Cost of Living in Chiang Mai
Northern Thailand
A calculator rather than a price list. The figures already filled in are a starting point for a budget, dated when they were entered, not a researched price index — Thai prices vary a lot by district, season and whether you shop where tourists shop. Change any of them to what you are actually being quoted and the monthly total follows, in your own currency.
Step 1 of 3City and profile
Profile
Living in Thailand day-to-day, renting an apartment. Quantities below are a starting point — edit anything. Planning a holiday rather than a move? Use the trip planner.
Step 2 of 3Your spending
Groceries
Restaurants & Cafes
Transport
Utilities & Internet
Rent
Health & Insurance
Attractions & Travel
Other (your own)
Step 3 of 3Your result
Monthly total — Chiang Mai
0 THB
Where the money goes
Enter how much of each item you use above, and the split by category appears here.
Compare all 3 cities
Same quantities, each city's own prices (where available).
Setting up in Chiang Mai
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission if you book through these, at no extra cost to you.
- SafetyWing Nomad InsuranceTravel and health insurance for digital nomads and remote workers, covering long stays in Thailand.
- SafetyWing Nomad Insurance CompleteSafetyWing's higher-coverage plan, with extended medical and home-country coverage options.
- WiseSend money to Thailand at the real exchange rate, or hold baht in a multi-currency account.
- AiraloeSIM data plans for Thailand, activated before you land — no physical SIM swap needed.
- AgodaSomewhere to stay in Chiang Mai for the first weeks, while you look for a longer let.
Also useful
- Trip plannerroute, bookings and budget for the whole trip, stop by stop
- Visa cost calculatorwhich visa fits your stay, and what it costs over a year
- Opening a Thai bank accountwhich visas the banks accept, and what to bring
- 90-day reports and TM30the address reports every long-stay visa comes with
FAQ
Where do the prices come from?
They are compiled by the site owner and dated when they were entered — a starting point for a budget rather than a researched price index, since Thai prices vary a lot by district and season. A few items are deliberately left blank and marked "Yours to set": scooter and car hire, accommodation, health insurance, pharmacy, day trips and flights all depend on what you choose, so no average would be honest.
Why is every quantity 0 by default?
This is a blank form, not a pre-filled guess at your lifestyle — enter how much of each item you actually use so the total reflects you, not an assumption.
What's the difference between the two profiles?
Long-term resident is for living here day to day and renting; Retiree is for being settled here, where health costs weigh more. Neither pre-fills any numbers — every quantity is yours to fill in. Planning a holiday rather than a move? The trip planner is built for that.
Can I compare cities?
Yes — the chart and cards at the bottom show your same quantities priced against each city's own data, side by side.
