Spending Reports Thailand

Cost of Living in Chiang Mai, Thailand (Spending Report)

In January, my boyfriend and I went to Chiang Mai, Thailand for a month. We also vacationed to Krabi (in Thailand) and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia for a few days during our stay. In my Athens spending report I included my vacation to the islands in the expenses, but in this one I would like to make separate spending reports for Chiang Mai, Krabi, and Kuala Lumpur. So in this post, I will only include the costs of my 26 days in Chiang Mai.

I was astonished at the affordable yet decent living conditions in Chiang Mai, and I could see myself going back there for a few months at a time. Without further ado, here is my spending report!



Cost of Living in Chiang Mai, Thailand (Spending Report)

Things to Note

  • Nimman is a more expensive, “nicer” area in Chiang Mai (but it’s still very cheap regardless). I ended up staying there as I liked the apartments and restaurants around the area, and it’s a great spot for digital nomads. There are a few cafes there that either open until late or are 24-hour, and a lot of nomads stay there so you can make friends easily.
  • In other areas especially, food/meals can be cheaper than 50 baht (less than $1.50). On average, I would spend about 100-120 baht on meals.
  • I am only including my stay in Chiang Mai and not my quick trips to surrounding areas like Krabi and Kuala Lumpur.
  • 34-35 baht = 1 USD

Food

chiang mai thailand

Baht USD
Fried Rice 60 $1.71
Water 20 $0.57
Water 15 $0.43
Shrimp chips 20 $0.57
Mango juice 35 $1.00
Rice vegetables chicken 45 $1.29
Groceries 200 $5.71
Ramen 120 $3.43
Hot pot 120 $3.43
Thai Food 150 $4.29
Apple Smoothie 89 $2.54
Salad Concept Fried Rice 100 $2.86
Snacks 100 $2.86
Pork Rinds 60 $1.71
Burmese food 90 $2.57
Apple Smoothie 79 $2.26
Strawberry Sorbet 40 $1.14
Pho 130 $3.71
Hotpot 110 $3.14
Strawberry Smoothie 79 $2.26
Burmese Pork Curry 50 $1.43
Fried Rice and Watermelon Smoothie 180 $5.14
Burmese Food 100 $2.86
Vermicelli 50 $1.43
Mango juice 45 $1.29
Chinese Dumplings and Soup 120 $3.43
Korean buffet 170 $4.86
McDonald’s 160 $4.57
Water 15 $0.43
Cup noodles 15 $0.43
Cup noodles 15 $0.43
Korean buffet 170 $4.86
Salad Concept 100 $2.86
Chicken noodle soup 40 $1.14
Corn 20 $0.57
Burger & Fries 150 $4.29
Water 15 $0.43
Water 15 $0.43
Water 15 $0.43
Pork Vegetables Mashed Potatoes 300 $8.57
Ricola 15 $0.43
Scarf 100 $2.86
Mango juice 25 $0.71
Dumpiings 20 $0.57
Noodle soup 40 $1.14
Apples 50 $1.43
Orange juice + coffee 130 $3.71
Water 15 $0.43
Water 15 $0.43
Curry rice and water 200 $5.71
Cup noodles ricola 40 $1.14
Burmese food 70 $2.00
Sushi 200 $5.71
Lemon tea 69 $1.97
Vietnamese food 90 $2.57
Beer 65 $1.86
Water 15 $0.43
Pork rinds 60 $1.71
Mango Juice 69 $1.97
Pork Noodle Soup 39 $1.11
Hotpot 99 $2.83
Water 15 $0.43
Water 15 $0.43
Coke 15 $0.43
Cup noodles 15 $0.43
Water 15 $0.43
Mango Smoothie, Fried Rice, Noodle Soup 177 $5.06
Rice + Beef 49 $1.40
Mango drink 30 $0.86
Strawberry Sorbet 40 $1.14
Noodle soup + Mango smoothie 69 $1.97
Cup noodles 15 $0.43
Water 15 $0.43
Curry rice and water 200 $5.71

Food Total: $157.23

chiang mai thailand

Entertainment

Baht USD
Cabaret Show 360.00 $10.29
Beer 65 $1.86
Cider 35 $1.00
Beer 45 $1.29
Long Island 150 $4.29
White Temple Transportation and ticket 1100 $31.43
Fish spa 150 $4.29

Entertainment Total: $54.43



Miscellaneous

Baht USD
Exchange fee 200 $5.71
Sandals 58 $1.66
Money pouches 20 $0.57
Toilet paper 12 $0.34
Massage 320 $9.14
Exchange fee 200 $5.71
Bag 100 $2.86
Pants 100 $2.86
Dress 120 $3.43
Small Bags 100 $2.86
Tank Top 100 $2.86
Tank Top 160 $4.57
Small purses 20 $0.57
Laundry 60 $1.71
Car rental 1,000 $28.57
Laundry 60 $1.71

Miscellaneous Total: $75.14

Transportation

Baht USD
Transportation to guest house 40 $1.14
Red truck 80 $2.29
Red truck 40 $1.14
Tuk tuk 100 $2.86
Tuk tuk 60 $1.71
Red truck 30 $0.86
Uber 45 $1.29
Uber 35 $1.00
Uber 40 $1.14
Uber 60 $1.71
Uber 60 $1.71
Hong Kong to Chiang Mai $63.00

Transportation Total: $69.86

Accommodations

Chiang Mai AirBnB $29
Chiang Mai month $230

Accommodations Total: $259

chiang mai thailand

chiang mai thailand

Overall Spend

Food $157.23
Entertainment $54.43
Miscellaneous $75.14
Transportation $69.86
Accommodations $259
 Total $615.66

Total: $615.66

Daily: $23.68

This total of $615.66 was over a 26-day span, meaning I spent $23.68 per day – which is CRAZY! We weren’t really holding back that much with our spending, and we ate out every day. However, this is if we don’t count the costs of the mini trips we took.

The hype around Chiang Mai definitely makes sense. When I went to Thailand, I was worried my living conditions would be noticeably worse, but you can actually get decent accommodations (for a great price). At $400-500 you can get an extremely nice place with access to a swimming pool and regular laundry done for you. Lots of places in Nimman provide daily/weekly cleaning as well. It’s a great place for people who want a relaxing place of stay.

chiang mai cost of living

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