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London vs Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai runs about 77% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 3,102 USD a month.

Palace of Westminster, Big Ben, and Westminster Bridge as seen from the south bank of the River Thames.
London
$4,050/month · United Kingdom
Terry Ott from Washington, DC Metro Area, United States of America · 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
London monthly
$4,050
Index 63 (NYC = 100)
Chiang Mai monthly
$948
Index 15 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-77%
Chiang Mai relative to London
Rent gap
$2,220
London costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

LondonChiang Mai
  • Housing
    Housing: London $2,600, Chiang Mai $380. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Food
    Food: London $617, Chiang Mai $300. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Transport
    Transport: London $282, Chiang Mai $35. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: London $267, Chiang Mai $91. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: London $8.03, Chiang Mai $14. Cheaper in London.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: London $169, Chiang Mai $87. Cheaper in Chiang Mai.
  • Other
    Other: London $107, 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

MetricLondonChiang Mai
Cost
Total monthly cost4,050 USD948 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)6315✓
Housing2,600 USD380 USD✓
Utilities267 USD91 USD✓
Food617 USD300 USD✓
Transport282 USD35 USD✓
Healthcare8 USD✓14 USD
Lifestyle169 USD87 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,953 USD6,510 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate28.6%21.9%✓
Left over each month1,902 USD5,562 USD✓
Average local net salary3,600 USD✓600 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,600 USD380 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre5,200 USD850 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre15,000 USD2,000 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety66/10076/100✓
Healthcare84/100✓64/100
Air quality60/100✓28/100
Public transport92/100✓20/100
Walkability90/100✓52/100
English proficiency100/100✓38/100
Nightlife94/100✓72/100
Family friendliness72/10072/100
Median broadband90 Mbps180 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature12°C✓26°C
Summer high23°C✓36°C
Winter low3°C14°C✓
Sunshine hours per year1,480 h2,600 h✓
Annual rainfall600 mm✓1150 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoYes✓
Beach access90 min✓None nearby
CurrencyGBPTHB
Time zoneEurope/LondonAsia/Bangkok

Chiang Mai runs about 77% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 3,102 USD a month.

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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is London or Chiang Mai cheaper?

Chiang Mai runs about 77% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 3,102 USD a month.

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

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,953 a month in London and $6,510 in Chiang Mai, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

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

London scores 66/100 on safety and 84/100 on healthcare; Chiang Mai scores 76 and 64. London averages 12°C against 26°C in Chiang Mai.