Travel budget and cost of living in Chiang Mai (Thailand) how much does a trip cost?

Chiang Mai travel budget

Chiang Mai: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Chiang Mai

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Chiang Mai for 2 people.

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).

Cost of living in Chiang Mai compared to United States in 2025

On average, the cost of living in Chiang Mai in 2025 is 48% less than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Chiang Mai in 2025 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in Chiang Mai by expense type

Restaurant budget in Chiang Mai

Lunch

$ 1.8/person
($ 1.5 to $ 3.6)

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90% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 20

3 course dinner

$ 8.9/person
($ 7.4 to $ 25)

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75% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 37

McDonald's meal

$ 7.1/person
($ 6 to $ 8.9)

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33% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Local beer

$ 2.2 for 500ml
($ 1.8 to $ 3.6)

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63% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.9

Imported beer

$ 2.9 for 330ml
($ 1.8 to $ 5.4)

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14% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5

Cappuccino

$ 1.8/cup
($ 1 to $ 3.6)

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64% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1

Fizzy drink

$ 0.6/can
($ 0.4 to $ 0.9)

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73% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Water bottle

$ 0.4/bottle
($ 0.3 to $ 0.6)

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81% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2

Hotel and accommodation budget in Chiang Mai

1-star hotel

$ 40/night
($ 11 to $ 186)

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75% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 160

2-star hotel

$ 39/night
($ 7.3 to $ 395)

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74% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 151

3-star hotel

$ 33/night
($ 8.4 to $ 89)

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85% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 223

4-star hotel

$ 130/night
($ 25 to $ 822)

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58% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 310

5-star hotel

$ 253/night
($ 74 to $ 1022)

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48% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 489

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 25/month
($ 10 to $ 52)

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84% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 161

Room with kitchen

$ 153/month
($ 12 to $ 948)

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35% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 238

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 55/month
($ 12 to $ 207)

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72% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 202

Cottage or guest house

$ 67/month
($ 12 to $ 314)

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70% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 226

Family room

$ 182/month
($ 18 to $ 1172)

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7% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 198

Supermarket food budget in Chiang Mai

Milk

$ 1.6/litre
($ 0.9 to $ 2.8)

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54% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Bread

$ 3/500g
($ 2.1 to $ 4.7)

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12% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5

Rice

$ 1.3/kg
($ 0.6 to $ 1.8)

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73% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.5

Eggs

$ 2/12 eggs
($ 1.5 to $ 2.7)

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45% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Chicken

$ 2.8/kg
($ 1.4 to $ 3.6)

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75% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12

Apples

$ 2.7/kg
($ 0.9 to $ 3.5)

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47% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.2

Tomatoes

$ 1.4/kg
($ 0.9 to $ 2.5)

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70% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.8

Potatoes

$ 1.5/kg
($ 0.9 to $ 1.8)

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50% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.9

Water bottle

$ 0.5
($ 0.3 to $ 0.7)

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76% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Public and private transport budget in Chiang Mai

Bus ticket

$ 0.9/ticket
($ 0.3 to $ 1.5)

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63% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4

Taxi (per km)

$ 1.4/km
($ 1.2 to $ 1.8)

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21% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7

Petrol

$ 1.2/litre
($ 1 to $ 1.4)

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29% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 0.9

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 1.4
($ 0.9 to $ 2.9)

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62% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Car hire

$ 30/24hrs
($ 21 to $ 63)

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58% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 71

Leisure activity budget in Chiang Mai

Cinema

$ 6/ticket
($ 5.4 to $ 7.8)

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56% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14

Tennis

$ 6.5/hr
($ 5.4 to $ 6)

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68% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Chiang Mai

Cigarettes

$ 4.5/pack
($ 3.6 to $ 4.7)

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54% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 10

Levi's jeans

$ 58
($ 15 to $ 75)

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11% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 52

Summer dress

$ 32
($ 11 to $ 60)

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26% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 42

Plane ticket budget

London → Chiang Mai

$ 902
(fair price: $ 796)

Sydney → Chiang Mai

$ 602
(fair price: $ 507)

Melbourne → Chiang Mai

$ 637
(fair price: $ 515)

Manchester → Chiang Mai

$ 964
(fair price: $ 810)

Los Angeles → Chiang Mai

$ 1039
(fair price: $ 805)

New York City → Chiang Mai

$ 1144
(fair price: $ 896)

Book a flight Flight prices to Chiang Mai