Skip to content

Chiang Mai vs Bangkok

Chiang Mai runs about 46% cheaper than Bangkok for this household, a difference of 435 USD a month.

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
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
Chiang Mai monthly
$948
Index 15 (NYC = 100)
Bangkok monthly
$1,383
Index 22 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+46%
Bangkok relative to Chiang Mai
Rent gap
$320
Bangkok costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

Chiang MaiBangkok
  • Housing
    Housing: Chiang Mai $380, Bangkok $700. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Food
    Food: Chiang Mai $300, Bangkok $355. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Transport
    Transport: Chiang Mai $35, Bangkok $46. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Chiang Mai $91, Bangkok $107. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Chiang Mai $14, Bangkok $16. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Chiang Mai $87, Bangkok $108. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Other
    Other: Chiang Mai $42, Bangkok $51. 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

MetricChiang MaiBangkok
Cost
Total monthly cost948 USD✓1,383 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)15✓22
Housing380 USD✓700 USD
Utilities91 USD✓107 USD
Food300 USD✓355 USD
Transport35 USD✓46 USD
Healthcare14 USD✓16 USD
Lifestyle87 USD✓108 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,510 USD6,510 USD
Effective tax + social rate21.9%21.9%
Left over each month5,562 USD✓5,126 USD
Average local net salary600 USD800 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre380 USD✓700 USD
3-bed rent, city centre850 USD✓1,500 USD
Buy price per m², centre2,000 USD✓4,200 USD
Quality of life
Safety76/100✓64/100
Healthcare64/10074/100✓
Air quality28/10042/100✓
Public transport20/10072/100✓
Walkability52/10066/100✓
English proficiency38/100✓34/100
Nightlife72/10092/100✓
Family friendliness72/100✓66/100
Median broadband180 Mbps230 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature26°C✓29°C
Summer high36°C35°C✓
Winter low14°C21°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,600 h2,600 h
Annual rainfall1150 mm✓1500 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach accessNone nearby90 min✓
CurrencyTHBTHB
Time zoneAsia/BangkokAsia/Bangkok

Chiang Mai runs about 46% cheaper than Bangkok for this household, a difference of 435 USD a month.

Next

Go deeper

Cost of living in Chiang MaiCost of living in BangkokConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Chiang Mai vs Kuala LumpurChiang Mai vs Ho Chi Minh CityChiang Mai vs Bali
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Chiang Mai or Bangkok cheaper?

Chiang Mai runs about 46% cheaper than Bangkok for this household, a difference of 435 USD a month.

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

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

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

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