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Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Medellin is 18% cheaper than Chiang Mai
| Lifestyle | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $400/mo | $450/mo | +13% |
| Moderate | $550/mo | $650/mo | +18% |
| Comfortable | $850/mo | $1,000/mo | +18% |
Estimates for a single person. Based on World Bank PPP data and national statistics.
| Category | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $400/mo | $550/mo | +38% |
| Groceries & Food | $110/mo | $130/mo | +18% |
| Dining Out | $40/mo | $80/mo | +100% |
| Transport | $25/mo | $28/mo | +12% |
| Utilities & Internet | $55/mo | $65/mo | +18% |
| Healthcare | $44/mo | $52/mo | +18% |
| Leisure & Personal | $39/mo | $46/mo | +18% |
Sources: NSO (Thailand), World Bank / DANE (Colombia), World Bank. Updated Jan 2026.
| Item | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loaf of bread (500g) | $1 | $1 | -23% |
| Milk (1 liter) | $2 | $1 | -43% |
| Eggs (12) | $2 | $2 | +6% |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $3 | $3 | +11% |
| Rice (1 kg) | $1 | $1 | -11% |
| Apples (1 kg) | $4 | $3 | -34% |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $2 | $1 | -41% |
| Item | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Street food meal | $1 | $4 | +157% |
| Mid-range restaurant (2 people) | $20 | $5 | -74% |
| Fast food combo meal | $5 | $2 | -62% |
| Cappuccino | $2 | $2 | -10% |
| Beer (0.5L, restaurant) | $3 | $1 | -68% |
| Beer (0.5L, store) | $1 | $1 | -8% |
| Item | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, center | $300 | $550 | +83% |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside | $200 | $300 | +50% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, center | $650 | $1,000 | +54% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, outside | $400 | $550 | +38% |
| Item | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit (songthaew) | $20 | $22 | +10% |
| Scooter rental (monthly) | $85 | $1 | -99% |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $1 | $0 | -68% |
| Item | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, water, garbage (85m²) | $70 | $65 | -7% |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | $18 | $20 | +11% |
| Mobile plan (10GB+) | $10 | $10 | 0% |
| Item | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pair of jeans (Levi's) | $48 | $45 | -6% |
| Running shoes (Nike/Adidas) | $75 | $65 | -13% |
| Item | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (monthly) | $28 | $25 | -11% |
| Cinema ticket | $5 | $4 | -20% |
| Item | 🇹🇠Chiang Mai | 🇨🇴 Medellin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut (men) | $4 | $5 | +14% |
Explore more: Chiang Mai city guide | Medellin city guide | Thailand | Colombia