Cost Of Living in Chiang Mai 2024
Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Chiang Mai
Whether you're living in Chiang Mai or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.
Average Monthly Expenditure99,000 THB
per month$2,8007,600 THB $210
$28,000 990,000 THB
Single69,000 THB
per month$1,90023,000 THB $640
$13,000 460,000 THB
Couple110,000 THB
per month$3,20038,000 THB $1,100
$17,000 610,000 THB
Family150,000 THB
per month$4,30053,000 THB $1,500
$23,000 840,000 THB
Student48,000 THB
per month$1,30019,000 THB $530
$2,400 86,000 THB
The figures displayed here are inclusive of everything: housing, travel, groceries, healthcare, etc.
Singles
The average monthly expense for a single person living in Chiang Mai is 69,000 THB. Expenses can range from 23,000 THB at the minimum level to 460,000 THB at the highest end.
Couples
The average monthly spending of couples in Chiang Mai is 110,000 THB. Expenditure can range from 38,000 THB to 610,000 THB per month.
Families
The average cost of living for families in Chiang Mai is 150,000 THB per month. Families spend anywhere from 53,000 THB to 840,000 THB.
Students
The average monthly expenditure for students in Chiang Mai is 48,000 THB. Students spend from 19,000 THB to 86,000 THB per month.
Spending behavior can change drastically from one person to another. It is best to consider the minimum, average, and maximum spending together.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Chiang Mai
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Large bottle of water
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one | 340 THB | 520 THB | 1,000 THB |
Fine dining meal for one | 690 THB | 1,000 THB | 4,100 THB |
Soda or Soft Drink
Cappuccino or latte Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
Loaf of bread
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Beef 1 kg or 1 lb
Rice 1 kg or 1 lb
Tomato 1 kg or 1 lb
Apples 1 kg or 1 lb Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank | 500 THB | 670 THB | 1,300 THB |
Average car 1-day rental | 530 THB | 710 THB | 1,100 THB |
Average car price | 250,000 THB | 500,000 THB | 670,000 THB |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service | 710 THB | 1,100 THB | 2,100 THB |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Individual | 1,400 THB | 4,100 THB | 27,000 THB |
Utility Bill - Couple | 1,900 THB | 5,700 THB | 30,000 THB |
Utility Bill - Family | 1,600 THB | 4,600 THB | 25,000 THB |
Internet and cable | 500 THB | 1,000 THB | 1,300 THB |
Mobile phone charges | 400 THB | 670 THB | 2,000 THB |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership | 850 THB | 1,100 THB | 2,100 THB |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants | 620 THB | 880 THB | 1,300 THB |
Woman dress | 590 THB | 810 THB | 2,600 THB |
Woman shoes | 560 THB | 760 THB | 1,800 THB |
Men's shoes | 480 THB | 590 THB | 1,200 THB |
Men suit | 530 THB | 660 THB | 3,500 THB |
Regular t-shirt | 260 THB | 350 THB | 1,100 THB |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment | 8,800 THB | 13,000 THB | 35,000 THB |
1-bedroom apartment | 13,000 THB | 21,000 THB | 53,000 THB |
2-bedroom apartment | 18,000 THB | 26,000 THB | 71,000 THB |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment | 1.8M THB | 2.6M THB | 5.3M THB |
1-bedroom apartment | 2.1M THB | 3.5M THB | 13M THB |
2-bedroom apartment | $98,000 | $300,000 | $590,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed | 10,000 THB | 13,000 THB | 17,000 THB |
Double Bed | 6,700 THB | 10,000 THB | 13,000 THB |
Single Bed | 5,900 THB | 7,800 THB | 10,000 THB |
Living Room | 11,000 THB | 14,000 THB | 50,000 THB |
Dining Table | 5,000 THB | 6,700 THB | 13,000 THB |
Sofa or Couch | 6,700 THB | 9,200 THB | 20,000 THB |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set | 6,700 THB | 10,000 THB | 20,000 THB |
Fridge or Freezer | 5,900 THB | 9,200 THB | 13,000 THB |
Washing Machine | 7,800 THB | 11,000 THB | 20,000 THB |
Stove or Cooker | 7,200 THB | 9,200 THB | 13,000 THB |
Mobile Phone | 8,400 THB | 10,000 THB | 14,000 THB |
Laptop or Computer | 9,200 THB | 11,000 THB | 20,000 THB |
Expenditure to Income Ratio in Chiang Mai
One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in.
Spending to Income Ratio
90%
80% to 100%
( expenditure / income ) x 100
Expense to income distribution levels
| Spending To Income Ratio | % People |
|---|
| < 50% | 6% |
| 50% - 60% | 11% |
| 60% - 70% | 18% |
| 70% - 80% | 26% |
| 80% - 90% | 16% |
| 90% - 100% | 9% |
| 100% - 110% | 5% |
| 110% - 120% | 3% |
| 120% - 130% | 2% |
| 130% - 140% | 2% |
| > 140% | 1% |
Interpretation and Analysis
The average spending-to-salary ratio in Chiang Mai is 90%
This means that on average, people spend around 90% of their income for living.
According to the distribution table, 18% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.
How can spending be more than income?
A value higher than 100% means that the expenditure of those people is higher than their income. They are spending more than what they earn. This is possible in two scenarios. They are either borrowing from their savings to survive or they are borrowing from other sources (relatives, friends, banks, etc.). More about this in the debt section.
Individual
81%
Spending-Income-Ratio
72%
90%
Couple
86%
Spending-Income-Ratio
76%
95%
Family
95%
Spending-Income-Ratio
84%
100%
How do people spend their money in Chiang Mai?
We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.
The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.
Housing Expenditure27%
27% of total expenses on average (16% to 35%)
| LOW | $64 2,300 THB |
| AVERAGE | $830 30,000 THB |
| HIGH | $8,300 300,000 THB |
| Per Month |
People living in Chiang Mai typically spend from 16% to 35% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 27% being the average. The average spend on housing is 30,000 THB with expenditure ranging from 2,300 THB to 300,000 THB. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.
Utilities, Electricity, Water6%
6% of total expenses on average (3% to 10%)
| LOW | $11 380 THB |
| AVERAGE | $140 5,000 THB |
| HIGH | $1,400 50,000 THB |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Chiang Mai ranges from 3% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 5,000 THB with 380 THB and 50,000 THB being the upper and lower limits.
Transport, Fuel, Commute8%
8% of total expenses on average (4% to 12%)
| LOW | $21 760 THB |
| AVERAGE | $280 9,900 THB |
| HIGH | $2,800 99,000 THB |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 760 THB to 99,000 THB on commuting with 9,900 THB being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 8% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 12%.
Food and Groceries Cost27%
27% of total expenses on average (19% to 33%)
| LOW | $53 1,900 THB |
| AVERAGE | $690 25,000 THB |
| HIGH | $6,900 250,000 THB |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries in a month in Chiang Mai is 25,000 THB. The cost of groceries can range between 1,900 THB to 250,000 THB. People spend on average about 27% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 19% and 33% respectively.
Healthcare and Medical Services9%
9% of total expenses on average (4% to 12%)
| LOW | $15 530 THB |
| AVERAGE | $190 6,900 THB |
| HIGH | $1,900 69,000 THB |
| Per Month |
People in Chiang Mai allocate 4% to 12% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 530 THB to 69,000 THB with 6,900 THB being the norm.
Leisure and Shopping6%
6% of total expenses on average (3% to 10%)
| LOW | $8.5 300 THB |
| AVERAGE | $110 4,000 THB |
| HIGH | $1,100 40,000 THB |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 300 THB to 40,000 THB with 4,000 THB being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 3% to 10% of total expenses with an average of 6% for most residents.
Education and Schooling6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 12%)
| LOW | $13 460 THB |
| AVERAGE | $170 5,900 THB |
| HIGH | $1,700 59,000 THB |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 6% of the monthly expenditure with 4% and 12% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 5,900 THB per month with 460 THB being the minimum spent amount and 59,000 THB being the maximum.
