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Bangkok vs Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai runs about 31% cheaper than Bangkok for this household, a difference of 435 USD a month.

Chakra Maha Prasat Throne Hall Grand Palace Bangkok aerial photo by Don Ramey Logan
Bangkok
$1,383/month · Thailand
Don Ramey Logan · CC BY 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
Bangkok monthly
$1,383
Index 22 (NYC = 100)
Chiang Mai monthly
$948
Index 15 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-31%
Chiang Mai relative to Bangkok
Rent gap
$320
Bangkok costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

BangkokChiang Mai
  • Housing
    Housing: Bangkok $700, Chiang Mai $380. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Food
    Food: Bangkok $355, Chiang Mai $300. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Transport
    Transport: Bangkok $46, Chiang Mai $35. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Bangkok $107, Chiang Mai $91. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Bangkok $16, Chiang Mai $14. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Bangkok $108, Chiang Mai $87. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Other
    Other: Bangkok $51, 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

MetricBangkokChiang Mai
Cost
Total monthly cost1,383 USD948 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)2215✓
Housing700 USD380 USD✓
Utilities107 USD91 USD✓
Food355 USD300 USD✓
Transport46 USD35 USD✓
Healthcare16 USD14 USD✓
Lifestyle108 USD87 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,510 USD6,510 USD
Effective tax + social rate21.9%21.9%
Left over each month5,126 USD5,562 USD✓
Average local net salary800 USD✓600 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre700 USD380 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre1,500 USD850 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre4,200 USD2,000 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety64/10076/100✓
Healthcare74/100✓64/100
Air quality42/100✓28/100
Public transport72/100✓20/100
Walkability66/100✓52/100
English proficiency34/10038/100✓
Nightlife92/100✓72/100
Family friendliness66/10072/100✓
Median broadband230 Mbps✓180 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature29°C26°C✓
Summer high35°C✓36°C
Winter low21°C✓14°C
Sunshine hours per year2,600 h2,600 h
Annual rainfall1500 mm1150 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access90 min✓None nearby
CurrencyTHBTHB
Time zoneAsia/BangkokAsia/Bangkok

Chiang Mai runs about 31% cheaper than Bangkok for this household, a difference of 435 USD a month.

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Cost of living in BangkokCost of living in Chiang MaiConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Bangkok or Chiang Mai cheaper?

Chiang Mai runs about 31% cheaper than Bangkok for this household, a difference of 435 USD a month.

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

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

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

Bangkok scores 64/100 on safety and 74/100 on healthcare; Chiang Mai scores 76 and 64. Bangkok averages 29°C against 26°C in Chiang Mai.