Is Don Kaeo Expensive?

Chiang Mai, Thailand

-22% vs Chiang Mai avg

Living in Don Kaeo, Chiang Mai

Don Kaeo is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Chiang Mai, with a cost of living index of 17.6 — that is -22% compared to the Chiang Mai average. Ranked #15 of 18, it offers some of the lowest costs in the city. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around ฿8,461/month, compared to a range of ฿7,810 in Ban Waen to ฿13,233 in Nimmanhaemin.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of Don Kaeo, housing takes up roughly 20% of monthly expenses. Food and groceries account for about 21%, while transportation costs around 11%. To live comfortably here — meaning rent stays at or below 30% of gross income — you would need an annual salary of approximately ฿338,430 before tax.

Typical Salaries in Don Kaeo

Salaries in Don Kaeo reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 17.6:

After tax and deductions of 6.7% in Thailand, take-home pay for someone earning ฿338,430 would be roughly ฿315,755/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

17.6
COLI Index
0.78x
vs City Avg
฿8,461
Est. 1BR Rent
#15
of 18 Areas
6.7%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in Don Kaeo

Estimated annual deductions on a ฿409,091 salary in Don Kaeo, Chiang Mai (local employee).

Income Tax
4%
Social Security
2.2%
Total Deductions: 6.7%
Est. Take-Home: ฿381,682/yr

Rates shown are for a local employee. Use the salary converter for expat calculations.

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in Don Kaeo would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $13,200
London GBP £11,360
Dubai AED AED 66,050

Other Neighborhoods in Chiang Mai

Neighborhood COLI Multiplier vs Avg
Nimmanhaemin 27.6 1.22x +22%
Old City 26.0 1.15x +15%
Tha Phae 24.9 1.10x +10%
Chang Khlan (Night Bazaar) 24.4 1.08x +8%
Santitham 23.7 1.05x +5%

View all 18 neighborhoods in Chiang Mai →

Convert Your Salary

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Chiang Mai City Comparisons

Bangkok vs Chiang Mai

Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to Don Kaeo:

Bekasi, Jakarta Berceni, Bucharest Drumul Taberei, Bucharest San Juan de Lurigancho, Lima Sidi Ghanem, Marrakech Electronic City, Bangalore

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Don Kaeo expensive in Chiang Mai?

Don Kaeo is one of the more affordable neighborhoods in Chiang Mai. It costs about -22% less than the city average, ranking #15 out of 18 neighborhoods.

How does Don Kaeo compare to the Chiang Mai average?

The cost of living in Don Kaeo is well below the Chiang Mai average. With a multiplier of 0.78x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are -22% compared to the city baseline.

Data Sources: Cost of living indices based on crowd-sourced price data and official statistics. Tax calculations follow 2026 rates. Sources include OECD Better Life Index. Figures are estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances.