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Cost of Living in Mae Ai

Mae Ai, Chiang Mai, Thailand · Population 10,558

▼ -16% vs Thailand average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)฿15,631 ($428)
Couple, monthly฿28,031 ($768)
Family of four, monthly฿36,529 ($1,001)

Estimated Prices in Mae Ai

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant฿158 ($4.32)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range฿631 ($17.28)per meal
Cappuccino฿47.30 ($1.30)each
Monthly groceries (single person)฿3,574 ($97.92)per month
Monthly public transport pass฿578 ($15.84)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment฿1,524 ($41.76)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)฿442 ($12.10)per month
Fitness club membership฿442 ($12.10)per month
Cinema ticket฿116 ($3.17)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre฿7,359 ($202)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre฿5,119 ($140)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre฿15,358 ($421)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Mae Ai is ฿21,353 ($585) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of ฿15,631 ($428) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly ฿20,321 ($557) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (฿5,119 ($140)) represents about 33% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Mae Ai

Mae Ai vs BangkokMae Ai vs Chiang MaiMae Ai vs Nakhon RatchasimaMae Ai vs Khon KaenMae Ai vs Hat YaiMae Ai vs Phatthaya

Nearby Cities

Ban Tha Ton

9 km away · Chiang Mai

Fang

14 km away · Chiang Mai

Ban Mon Pin

18 km away · Chiang Mai

Ban Mae Sun Luang

25 km away · Chiang Mai

Ban Mae Ngon Khilek

28 km away · Chiang Mai

Chai Prakan

36 km away · Chiang Mai

Ban Ho Mae Salong

38 km away · Chiang Rai

Ban Thoet Thai

46 km away · Chiang Rai

Other Major Cities in Thailand

Bangkok

Krung Thep Maha Nakhon · pop. 18,007,000

฿23,291 ($638) / mo

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai · pop. 1,198,000

฿20,194 ($553) / mo

Nakhon Ratchasima

Nakhon Ratchasima · pop. 466,098

฿18,662 ($511) / mo

Khon Kaen

Khon Kaen · pop. 416,988

฿18,662 ($511) / mo

Hat Yai

Songkhla · pop. 406,513

฿18,662 ($511) / mo

Phatthaya

Chon Buri · pop. 351,391

฿18,662 ($511) / mo

Phitsanulok

Phitsanulok · pop. 281,929

฿18,662 ($511) / mo

Phuket

Phuket · pop. 252,515

฿18,662 ($511) / mo

Living in Mae Ai

Mae Ai is one of the key cities in Thailand. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is ฿15,631 ($428), placing it below the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around ฿5,119 ($140) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to ฿36,529 ($1,001) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately ฿28,031 ($768) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Mae Ai is ฿21,353 ($585). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least ฿20,321 ($557) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mae Ai expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated ฿15,631 ($428) per month in Mae Ai including rent outside the city centre. That is 16% less than the national average for Thailand.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Mae Ai?
A net salary of around ฿20,321 ($557) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Mae Ai with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Mae Ai is ฿21,353 ($585).
How much is rent in Mae Ai?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated ฿7,359 ($202) per month in the city centre and ฿5,119 ($140) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about ฿15,358 ($421).
Is Mae Ai cheaper than Thailand on average?
Yes — Mae Ai is estimated to be about 16% cheaper than the Thailand average, making it a relatively affordable option in the country.
What is the cost of groceries in Mae Ai?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at ฿3,574 ($98) in Mae Ai. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about ฿158 ($4) and a cappuccino runs around ฿47 ($1).
How do transport costs in Mae Ai compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Mae Ai is estimated at ฿578 ($16). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Mae Ai are estimates based on Thailand national averages adjusted for city size (population 10,558). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.