Other Expenses12%
12% of total expenses on average (7% to 19%)
| LOW | $28 990 THB |
| AVERAGE | $360 13,000 THB |
| HIGH | $3,600 130,000 THB |
| Per Month |
How much money can you save in Chiang Mai every month?
We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.
What percentage of people in Chiang Mai manage to save money from their income every month?
Almost 74% of the surveyed people in Chiang Mai said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 26% said that aren't saving anything.
Percentage of people saving money by population group in Chiang Mai
| Group | Savers | Non Savers |
|---|
| Singles | 77% | 24% |
| Couples | 71% | 29% |
| Families | 66% | 34% |
Savings-to-Income Ratio
The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
3,000 THB
$83 | 39,000 THB
$1,100 | 390,000 THB
$11,000 |
For most people, 12% to 34% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 21% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 39,000 THB on average with savings ranging from 3,000 THB to 390,000 THB.
77% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 71% of couples said the same. 66% of families confirmed their ability to save money.
How much money do people actually save in Chiang Mai?
The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.
Singles
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
8,900 THB
$250 | 27,000 THB
$740 | 180,000 THB
$5,000 |
Savings to income distribution levels for singles
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Singles |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 29% |
| 10% - 20% | 23% |
| 20% - 30% | 16% |
| 30% - 40% | 16% |
| 40% - 50% | 12% |
| > 50% | 4% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 15% to 36% of their monthly income to savings, with 25% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 27,000 THB with 8,900 THB and 180,000 THB being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Couples
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
15,000 THB
$410 | 44,000 THB
$1,200 | 240,000 THB
$6,600 |
Savings to income distribution levels for couples
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Couples |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 33% |
| 10% - 20% | 25% |
| 20% - 30% | 19% |
| 30% - 40% | 11% |
| 40% - 50% | 9% |
| > 50% | 3% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 13% to 35% of their monthly income, with 23% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 44,000 THB with 15,000 THB and 240,000 THB being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Families
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
21,000 THB
$580 | 59,000 THB
$1,700 | 330,000 THB
$9,100 |
Savings to income distribution levels for families
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Families |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 36% |
| 10% - 20% | 28% |
| 20% - 30% | 20% |
| 30% - 40% | 8% |
| 40% - 50% | 6% |
| > 50% | 2% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Families in Chiang Mai can save anywhere between 12% to 32% of their monthly income, with 20% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 59,000 THB with 21,000 THB and 330,000 THB being the minimum and maximum respectively.
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Chiang Mai
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Chiang Mai?
Around 80% of surveyed residents think that living in Chiang Mai is affordable with proper budgeting while 20% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Chiang Mai
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked residents how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options66%
Few low-cost options34%
Based on the survey, 66% of the people living in Chiang Mai have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 34% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked residents of Chiang Mai whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes79%
No21%
Based on the survey, 21% of the people living in Chiang Mai said that they don't have an emergency fund while 79% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Thailand
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy69%
We asked residents of Thailand whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 31% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 69% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether residents of Thailand have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so asked the people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 25% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 75% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance25%
Easily manages finances75%
Financial goals of people in Chiang Mai
In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Chiang Mai, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.
| Financial Goal | % People |
|---|
| Emergency Fund | 7% |
| Debt Reduction | 33% |
| Retirement Savings | 8% |
| Education Funding | 8% |
| Homeownership | 17% |
| Investing | 9% |
| Travel or Lifestyle | 11% |
| Healthcare Expenses | 9% |
| Financial Independence | 8% |
Around 7% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 33% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 8% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 8% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 17% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 9% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 11% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 9% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.
Saving Challenges in Chiang Mai
Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money
We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Chiang Mai. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.
| Reason | % People |
|---|
| Low Income | 6% |
| High Expenses | 9% |
| Debt and Loans | 18% |
| Lack of Budgeting Skills | 10% |
| Impulsive Spending | 9% |
| Financial Emergencies | 6% |
| Living the moment | 7% |
| Will do it later | 17% |
| Inflation | 11% |
| Social Pressure | 3% |
| Market Instability | 3% |
Around 6% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 9% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 18% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 10% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 9% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 6% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 7% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 17% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 11% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or societal expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 3% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.
