Cost of Living in Beijing vs Chiang Mai

Cost of living in Beijing is 12% higher than in Chiang Mai (without rent).

Rent in Beijing is 86% more expensive than in Chiang Mai.

Cost of living including rent in Beijing is 44% higher than in Chiang Mai.

Food in Beijing is very similar to Chiang Mai.

Transport in Beijing is 23% more expensive than in Chiang Mai.

Beijing vs. Chiang Mai Comparision

Beijing Chiang Mai
Cost of Living, including rent
1,067 $
742 $
Without Rent
472 $
422 $
Rent & Utilities
596 $
320 $
Food
258 $
253 $
Transport
112 $
91 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
1,802 $
627 $
Quality of Life
77
63
Population
21.9M
1.2M

Compare other cities?

Beijing Chiang Mai

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
4.04 $ 1.85 $
Dinner, for 2 30.4 $ 19.8 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 5.94 $ 7.71 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 1.25 $ 2.29 $
Capuccino 3.75 $ 1.84 $
Coke, 330ml 0.53 $ 0.65 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.94 $ 1.74 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 1.44 $ 1.61 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.29 $ 1.25 $
Eggs, 12 pack 1.91 $ 2.16 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 15.6 $ 14.9 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.37 $ 2.87 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 10.6 $ 11.4 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.08 $ 2.97 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.59 $ 1.23 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.96 $ 1.59 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 0.84 $ 1.46 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.09 $ 1.29 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.36 $ 0.36 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 1.38 $ 1.38 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 9.28 $ 18.3 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 0.91 $ 1.91 $
Cigarette pack 3.57 $ 4.58 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 0.71 $ 0.93 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 37.3 $ 24.5 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 1.2 $ 1.24 $
Taxi, 8 km 5.07 $ 12.3 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 34.9 $ 18.9 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 4.63 $ 1.34 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 3.6 $ 3.19 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 1.37 $ 1.3 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 2.02 $ 2.11 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
34.1 $ 36.8 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
53.1 $ 56.6 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
13.1 $ 19.7 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 473 $ 232 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 1,079 $ 458 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 851 $ 388 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 2,126 $ 854 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 14,636 $ 2,266 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 7,425 $ 1,540 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 1,802 $ 627 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 4.04 % 5.13 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 61.6 $ 40.5 $
Cinema, 1 seat 8.51 $ 6.08 $
Haircut 9.52 $ 4.76 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 85.6 $ 85.4 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 63.8 $ 59.2 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 782 $ 488 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 23,714 $ 13,977 $