Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities › Chiang Mai vs Koh Samui
Chiang Mai vs Koh Samui cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money · Updated September 2026
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Koh SamuiChiang Mai is 110% cheaper than Koh Samui
Living on $994 a month in Chiang Mai feels like about $2,165 in Koh Samui — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$53.8 vs $109
Per month
$994 vs $2,165
Local meal
฿ 55 vs ฿ 120
$1.67 vs $3.64
Taxi 5 km
฿ 52 vs ฿ 160
$1.58 vs $4.85
At a glance
FoodChiang Mai 51% cheaper
Cafés & drinksChiang Mai 33% cheaper
TransportChiang Mai 47% cheaper
StayChiang Mai 50% cheaper
FunChiang Mai 16% cheaper
- Where Chiang Mai is clearly cheaper: Taxi (68%↓), Local meal (54%↓), Street food (54%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Chiang Mai | Koh Samui | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | ฿ 55$1.67 | ฿ 120$3.64 | Chiang Mai −54% |
| Street food1 item | ฿ 25$0.76 | ฿ 54$1.64 | Chiang Mai −54% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | ฿ 300$9.09 | ฿ 530$16.1 | Chiang Mai −43% |
| Coffeeone cup | ฿ 65$1.97 | ฿ 99$3 | Chiang Mai −34% |
| Beerone bottle | ฿ 80$2.42 | ฿ 120$3.64 | Chiang Mai −33% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | ฿ 210$6.36 | ฿ 310$9.39 | Chiang Mai −32% |
| Bottled water | ฿ 10$0.3 | ฿ 14$0.42 | Chiang Mai −29% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | ฿ 25$0.76 | ฿ 35$1.06 | Chiang Mai −29% |
| Taxi5 km in town | ฿ 52$1.58 | ฿ 160$4.85 | Chiang Mai −68% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | ฿ 59$1.79 | ฿ 76$2.3 | Chiang Mai −22% |
| Transitone ride | ฿ 30$0.91 | ฿ 40$1.21 | Chiang Mai −25% |
| Scooter rentalper day | ฿ 240$7.27 | ฿ 300$9.09 | Chiang Mai −20% |
| Hotel night3-star | ฿ 1,000$30.3 | ฿ 2,000$60.6 | Chiang Mai −50% |
| Studio rent (month) | ฿ 9,000$273 | ฿ 18,000$545 | Chiang Mai −50% |
| Laundry | ฿ 44$1.33 | ฿ 50$1.52 | Chiang Mai −12% |
| SIM card1 week data | ฿ 240$7.27 | ฿ 260$7.88 | Chiang Mai −8% |
| Haircutcut | ฿ 110$3.33 | ฿ 130$3.94 | Chiang Mai −15% |
| Massage1 hour | ฿ 300$9.09 | ฿ 380$11.5 | Chiang Mai −21% |
| Half-day tourper person | ฿ 890$27 | ฿ 1,100$33.3 | Chiang Mai −19% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | ฿ 240$7.27 | ฿ 260$7.88 | Chiang Mai −8% |
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, Chiang Mai or Koh Samui?
Chiang Mai is 110% cheaper than Koh Samui. Daily budget $53.8 vs $109; a month $994 vs $2,165.
How do monthly costs compare between Chiang Mai and Koh Samui?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Chiang Mai is about $994 and Koh Samui about $2,165 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.