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Kuala Lumpur vs Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai runs about 19% cheaper than Kuala Lumpur for this household, a difference of 223 USD a month.

The bright lights of Bukit Bintang.
Kuala Lumpur
$1,171/month · Malaysia
Will Simmonds from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, China · CC BY 2.0
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
Kuala Lumpur monthly
$1,171
Index 18 (NYC = 100)
Chiang Mai monthly
$948
Index 15 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-19%
Chiang Mai relative to Kuala Lumpur
Rent gap
$220
Kuala Lumpur costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

Kuala LumpurChiang Mai
  • Housing
    Housing: Kuala Lumpur $600, Chiang Mai $380. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Food
    Food: Kuala Lumpur $300, Chiang Mai $300. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Transport
    Transport: Kuala Lumpur $40, Chiang Mai $35. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Kuala Lumpur $86, Chiang Mai $91. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Kuala Lumpur $14, Chiang Mai $14. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Kuala Lumpur $90, Chiang Mai $87. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Other
    Other: Kuala Lumpur $42, 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

MetricKuala LumpurChiang Mai
Cost
Total monthly cost1,171 USD948 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)1815✓
Housing600 USD380 USD✓
Utilities86 USD✓91 USD
Food300 USD✓300 USD
Transport40 USD35 USD✓
Healthcare14 USD14 USD✓
Lifestyle90 USD87 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,698 USD6,510 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate31.6%21.9%✓
Left over each month4,527 USD5,562 USD✓
Average local net salary1,000 USD✓600 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre600 USD380 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre1,300 USD850 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre2,600 USD2,000 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety68/10076/100✓
Healthcare76/100✓64/100
Air quality50/100✓28/100
Public transport70/100✓20/100
Walkability58/100✓52/100
English proficiency84/100✓38/100
Nightlife72/10072/100
Family friendliness74/100✓72/100
Median broadband180 Mbps180 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature28°C26°C✓
Summer high33°C✓36°C
Winter low23°C✓14°C
Sunshine hours per year2,100 h2,600 h✓
Annual rainfall2500 mm1150 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access60 min✓None nearby
CurrencyMYRTHB
Time zoneAsia/Kuala_LumpurAsia/Bangkok

Chiang Mai runs about 19% cheaper than Kuala Lumpur for this household, a difference of 223 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in Kuala LumpurCost of living in Chiang MaiConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Kuala Lumpur vs BaliKuala Lumpur vs Ho Chi Minh CityKuala Lumpur vs Bangkok
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Kuala Lumpur or Chiang Mai cheaper?

Chiang Mai runs about 19% cheaper than Kuala Lumpur for this household, a difference of 223 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Chiang Mai compared with Kuala Lumpur?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,698 a month in Kuala Lumpur and $6,510 in Chiang Mai, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Kuala Lumpur or Chiang Mai?

Kuala Lumpur scores 68/100 on safety and 76/100 on healthcare; Chiang Mai scores 76 and 64. Kuala Lumpur averages 28°C against 26°C in Chiang Mai.