Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities › Bali vs Chiang Mai
Bali vs Chiang Mai cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money · Updated September 2026
🇮🇩 Bali
🇹🇭 Chiang MaiChiang Mai is 34% cheaper than Bali
Living on $1,765 a month in Bali feels like about $994 in Chiang Mai — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$71.9 vs $53.8
Per month
$1,765 vs $994
Local meal
Rp 35,000 vs ฿ 55
$2.15 vs $1.67
Taxi 5 km
Rp 30,000 vs ฿ 52
$1.84 vs $1.58
At a glance
FoodChiang Mai 21% cheaper
Cafés & drinksChiang Mai 15% cheaper
TransportBali 11% cheaper
StayChiang Mai 37% cheaper
FunChiang Mai 9% cheaper
- Where Chiang Mai is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (44%↓), Hotel night (29%↓), Street food (23%↓)
- Where Bali is clearly cheaper: Transit (33%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Bali | Chiang Mai | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | Rp 35,000$2.15 | ฿ 55$1.67 | Chiang Mai −22% |
| Street food1 item | Rp 16,000$0.98 | ฿ 25$0.76 | Chiang Mai −23% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | Rp 180,000$11 | ฿ 300$9.09 | Chiang Mai −18% |
| Coffeeone cup | Rp 40,000$2.45 | ฿ 65$1.97 | Chiang Mai −20% |
| Beerone bottle | Rp 45,000$2.76 | ฿ 80$2.42 | Chiang Mai −12% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | Rp 120,000$7.36 | ฿ 210$6.36 | Chiang Mai −14% |
| Bottled water | Rp 5,000$0.31 | ฿ 10$0.3 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | Rp 13,000$0.8 | ฿ 25$0.76 | Chiang Mai −5% |
| Taxi5 km in town | Rp 30,000$1.84 | ฿ 52$1.58 | Chiang Mai −14% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | Rp 28,000$1.72 | ฿ 59$1.79 | similar |
| Transitone ride | Rp 10,000$0.61 | ฿ 30$0.91 | Bali −33% |
| Scooter rentalper day | Rp 110,000$6.75 | ฿ 240$7.27 | Bali −7% |
| Hotel night3-star | Rp 700,000$42.9 | ฿ 1,000$30.3 | Chiang Mai −29% |
| Studio rent (month) | Rp 8,000,000$491 | ฿ 9,000$273 | Chiang Mai −44% |
| Laundry | Rp 22,000$1.35 | ฿ 44$1.33 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | Rp 110,000$6.75 | ฿ 240$7.27 | Bali −7% |
| Haircutcut | Rp 59,000$3.62 | ฿ 110$3.33 | Chiang Mai −8% |
| Massage1 hour | Rp 170,000$10.4 | ฿ 300$9.09 | Chiang Mai −13% |
| Half-day tourper person | Rp 560,000$34.4 | ฿ 890$27 | Chiang Mai −21% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | Rp 110,000$6.75 | ฿ 240$7.27 | Bali −7% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Bali or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai is 34% cheaper than Bali. Daily budget $71.9 vs $53.8; a month $1,765 vs $994.
How do monthly costs compare between Bali and Chiang Mai?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Bali is about $1,765 and Chiang Mai about $994 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.