Is Old City Expensive?

Chiang Mai, Thailand

+15% vs Chiang Mai avg

Living in Old City, Chiang Mai

Old City is one of the pricier neighborhoods in Chiang Mai, with a cost of living index of 26.0 — that is +15% compared to the Chiang Mai average. It ranks #2 out of 18 areas by cost. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around ฿12,474/month, compared to a range of ฿7,810 in Ban Waen to ฿13,233 in Nimmanhaemin.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of Old City, housing takes up roughly 30% 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 ฿498,967 before tax.

Typical Salaries in Old City

Salaries in Old City reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 26.0:

After tax and deductions of 8.6% in Thailand, take-home pay for someone earning ฿498,967 would be roughly ฿456,056/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

26.0
COLI Index
1.15x
vs City Avg
฿12,474
Est. 1BR Rent
#2
of 18 Areas
8.6%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in Old City

Estimated annual deductions on a ฿604,338 salary in Old City, Chiang Mai (local employee).

Income Tax
7%
Social Security
1.5%
Total Deductions: 8.6%
Est. Take-Home: ฿552,188/yr

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

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in Old City would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $19,500
London GBP £16,781
Dubai AED AED 97,574

Other Neighborhoods in Chiang Mai

Neighborhood COLI Multiplier vs Avg
Nimmanhaemin 27.6 1.22x +22%
Tha Phae 24.9 1.10x +10%
Chang Khlan (Night Bazaar) 24.4 1.08x +8%
Santitham 23.7 1.05x +5%
Suthep 23.1 1.02x +2%

View all 18 neighborhoods in Chiang Mai →

Convert Your Salary

See exactly what you need to earn in Old City, Chiang Mai to maintain your lifestyle.

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Compare Old City

Old City vs Tha Phae Old City vs Nimmanhaemin

Chiang Mai City Comparisons

Bangkok vs Chiang Mai

Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to Old City:

Indiranagar, Bangalore Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi Truc Bach, Hanoi Toul Tom Poung (Russian Market), Phnom Penh Triangle d'Or, Casablanca San Telmo, Buenos Aires

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Old City expensive in Chiang Mai?

Yes, Old City is one of the more expensive neighborhoods in Chiang Mai. It costs about +15% more than the city average, ranking #2 out of 18 neighborhoods.

How does Old City compare to the Chiang Mai average?

The cost of living in Old City is above the Chiang Mai average. With a multiplier of 1.15x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are +15% 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.