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Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Buenos Aires is 36% cheaper than Chiang Mai
| Lifestyle | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $400/mo | $550/mo | +38% |
| Moderate | $550/mo | $750/mo | +36% |
| Comfortable | $850/mo | $1,150/mo | +35% |
Estimates for a single person. Based on World Bank PPP data and national statistics.
| Category | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $400/mo | $500/mo | +25% |
| Groceries & Food | $110/mo | $150/mo | +36% |
| Dining Out | $40/mo | $100/mo | +150% |
| Transport | $25/mo | $12/mo | -52% |
| Utilities & Internet | $55/mo | $75/mo | +36% |
| Healthcare | $44/mo | $60/mo | +36% |
| Leisure & Personal | $39/mo | $53/mo | +36% |
Sources: NSO (Thailand), World Bank / INDEC (Argentina), World Bank. Updated Jan 2026.
| Item | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loaf of bread (500g) | $1 | $1 | -31% |
| Milk (1 liter) | $2 | $1 | -40% |
| Eggs (12) | $2 | $2 | +12% |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $3 | $3 | +18% |
| Rice (1 kg) | $1 | $1 | 0% |
| Apples (1 kg) | $4 | $2 | -55% |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $2 | $1 | -24% |
| Item | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Street food meal | $1 | $1 | -43% |
| Mid-range restaurant (2 people) | $20 | $1 | -95% |
| Fast food combo meal | $5 | $6 | +24% |
| Cappuccino | $2 | $2 | +5% |
| Beer (0.5L, restaurant) | $3 | $3 | +12% |
| Beer (0.5L, store) | $1 | $1 | -15% |
| Item | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, center | $300 | $500 | +67% |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside | $200 | $320 | +60% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, center | $650 | $950 | +46% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, outside | $400 | $550 | +38% |
| Item | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit (songthaew) | $20 | $8 | -60% |
| Scooter rental (monthly) | $85 | $1 | -99% |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $1 | $0 | -73% |
| Item | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, water, garbage (85m²) | $70 | $35 | -50% |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | $18 | $18 | 0% |
| Mobile plan (10GB+) | $10 | $6 | -40% |
| Item | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pair of jeans (Levi's) | $48 | $50 | +4% |
| Running shoes (Nike/Adidas) | $75 | $75 | 0% |
| Item | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (monthly) | $28 | $22 | -21% |
| Cinema ticket | $5 | $4 | -2% |
| Item | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | 🇦🇷 Buenos Aires | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut (men) | $4 | $6 | +31% |
Explore more: Chiang Mai city guide | Buenos Aires city guide | Thailand | Argentina