Typical saving choices for people in Chiang Mai
Where do people choose to put their savings?
| Saving Type | % People |
|---|
| Emergency Funds | 11% |
| Gold | 10% |
| Savings Accounts | 17% |
| Retirement Accounts | 11% |
| Cash Savings | 16% |
| Real Estate | 10% |
| Investment | 6% |
| Stocks | 6% |
| Bonds | 6% |
| Mutual Funds | 3% |
| Certificates of Deposit | 3% |
Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Chiang Mai
What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Chiang Mai and how much retirement savings are required?
Retirement age
The retirement age for most employees in Thailand is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.
Retirement planning and savings
There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.
The typical saved amount of money you should have at every age as multiples of monthly salary:| Age | Amount |
|---|
| 25 | 5x monthly salary at age 25 |
| 30 | 10x monthly salary at age 30 |
| 35 | 15x monthly salary at age 35 |
| 40 | 25x monthly salary at age 40 |
| 45 | 32x monthly salary at age 45 |
| 50 | 48x monthly salary at age 50 |
| 55 | 56x monthly salary at age 55 |
| 60 | 64x monthly salary at age 60 |
| 65 | 78x monthly salary at age 65 |
The typical average saved amount of money you should have at every age in Chiang Mai:| Age | Amount |
|---|
| 25 | 280,000 THB |
| 30 | 550,000 THB |
| 35 | 960,000 THB |
| 40 | 1.4M THB |
| 45 | 2.1M THB |
| 50 | 2.9M THB |
| 55 | 3.4M THB |
| 60 | 4.3M THB |
| 65 | 5.1M THB |
Retirement Income Distribution
We asked residents of Chiang Mai about their retirement income sources and below are the results.
| Source | % People |
|---|
| Pensions | 13% |
| Savings | 22% |
| Investments | 13% |
| Social Security | 8% |
| Annuities | 8% |
| Part-time Job | 10% |
| Real Estate | 17% |
| Dividends and Interest | 8% |
Retirement Monthly Expenses in Chiang Mai 17,000 THB
$460 | 50,000 THB
$1,400 | 330,000 THB
$9,200 |
Debt, loans, and mortgages in Chiang Mai
Percentage of people who are in debt
According to the survey, 27% of the people in Chiang Mai have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 73% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.
Debt-to-income ratio in Chiang Mai
Debt to income ratio
30%
21% to 40%
( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100
Interpretation
The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 30% of the people's monthly income in Chiang Mai goes to debt settlement.
Debt levelsMonthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income
| Debt-to-income ratio | % People |
|---|
| > 60% | 3% |
| 50% - 60% | 12% |
| 40% - 50% | 11% |
| 30% - 40% | 13% |
| 20% - 30% | 15% |
| 10% - 20% | 18% |
| 0% - 10% | 28% |
According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Chiang Mai pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 12% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 11% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 13% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 15% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.
Distribution by type of debt in Chiang Mai
| Debt | % People |
|---|
| Real Estate Mortgage | 13% |
| Auto Loan | 22% |
| Student Loan | 3% |
| Credit Card | 25% |
| Personal Loan | 37% |
13% of debtors in Chiang Mai confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 25% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 22% of people and personal loans rose at 37%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 3% of debtors in Chiang Mai.
About credit score and debt managementManaging debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.
Good debt vs. Bad debt
Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.
Loan Affordability Index in Chiang Mai
Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents of Chiang Mai how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.
Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.
| Frequency | % People |
|---|
| Never | 55% |
| Once a year | 22% |
| Twice a year | 11% |
| Three times a year | 8% |
| Four times a year | 4% |
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Chiang Mai
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Chiang Mai
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment | 8,800 THB | 13,000 THB | 35,000 THB |
1-bedroom apartment | 13,000 THB | 21,000 THB | 53,000 THB |
2-bedroom apartment | 18,000 THB | 26,000 THB | 71,000 THB |
3-bedroom apartment | 21,000 THB | 35,000 THB | 96,000 THB |
Furnished apartment | 42,000 THB | 110,000 THB | 210,000 THB |
Townhouse | 35,000 THB | 53,000 THB | 150,000 THB |
House | 42,000 THB | 110,000 THB | 210,000 THB |
Villa | 53,000 THB | 130,000 THB | 210,000 THB |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Chiang Mai ranges between 8,800 THB and 35,000 THB, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 13,000 THB to 53,000 THB. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 18,000 THB and 71,000 THB per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 21,000 THB to 96,000 THB. The average rent of a townhouse in Chiang Mai is around 53,000 THB while house rental costs can be as high as 110,000 THB per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 53,000 THB to 210,000 THB per month.
