Cost of Living in Chiang Mai vs Beijing

Cost of living in Chiang Mai is 11% lower than in Beijing (without rent).

Rent in Chiang Mai is 46% cheaper than in Beijing.

Cost of living including rent in Chiang Mai is 30% lower than in Beijing.

Food in Chiang Mai is very similar to Beijing.

Transport in Chiang Mai is 19% cheaper than in Beijing.

Chiang Mai vs. Beijing Comparision

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

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Chiang Mai Beijing

Restaurants

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

Markets

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

Transport

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

Personal Care

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

Utilities per Month

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

Rent per Month

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

Buy Apartment Price

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

Salaries and Financing

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

Sports and Leisure

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

Clothing and Shoes

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

Childcare

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