Cost of living in Chiang Mai (Thailand) is 27% cheaper than in Bangkok (Thailand)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 277 prices entered by 44 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 8% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Chiang Mai (Thailand) is 8% cheaper than in Bangkok (Thailand) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chiang Mai | Bangkok | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 161 ฿ | 195 ฿ | - 17% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 224 ฿ | 161 ฿ | + 39% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 47 ฿ | 64 ฿ | - 27% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 61 ฿ | 64 ฿ | - 5% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 79 ฿ | 82 ฿ | - 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 40 ฿ | 83 ฿ | - 52% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 346 ฿ | 294 ฿ | + 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 104 ฿ | 79 ฿ | + 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 43 ฿ | 53 ฿ | - 18% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 56 ฿ | 59 ฿ | - 5% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 659 ฿ | 800 ฿ | - 18% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 45 ฿ | 42 ฿ | + 8% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 53 ฿ | 56 ฿ | - 5% | |
| Housing | - 52% | |||
| Housing in Chiang Mai (Thailand) is 52% cheaper than in Bangkok (Thailand) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chiang Mai | Bangkok | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 22,911 ฿ | 60,831 ฿ | - 62% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 14,958 ฿ | 27,321 ฿ | - 45% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 1,731 ฿ | 4,955 ฿ | - 65% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 12,995 ฿ | 26,744 ฿ | - 51% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 7,621 ฿ | 13,569 ฿ | - 44% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 960 ฿ | 1,849 ฿ | - 48% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 376 ฿ | 395 ฿ | - 5% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 10,469 ฿ | 8,599 ฿ | + 22% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 1,542 ฿ | 2,476 ฿ | - 38% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 162 ฿ | 181 ฿ | - 10% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 188 ฿ | 300 ฿ | - 38% | |
| Clothes | - 6% | |||
| Clothes in Chiang Mai (Thailand) is 6% cheaper than in Bangkok (Thailand) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chiang Mai | Bangkok | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 1,967 ฿ | 1,997 ฿ | - 2% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 1,108 ฿ | 1,283 ฿ | - 14% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 2,896 ฿ | 2,402 ฿ | + 21% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 2,323 ฿ | 2,860 ฿ | - 19% | |
| Transportation | - 11% | |||
| Transportation in Chiang Mai (Thailand) is 11% cheaper than in Bangkok (Thailand) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chiang Mai | Bangkok | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 1,119,010 ฿ | 881,128 ฿ | + 27% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 37 ฿ | 37 ฿ | + 0% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 1,057 ฿ | 1,650 ฿ | - 36% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | 539 ฿ | 212 ฿ | + 154% | |
| Personal Care | - 40% | |||
| Personal Care in Chiang Mai (Thailand) is 40% cheaper than in Bangkok (Thailand) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chiang Mai | Bangkok | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 35 ฿ | 71 ฿ | - 51% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 175 ฿ | 284 ฿ | - 38% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 629 ฿ | 1,338 ฿ | - 53% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 110 ฿ | 117 ฿ | - 6% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 71 ฿ | 107 ฿ | - 33% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 112 ฿ | 155 ฿ | - 28% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 42 ฿ | 65 ฿ | - 35% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 49 ฿ | 68 ฿ | - 28% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 189 ฿ | 434 ฿ | - 56% | |
| Entertainment | - 41% | |||
| Entertainment in Chiang Mai (Thailand) is 41% cheaper than in Bangkok (Thailand) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chiang Mai | Bangkok | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 564 ฿ | 824 ฿ | - 32% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 287 ฿ | 437 ฿ | - 34% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 825 ฿ | 2,116 ฿ | - 61% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 1,034 ฿ | 2,297 ฿ | - 55% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 145 ฿ | 365 ฿ | - 60% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 63 ฿ | 107 ฿ | - 41% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 78 ฿ | 127 ฿ | - 39% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 17,989 ฿ | 25,369 ฿ | - 29% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 1.15 ฿ | 3.19 ฿ | - 64% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 1,272 ฿ | 1,881 ฿ | - 32% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 134 ฿ | 137 ฿ | - 2% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 27% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 277 prices entered by 44 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 18, 2025.
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require 193,000 ฿ in Bangkok you would need to make just about 140,842 ฿ in Chiang Mai.
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