Cost of Living in Chiang Mai vs Thimphu

Cost of living in Chiang Mai is 59% higher than in Thimphu (without rent).

Rent in Chiang Mai is 162% more expensive than in Thimphu.

Cost of living including rent in Chiang Mai is 92% higher than in Thimphu.

Food in Chiang Mai is 43% more expensive than in Thimphu.

Transport in Chiang Mai is 179% more expensive than in Thimphu.

Chiang Mai vs. Thimphu Comparision

Chiang Mai Thimphu
Cost of Living, including rent
742 $
387 $
Without Rent
422 $
265 $
Rent & Utilities
320 $
122 $
Food
253 $
177 $
Transport
91 $
33 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
627 $
570 $
Quality of Life
63
50
Population
1.2M
115.0K

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Chiang Mai Thimphu

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
1.85 $ 2.99 $
Dinner, for 2 19.8 $ 16.2 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 7.71 $ 3 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.29 $ 6.45 $
Capuccino 1.84 $ 1.54 $
Coke, 330ml 0.65 $ 0.56 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.74 $ 0.85 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 1.61 $ 0.97 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.25 $ 0.74 $
Eggs, 12 pack 2.16 $ 2.25 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 14.9 $ 3.43 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.87 $ 3.93 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 11.4 $ 4.33 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.97 $ 2.39 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.23 $ 1.47 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.59 $ 1.82 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.46 $ 0.51 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.29 $ 0.57 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.36 $ 0.22 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 1.38 $ 1.07 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 18.3 $ 3.55 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 1.91 $ 0.73 $
Cigarette pack 4.58 $ 3.92 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 0.93 $ 1.52 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 24.5 $ 4 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 1.24 $ 1.04 $
Taxi, 8 km 12.3 $ 15.4 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 18.9 $ 29.9 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 1.34 $ 1.64 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 3.19 $ 3.7 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 1.3 $ 1.27 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 2.11 $ 0.66 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
36.8 $ 13.9 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
56.6 $ 21.3 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
19.7 $ 32.3 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 232 $ 65.3 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 458 $ 161 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 388 $ 119 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 854 $ 222 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 2,266 $ 625 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 1,540 $ 869 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 627 $ 570 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 5.13 % 9.56 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 40.5 $ 49.6 $
Cinema, 1 seat 6.08 $ 3.6 $
Haircut 4.76 $ 3.33 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 85.4 $ 32.8 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 59.2 $ 33.2 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 488 $ 251 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 13,977 $ 691 $