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

	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

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

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.