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Bali vs Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai runs about 29% cheaper than Bali for this household, a difference of 395 USD a month.

A Beautiful View of Kelingking Beach at Nusa penida
Bali
$1,344/month · Indonesia
Dini Rosyadah Tridya · CC BY-SA 4.0
View of Chiang Mai City, taken from the top of Doi Suthep Mountain. Image extracted (crop) from Supanut Arunoprayote's original panoramic file. Extracted and edited (crop) under the Creative Commons A
Chiang Mai
$948/month · Thailand
Supanut Arunoprayote · CC BY 4.0
Bali monthly
$1,344
Index 21 (NYC = 100)
Chiang Mai monthly
$948
Index 15 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-29%
Chiang Mai relative to Bali
Rent gap
$320
Bali costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

BaliChiang Mai
  • Housing
    Housing: Bali $700, Chiang Mai $380. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Food
    Food: Bali $344, Chiang Mai $300. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Transport
    Transport: Bali $44, Chiang Mai $35. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Bali $85, Chiang Mai $91. Cheaper in Bali.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Bali $14, Chiang Mai $14. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Bali $108, Chiang Mai $87. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Other
    Other: Bali $48, Chiang Mai $42. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricBaliChiang Mai
Cost
Total monthly cost1,344 USD948 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)2115✓
Housing700 USD380 USD✓
Utilities85 USD✓91 USD
Food344 USD300 USD✓
Transport44 USD35 USD✓
Healthcare14 USD14 USD✓
Lifestyle108 USD87 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,833 USD6,510 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate30.0%21.9%✓
Left over each month4,489 USD5,562 USD✓
Average local net salary400 USD600 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre700 USD380 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre1,500 USD850 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre2,600 USD2,000 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety66/10076/100✓
Healthcare54/10064/100✓
Air quality60/100✓28/100
Public transport15/10020/100✓
Walkability35/10052/100✓
English proficiency66/100✓38/100
Nightlife82/100✓72/100
Family friendliness68/10072/100✓
Median broadband60 Mbps180 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature27°C26°C✓
Summer high32°C✓36°C
Winter low23°C✓14°C
Sunshine hours per year2,600 h2,600 h
Annual rainfall1700 mm1150 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access10 min✓None nearby
CurrencyIDRTHB
Time zoneAsia/MakassarAsia/Bangkok

Chiang Mai runs about 29% cheaper than Bali for this household, a difference of 395 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in BaliCost of living in Chiang MaiConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Bali vs BangkokBali vs Kuala LumpurBali vs Ho Chi Minh City
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Bali or Chiang Mai cheaper?

Chiang Mai runs about 29% cheaper than Bali for this household, a difference of 395 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Chiang Mai compared with Bali?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,833 a month in Bali and $6,510 in Chiang Mai, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Bali or Chiang Mai?

Bali scores 66/100 on safety and 54/100 on healthcare; Chiang Mai scores 76 and 64. Bali averages 27°C against 26°C in Chiang Mai.