Chiang Mai Cost of Living: Monthly Costs Line by Line

A comfortable month in Chiang Mai is about THB 40,000 to 60,000. The newest rent figure is THB 12,000 to 20,000 for a one-bedroom in Nimman or the Old City, from an August 2026 press article. Basic utilities for an 85 m2 apartment run THB 2,100 per month, and an inexpensive restaurant meal is THB 75.

By Vincent Nguyen

Here is what a month in Chiang Mai costs, line by line. A comfortable month is about THB 40,000 to 60,000, and other published totals run from THB 18,100 excluding rent. Prices from Numbeo are crowd-sourced from 740 entries.

Rent in Chiang Mai

Rent is the largest line, and the sources spread widely. Each row below is a different kind of source.

Studios start from about THB 8,000.

The portal figures are older than the 2026 press range. Median rent for rental homes is THB 18,000. The average by condo size is THB 13,300 for a studio, THB 18,700 for a one-bedroom and THB 33,300 for two bedrooms.

Rent by area

For the lease side, see renting an apartment in Chiang Mai and where to live.

Electricity, internet and phone

The Provincial Electricity Authority publishes the residential tariff. A home using above 150 units a month falls under Type 1.1.2, with a THB 24.62 monthly service charge.

• Units 0-200: THB 3.0000 per unit.
• Units 201-400: THB 4.1584 per unit.
• Above 400 units: THB 4.3583 per unit.

A home using 150 units a month or less falls under Type 1.1.1, with a THB 8.19 monthly service charge. The first 15 units cost THB 2.3488 each, units 16-25 cost THB 2.9882 and units 26-200 cost THB 3.0000. These rates do not yet include the monthly service charge, the Ft charge and VAT.

A worked example shows the scale. Take three hundred units a month: the first two hundred units at THB 3.0000 plus the next hundred at THB 4.1584 plus the THB 24.62 service charge is THB 1,040. The Ft charge and VAT come on top, and the example is an added-up sum, not a PEA bill.

A normal condo runs THB 1,000 to 4,000 a month, toward the top with daily air conditioning in the hot season, March to May. Many condo buildings bill tenants THB 6 to 10 per unit and keep the difference, so ask the landlord which rate applies.

Basic utilities for an 85 m2 apartment run THB 2,100 per month, within a range of THB 1,300 to 3,825. Unlimited broadband of 60 Mbps or higher is THB 700 and a monthly mobile plan with 10 GB or more is THB 414.

A tourist SIM is the other phone route. A 30-day plan is 1,199 Baht on AIS and 1,199 THB including VAT on True. See SIM and eSIM in Chiang Mai.

Food and eating out

A meal at an inexpensive restaurant is THB 75, within a range of THB 50 to 150. A three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant, without drinks, is THB 650.

A regular cappuccino is THB 57. At the market, a dozen large eggs is THB 75, 1 kg of chicken fillets THB 93 and 1 kg of white rice THB 44. A monthly fitness club membership is THB 1,262.

These are modelled estimates, not a price survey.

Getting around

For fares and how to ride, see getting around Chiang Mai and the songthaew guide.

Health insurance

SafetyWing’s Essential nomad plan is US$63 per 4 weeks for ages 18-39. The price is in USD. Its Complete plan is US$178 per month for ages 18-39.

Visa rules set their own insurance minimum. The Oslo embassy asks O-A applicants for a policy of not less than 100,000 USD, or 3,000,000 Baht, including COVID-19 treatment for the whole stay. The long-term resident (LTR) rule asks for cover of at least USD 50,000.

Both SafetyWing prices are for ages 18-39. For ages 35 to 45, an international plan is THB 25,000 to 65,000 a year. A local Thai policy is THB 12,000 to 35,000 a year.

Budget policies written to satisfy visa rules can cost under THB 20,000 a year but usually carry deductibles above THB 200,000.

Check any policy against the wording of your visa before you pay. See Thailand visa types.

Visa, ATM and banking costs

The tourist extension of stay costs THB 1,900. A single re-entry permit costs THB 1,000 and a multiple one THB 3,800. The handbook behind them dates from 2019.

The same THB 1,900, THB 1,000 and THB 3,800 were on the Immigration fee page in 2024. The Washington embassy lists the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) fee as 400 USD, and the Taipei office lists 11,000 NTD in cash only.

Overstaying costs THB 500 per day, up to a maximum of THB 20,000 for overstays of 40 days or longer. Fees are in Thailand immigration fees and the overstay guide.

Foreign cards cost money at Thai ATMs. Kasikornbank charges THB 250 per transaction with a Visa or China UnionPay card. Krungsri charges THB 250 per transaction with Visa, UnionPay or JCB. Most banks have waived fees on digital payments such as mobile payment since 2018.

More budgets

The digital nomad budget adds a coworking desk, at THB 1,999 for lean and THB 4,000 for mid-range.

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Not confirmed: Rent: no 2026 listing-portal average could be fetched, so the 2026 figure is a press range; check live listings before you sign. Food: no official survey was found; prices come from crowd-sourced Numbeo data. Electricity: ask the landlord which per-unit rate applies.

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General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.

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