Apartment and house prices in Chiang Mai
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment | 1.8M THB | 2.6M THB | 5.3M THB |
1-bedroom apartment | 2.1M THB | 3.5M THB | 13M THB |
2-bedroom apartment | $98,000 | $300,000 | $590,000 |
3-bedroom apartment
Townhouse
House | 18M THB | 110M THB | 150M THB |
Villa | 21M THB | 120M THB | 180M THB |
The average price of a studio apartment in Chiang Mai can range from 1.8M THB to 5.3M THB depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 2.1M THB to 13M THB. A villa can cost you 120M THB on average with prices ranging from 21M THB to 180M THB.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Chiang Mai will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 46 | x132 monthly income | 231 |
Property prices in Chiang Mai can be x132 to x231 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x132 multiples of the average monthly salary in Chiang Mai.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Chiang Mai is around 35%. This means that people pay 35% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 24% to 46% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
32% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
| 150 THB | 2,000 THB | 20,000 THB |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
SingleSpending habits, consumption analysis, and expenditure patterns for a single person living in Chiang Mai
Housing33%
33% of total expenses on average (21% to 45%)
| LOW | $230 8,200 THB |
| AVERAGE | $690 25,000 THB |
| HIGH | $4,600 160,000 THB |
| Per Month |
Utilities, Electricity, Water7%
7% of total expenses on average (3% to 12%)
| LOW | $38 1,400 THB |
| AVERAGE | $110 4,100 THB |
| HIGH | $770 27,000 THB |
| Per Month |
Transport, Fuel6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 12%)
| LOW | $51 1,800 THB |
| AVERAGE | $150 5,500 THB |
| HIGH | $1,000 37,000 THB |
| Per Month |
Food and Groceries18%
18% of total expenses on average (12% to 23%)
| LOW | $100 3,700 THB |
| AVERAGE | $310 11,000 THB |
| HIGH | $2,000 73,000 THB |
| Per Month |
Healthcare11%
11% of total expenses on average (5% to 15%)
| LOW | $57 2,100 THB |
| AVERAGE | $170 6,200 THB |
| HIGH | $1,100 41,000 THB |
| Per Month |
Leisure, Shopping4%
4% of total expenses on average (3% to 7%)
| LOW | $32 1,100 THB |
| AVERAGE | $96 3,400 THB |
| HIGH | $640 23,000 THB |
| Per Month |
Education2%
2% of total expenses on average (1% to 4%)
| LOW | $13 460 THB |
| AVERAGE | $38 1,400 THB |
| HIGH | $260 9,100 THB |
| Per Month |
Other Expenses20%
20% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $110 4,100 THB |
| AVERAGE | $340 12,000 THB |
| HIGH | $2,300 82,000 THB |
| Per Month |
CoupleAverage monthly living expenditure breaks and spending patterns for couples in Chiang Mai
Housing30%
30% of total expenses on average (23% to 40%)
| LOW | $350 13,000 THB |
| AVERAGE | $1,100 38,000 THB |
| HIGH | $5,600 200,000 THB |
| Per Month |
Utilities, Electricity, Water6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $53 1,900 THB |
| AVERAGE | $160 5,700 THB |
| HIGH | $850 30,000 THB |
| Per Month |
Transport, Fuel10%
10% of total expenses on average (4% to 15%)
| LOW | $130 4,600 THB |
| AVERAGE | $380 14,000 THB |
| HIGH | $2,000 73,000 THB |
| Per Month |
Food and Groceries16%
16% of total expenses on average (11% to 21%)
