see the gap or surplus vs. typical local pay.
Interactive
You need at least
$0 / month
Annual gross (25% tax)
$0
vs. local average net salary
$632.76 / month
On this page 11 sections
| Section | Description |
|---|---|
| Salary calculator for Chiang-Mai | Find out the monthly salary needed for a single, family, or student lifestyle. |
| Rent & Property Prices in Chiang-Mai | Apartment rent and property purchase price per square meter. |
| Grocery Prices in Chiang-Mai | Supermarket prices for staples like bread, milk, produce, and meat. |
| Public Transport & Car Costs in Chiang-Mai | Public transport tickets, taxi fares, fuel, and vehicle prices. |
| Utility & Internet Costs in Chiang-Mai | Monthly electricity, heating, water, mobile, and broadband bills. |
| Childcare & Preschool in Chiang-Mai | Preschool fees and international school tuition. |
| Clothing Prices in Chiang-Mai | Jeans, dresses, running shoes, and leather shoes from chain stores. |
| Gym, Cinema & Leisure in Chiang-Mai | Gym memberships, tennis court rentals, and cinema tickets. |
| Restaurant Prices in Chiang-Mai | Meals at inexpensive and mid-range restaurants, coffee, and soft drinks. |
| Salaries & Mortgages in Chiang-Mai | Average monthly net salary and mortgage interest rates. |
| Chiang-Mai FAQs | Common questions about rent, salaries, food, and transport in Chiang-Mai. |
Rent & Property Prices in Chiang-Mai
Apartment rent and property purchase price per square meter.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $513 | $372 – $745 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $291 | $223 – $465 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $929 | $559 – $1,266 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $537 | $372 – $791 |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre | $2,021 | $1,241 – $2,216 |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | $1,509 | $1,393 – $1,741 |
- 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $513$372 – $745
- 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $291$223 – $465
- 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $929$559 – $1,266
- 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $537$372 – $791
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre $2,021$1,241 – $2,216
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre $1,509$1,393 – $1,741
Grocery Prices in Chiang-Mai
Supermarket prices for staples like bread, milk, produce, and meat.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | $1.94 | $1.30 – $3.10 |
| Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf) | $1.74 | $0.93 – $2.79 |
| White Rice (1 kg) | $1.17 | $0.62 – $3.07 |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | $2.08 | $1.39 – $3.28 |
| Local Cheese (1 kg) | $15 | $7.76 – $34 |
| Chicken Fillets (1 kg) | $3.00 | $2.17 – $5.59 |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg) | $11 | $6.21 – $25 |
| Apples (1 kg) | $2.63 | $0.78 – $4.13 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | $0.98 | $0.62 – $2.74 |
| Oranges (1 kg) | $1.74 | $0.93 – $2.74 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $1.46 | $0.62 – $2.79 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | $1.26 | $0.93 – $2.14 |
| Onions (1 kg) | $1.09 | $0.62 – $1.55 |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | $0.84 | $0.50 – $1.20 |
| Bottled Water (1.5 Liter) | $0.49 | $0.31 – $0.93 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $19 | $9.31 – $25 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle) | $1.73 | $1.24 – $2.17 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) | $2.93 | $1.86 – $4.34 |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | $4.52 | $3.72 – $4.65 |
- Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) $1.94$1.30 – $3.10
- Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf) $1.74$0.93 – $2.79
- White Rice (1 kg) $1.17$0.62 – $3.07
- Eggs (12, Large Size) $2.08$1.39 – $3.28
- Local Cheese (1 kg) $15$7.76 – $34
- Chicken Fillets (1 kg) $3.00$2.17 – $5.59
- Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg) $11$6.21 – $25
- Apples (1 kg) $2.63$0.78 – $4.13
- Bananas (1 kg) $0.98$0.62 – $2.74
- Oranges (1 kg) $1.74$0.93 – $2.74
- Tomatoes (1 kg) $1.46$0.62 – $2.79
- Potatoes (1 kg) $1.26$0.93 – $2.14
- Onions (1 kg) $1.09$0.62 – $1.55
- Lettuce (1 Head) $0.84$0.50 – $1.20
- Bottled Water (1.5 Liter) $0.49$0.31 – $0.93
- Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) $19$9.31 – $25
- Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle) $1.73$1.24 – $2.17
- Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) $2.93$1.86 – $4.34
- Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) $4.52$3.72 – $4.65
Public Transport & Car Costs in Chiang-Mai
Public transport tickets, taxi fares, fuel, and vehicle prices.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | $0.93 | $0.62 – $0.93 |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | $56 | $56 – $56 |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | $1.24 | $1.24 – $3.10 |
| Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff) | $0.93 | $0.19 – $1.55 |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | $1.86 | $1.86 – $12 |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | $1.37 | $1.09 – $1.64 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | $21,721 | $21,721 – $23,273 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | $27,379 | $27,379 – $27,741 |
- One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) $0.93$0.62 – $0.93
- Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) $56$56 – $56
- Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) $1.24$1.24 – $3.10
- Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff) $0.93$0.19 – $1.55
- Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) $1.86$1.86 – $12
- Gasoline (1 Liter) $1.37$1.09 – $1.64
- Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) $21,721$21,721 – $23,273
- Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) $27,379$27,379 – $27,741
Utility & Internet Costs in Chiang-Mai
Monthly electricity, heating, water, mobile, and broadband bills.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | $66 | $47 – $119 |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | $14 | $6.21 – $22 |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | $19 | $16 – $23 |
- Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) $66$47 – $119
- Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) $14$6.21 – $22
- Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) $19$16 – $23
Childcare & Preschool in Chiang-Mai
Preschool fees and international school tuition.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | $816 | $600 – $1,160 |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | $15,478 | $10,861 – $24,930 |
- Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child $816$600 – $1,160
- International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child $15,478$10,861 – $24,930
Clothing Prices in Chiang-Mai
Jeans, dresses, running shoes, and leather shoes from chain stores.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | $57 | $37 – $99 |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | $26 | $19 – $33 |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | $99 | $62 – $143 |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | $80 | $47 – $81 |
- Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) $57$37 – $99
- Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) $26$19 – $33
- Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) $99$62 – $143
- Men's Leather Business Shoes $80$47 – $81
Gym, Cinema & Leisure in Chiang-Mai
Gym memberships, tennis court rentals, and cinema tickets.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | $42 | $23 – $78 |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | $3.98 | $1.86 – $4.96 |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | $7.14 | $4.03 – $8.07 |
- Monthly Fitness Club Membership $42$23 – $78
- Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) $3.98$1.86 – $4.96
- Cinema Ticket (International Release) $7.14$4.03 – $8.07
Restaurant Prices in Chiang-Mai
Meals at inexpensive and mid-range restaurants, coffee, and soft drinks.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | $2.02 | $1.55 – $3.10 |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | $19 | $14 – $40 |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | $6.98 | $5.28 – $8.53 |
| Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter) | $2.48 | $1.55 – $3.72 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) | $3.72 | $2.48 – $6.00 |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | $1.76 | $1.09 – $3.10 |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle) | $0.78 | $0.62 – $1.09 |
| Bottled Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.33 | $0.25 – $0.62 |
- Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant $2.02$1.55 – $3.10
- Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) $19$14 – $40
- Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) $6.98$5.28 – $8.53
- Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter) $2.48$1.55 – $3.72
- Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) $3.72$2.48 – $6.00
- Cappuccino (Regular Size) $1.76$1.09 – $3.10
- Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle) $0.78$0.62 – $1.09
- Bottled Water (0.33 Liter) $0.33$0.25 – $0.62
Salaries & Mortgages in Chiang-Mai
Average monthly net salary and mortgage interest rates.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | $633 | — |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 5.82% | — |
- Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) $633
- Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) 5.82%
Compare Chiang-Mai with…
Pick any city to see costs side by side.
Related cities
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Vietnam
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vs NYC
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Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to live in Chiang-Mai?
- An estimated $510 per month covers rent, food, utilities, and transport for one person in Chiang-Mai. A family of four needs around $1,410 per month, while students living shared accommodation manage on roughly $318.
- How much money do I need to live in Chiang-Mai?
- Plan for at least $510 per month as a single person, $1,410 per month for a family of four, or $318 per month as a student in shared accommodation. Add 15–25% on top for taxes, savings, and discretionary spending — that's the salary you should be targeting before relocating to Chiang-Mai.
- What is the average rent in Chiang-Mai?
- A one-bedroom apartment in Chiang-Mai rents for around $513 per month, with three-bedroom apartments in the city centre around $929 per month. Prices vary depending on neighbourhood, building age, and furnishings.
- What is the average salary in Chiang-Mai?
- The average monthly net salary in Chiang-Mai is around $633. Whether that's enough to live comfortably depends on housing choice — rent typically claims 81% of a single-person paycheck.
- How much does food cost in Chiang-Mai?
- A meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Chiang-Mai costs around $2.02. Cooking at home, a single person spends roughly $38 per month on groceries. Staples like milk ($1.94/L) and bread ($1.74/500g) are typical.
- What is public transport like in Chiang-Mai?
- A monthly public transport pass in Chiang-Mai costs around $56. Cities with extensive metro and bus networks generally let residents skip car ownership entirely, particularly when commuting from areas outside the city centre.
- Is the internet expensive in Chiang-Mai?
- Unlimited broadband at 60 Mbps or higher in Chiang-Mai costs around $19 per month — useful context for remote workers comparing locations.