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Chiang Mai vs Mexico City cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money · Updated September 2026
🇹🇠Chiang Mai
🇲🇽 Mexico CityChiang Mai is 218% cheaper than Mexico City
Living on $994 a month in Chiang Mai feels like about $3,238 in Mexico City — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$53.8 vs $167
Per month
$994 vs $3,238
Local meal
฿ 55 vs MX$ 150
$1.67 vs $8.06
Taxi 5 km
฿ 52 vs MX$ 78
$1.58 vs $4.19
At a glance
FoodChiang Mai 76% cheaper
Cafés & drinksChiang Mai 33% cheaper
TransportChiang Mai 40% cheaper
StayChiang Mai 70% cheaper
FunChiang Mai 44% cheaper
- Where Mexico City is clearly cheaper: Transit (65%↓)
- Where Chiang Mai is clearly cheaper: Local meal (79%↓), Street food (79%↓), Studio rent (month) (72%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Chiang Mai | Mexico City | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | ฿ 55$1.67 | MX$ 150$8.06 | Chiang Mai −79% |
| Street food1 item | ฿ 25$0.76 | MX$ 68$3.66 | Chiang Mai −79% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | ฿ 300$9.09 | MX$ 450$24.2 | Chiang Mai −62% |
| Coffeeone cup | ฿ 65$1.97 | MX$ 65$3.49 | Chiang Mai −44% |
| Beerone bottle | ฿ 80$2.42 | MX$ 60$3.23 | Chiang Mai −25% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | ฿ 210$6.36 | MX$ 160$8.6 | Chiang Mai −26% |
| Bottled water | ฿ 10$0.3 | MX$ 15$0.81 | Chiang Mai −62% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | ฿ 25$0.76 | MX$ 38$2.04 | Chiang Mai −63% |
| Taxi5 km in town | ฿ 52$1.58 | MX$ 78$4.19 | Chiang Mai −62% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | ฿ 59$1.79 | MX$ 66$3.55 | Chiang Mai −50% |
| Transitone ride | ฿ 30$0.91 | MX$ 6$0.32 | Mexico City −65% |
| Scooter rentalper day | ฿ 240$7.27 | MX$ 410$22 | Chiang Mai −67% |
| Hotel night3-star | ฿ 1,000$30.3 | MX$ 1,800$96.8 | Chiang Mai −69% |
| Studio rent (month) | ฿ 9,000$273 | MX$ 18,000$968 | Chiang Mai −72% |
| Laundry | ฿ 44$1.33 | MX$ 33$1.77 | Chiang Mai −25% |
| SIM card1 week data | ฿ 240$7.27 | MX$ 160$8.6 | Chiang Mai −15% |
| Haircutcut | ฿ 110$3.33 | MX$ 170$9.14 | Chiang Mai −64% |
| Massage1 hour | ฿ 300$9.09 | MX$ 490$26.3 | Chiang Mai −65% |
| Half-day tourper person | ฿ 890$27 | MX$ 660$35.5 | Chiang Mai −24% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | ฿ 240$7.27 | MX$ 160$8.6 | Chiang Mai −15% |
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 Mexico City?
Chiang Mai is 218% cheaper than Mexico City. Daily budget $53.8 vs $167; a month $994 vs $3,238.
How do monthly costs compare between Chiang Mai and Mexico City?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Chiang Mai is about $994 and Mexico City about $3,238 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.