| LOW | $150 5,300 THB |
| AVERAGE | $450 16,000 THB |
| HIGH | $2,400 85,000 THB |
| Per Month |
Healthcare13%
13% of total expenses on average (7% to 17%)
| LOW | $120 4,200 THB |
| AVERAGE | $350 13,000 THB |
| HIGH | $1,900 67,000 THB |
| Per Month |
Leisure, Shopping5%
5% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)
| LOW | $64 2,300 THB |
| AVERAGE | $190 6,900 THB |
| HIGH | $1,000 37,000 THB |
| Per Month |
Education2%
2% of total expenses on average (1% to 4%)
| LOW | $21 760 THB |
| AVERAGE | $64 2,300 THB |
| HIGH | $340 12,000 THB |
| Per Month |
Other Expenses19%
19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)
| LOW | $180 6,500 THB |
| AVERAGE | $540 19,000 THB |
| HIGH | $2,900 100,000 THB |
| Per Month |
FamilyAverage monthly expenses and break out of spending for families living in Chiang Mai
Housing29%
29% of total expenses on average (24% to 39%)
| LOW | $480 17,000 THB |
| AVERAGE | $1,400 49,000 THB |
| HIGH | $7,500 270,000 THB |
| Per Month |
Transport, Fuel6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 8%)
| LOW | $120 4,300 THB |
| AVERAGE | $340 12,000 THB |
| HIGH | $1,900 67,000 THB |
| Per Month |
Food and Groceries20%
20% of total expenses on average (13% to 26%)
| LOW | $270 9,600 THB |
| AVERAGE | $770 27,000 THB |
| HIGH | $4,200 150,000 THB |
| Per Month |
Healthcare10%
10% of total expenses on average (6% to 15%)
| LOW | $120 4,300 THB |
| AVERAGE | $340 12,000 THB |
| HIGH | $1,900 67,000 THB |
| Per Month |
Leisure, Shopping4%
4% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)
| LOW | $74 2,700 THB |
| AVERAGE | $210 7,600 THB |
| HIGH | $1,200 42,000 THB |
| Per Month |
Education14%
14% of total expenses on average (7% to 22%)
| LOW | $210 7,500 THB |
| AVERAGE | $600 21,000 THB |
| HIGH | $3,300 120,000 THB |
| Per Month |
Other Expenses14%
14% of total expenses on average (7% to 19%)
| LOW | $180 6,400 THB |
| AVERAGE | $510 18,000 THB |
| HIGH | $2,800 100,000 THB |
| Per Month |
StudentCost of living and expenses break down for students living in Chiang Mai
Housing21%
21% of total expenses on average (16% to 27%)
| LOW | $130 4,600 THB |
| AVERAGE | $320 11,000 THB |
| HIGH | $570 21,000 THB |
| Per Month |
Utilities, Electricity, Water5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 9%)
| LOW | $21 760 THB |
| AVERAGE | $53 1,900 THB |
| HIGH | $96 3,400 THB |
| Per Month |
Transport, Fuel5%
5% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $37 1,300 THB |
| AVERAGE | $93 3,300 THB |
| HIGH | $170 6,000 THB |
| Per Month |
Food and Groceries22%
22% of total expenses on average (16% to 26%)
| LOW | $110 3,800 THB |
| AVERAGE | $270 9,500 THB |
| HIGH | $480 17,000 THB |
| Per Month |
Healthcare8%
8% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $32 1,100 THB |
| AVERAGE | $80 2,900 THB |
| HIGH | $140 5,100 THB |
| Per Month |
Leisure, Shopping4%
4% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)
| LOW | $27 950 THB |
| AVERAGE | $66 2,400 THB |
| HIGH | $120 4,300 THB |
| Per Month |
Education19%
19% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $100 3,600 THB |
| AVERAGE | $250 9,000 THB |
| HIGH | $450 16,000 THB |
| Per Month |
Other Expenses17%
17% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $80 2,900 THB |
| AVERAGE | $200 7,100 THB |
| HIGH | $360 13,000 THB |
| Per Month |
