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Chiang Mai vs Manila

Chiang Mai runs about 27% cheaper than Manila for this household, a difference of 259 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
Binondo skyline skyscrapers
Manila
$1,207/month · Philippines
Patrickroque01 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Chiang Mai monthly
$948
Index 15 (NYC = 100)
Manila monthly
$1,207
Index 19 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+27%
Manila relative to Chiang Mai
Rent gap
$120
Manila costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

Chiang MaiManila
  • Housing
    Housing: Chiang Mai $380, Manila $500. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Food
    Food: Chiang Mai $300, Manila $366. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Transport
    Transport: Chiang Mai $35, Manila $48. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Chiang Mai $91, Manila $121. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Chiang Mai $14, Manila $16. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Chiang Mai $87, Manila $104. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Other
    Other: Chiang Mai $42, Manila $52. 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 MaiManila
Cost
Total monthly cost948 USD✓1,207 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)15✓19
Housing380 USD✓500 USD
Utilities91 USD✓121 USD
Food300 USD✓366 USD
Transport35 USD✓48 USD
Healthcare14 USD✓16 USD
Lifestyle87 USD✓104 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,510 USD✓6,021 USD
Effective tax + social rate21.9%✓27.7%
Left over each month5,562 USD✓4,814 USD
Average local net salary600 USD✓450 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre380 USD✓500 USD
3-bed rent, city centre850 USD✓1,100 USD
Buy price per m², centre2,000 USD✓3,400 USD
Quality of life
Safety76/100✓46/100
Healthcare64/100✓58/100
Air quality28/10034/100✓
Public transport20/10030/100✓
Walkability52/100✓44/100
English proficiency38/10086/100✓
Nightlife72/10078/100✓
Family friendliness72/100✓60/100
Median broadband180 Mbps✓120 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature26°C✓28°C
Summer high36°C33°C✓
Winter low14°C23°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,600 h✓2,100 h
Annual rainfall1150 mm✓2000 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach accessNone nearby90 min✓
CurrencyTHBPHP
Time zoneAsia/BangkokAsia/Manila

Chiang Mai runs about 27% cheaper than Manila for this household, a difference of 259 USD a month.

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

Frequently asked

Is Chiang Mai or Manila cheaper?

Chiang Mai runs about 27% cheaper than Manila for this household, a difference of 259 USD a month.

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

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,510 a month in Chiang Mai and $6,021 in Manila, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

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

Chiang Mai scores 76/100 on safety and 64/100 on healthcare; Manila scores 46 and 58. Chiang Mai averages 26°C against 28°C in Manila.