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Chiang Mai vs Chennai

Chennai runs about 27% cheaper than Chiang Mai for this household, a difference of 253 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
Bird's-eye view of Chennai city from Chennai Lighthouse near Marina Beach
Chennai
$695/month · India
SlowPhoton · CC BY-SA 4.0
Chiang Mai monthly
$948
Index 15 (NYC = 100)
Chennai monthly
$695
Index 11 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-27%
Chennai relative to Chiang Mai
Rent gap
$80
Chiang Mai costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

Chiang MaiChennai
  • Housing
    Housing: Chiang Mai $380, Chennai $300. Cheaper in Chennai.
  • Food
    Food: Chiang Mai $300, Chennai $226. Cheaper in Chennai.
  • Transport
    Transport: Chiang Mai $35, Chennai $19. Cheaper in Chennai.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Chiang Mai $91, Chennai $57. Cheaper in Chennai.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Chiang Mai $14, Chennai $6.31. Cheaper in Chennai.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Chiang Mai $87, Chennai $58. Cheaper in Chennai.
  • Other
    Other: Chiang Mai $42, Chennai $29. Cheaper in Chennai.
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 MaiChennai
Cost
Total monthly cost948 USD695 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)1511✓
Housing380 USD300 USD✓
Utilities91 USD57 USD✓
Food300 USD226 USD✓
Transport35 USD19 USD✓
Healthcare14 USD6 USD✓
Lifestyle87 USD58 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,510 USD✓6,137 USD
Effective tax + social rate21.9%✓26.4%
Left over each month5,562 USD✓5,442 USD
Average local net salary600 USD✓470 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre380 USD300 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre850 USD750 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre2,000 USD✓2,100 USD
Quality of life
Safety76/100✓66/100
Healthcare64/10064/100
Air quality28/10028/100
Public transport20/10052/100✓
Walkability52/100✓46/100
English proficiency38/10074/100✓
Nightlife72/100✓66/100
Family friendliness72/100✓68/100
Median broadband180 Mbps✓85 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature26°C✓29°C
Summer high36°C✓37°C
Winter low14°C21°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,600 h2,700 h✓
Annual rainfall1150 mm✓1400 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYes✓No
Beach accessNone nearby25 min✓
CurrencyTHBINR
Time zoneAsia/BangkokAsia/Kolkata

Chennai runs about 27% cheaper than Chiang Mai for this household, a difference of 253 USD a month.

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Cost of living in Chiang MaiCost of living in ChennaiConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Chiang Mai or Chennai cheaper?

Chennai runs about 27% cheaper than Chiang Mai for this household, a difference of 253 USD a month.

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

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,510 a month in Chiang Mai and $6,137 in Chennai, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

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

Chiang Mai scores 76/100 on safety and 64/100 on healthcare; Chennai scores 66 and 64. Chiang Mai averages 26°C against 29°C in Chennai.