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Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Bangkok is 39% cheaper than Chiang Mai
| Lifestyle | 🇹🇠Bangkok | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $650/mo | $400/mo | -38% |
| Moderate | $900/mo | $550/mo | -39% |
| Comfortable | $1,350/mo | $850/mo | -37% |
Estimates for a single person. Based on World Bank PPP data and national statistics.
| Category | 🇹🇠Bangkok | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $500/mo | $400/mo | -20% |
| Groceries & Food | $180/mo | $110/mo | -39% |
| Dining Out | $60/mo | $40/mo | -33% |
| Transport | $32/mo | $25/mo | -22% |
| Utilities & Internet | $90/mo | $55/mo | -39% |
| Healthcare | $72/mo | $44/mo | -39% |
| Leisure & Personal | $63/mo | $39/mo | -38% |
Sources: NSO (Thailand), World Bank / NSO (Thailand), World Bank. Updated Jan 2026.
| Item | 🇹🇠Bangkok | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loaf of bread (500g) | $2 | $1 | -13% |
| Milk (1 liter) | $2 | $2 | -6% |
| Eggs (12) | $2 | $2 | -11% |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $3 | $3 | -18% |
| Rice (1 kg) | $1 | $1 | -18% |
| Apples (1 kg) | $4 | $4 | -10% |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $2 | $2 | -15% |
| Item | 🇹🇠Bangkok | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Street food meal | $2 | $1 | -18% |
| Mid-range restaurant (2 people) | $28 | $20 | -29% |
| Fast food combo meal | $5 | $5 | -6% |
| Cappuccino | $3 | $2 | -16% |
| Beer (0.5L, restaurant) | $3 | $3 | -26% |
| Beer (0.5L, store) | $2 | $1 | -13% |
| Item | 🇹🇠Bangkok | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, center | $550 | $300 | -45% |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside | $320 | $200 | -38% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, center | $1,100 | $650 | -41% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, outside | $600 | $400 | -33% |
| Item | 🇹🇠Bangkok | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit pass (BTS/MRT) | $38 | $20 | -47% |
| Taxi start | $1 | $85 | +8400% |
| Taxi per km | $0 | $1 | +547% |
| Item | 🇹🇠Bangkok | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, water, garbage (85m²) | $100 | $70 | -30% |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | $20 | $18 | -10% |
| Mobile plan (10GB+) | $12 | $10 | -17% |
| Item | 🇹🇠Bangkok | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pair of jeans (Levi's) | $55 | $48 | -13% |
| Summer dress (Zara/H&M) | $28 | $75 | +168% |
| Item | 🇹🇠Bangkok | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (monthly) | $35 | $28 | -20% |
| Cinema ticket | $6 | $5 | -20% |
| Item | 🇹🇠Bangkok | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut (men) | $6 | $4 | -25% |
Explore more: Bangkok city guide | Chiang Mai city guide | Thailand