Cities
Nomad city comparison
Chiang Mai vs Kuala Lumpur
Thailand · Southeast Asia · budget · Malaysia · Southeast Asia · budget
🏆 Chiang Mai wins on price.
Nomad Score comparison
🏆 Chiang Mai scores higher
Nomad Score
77/ 100
A
A — Great
Cost · 30%89.83472222222223
Productivity · 25%78
Sustainability · 20%71
Lifestyle · 15%67
Tax · 10%65
Weighted for long-term nomads · cost 30% · productivity 25% · sustainability 20% · lifestyle 15% · tax 10%
Nomad Score
74/ 100
B
B — Solid
Cost · 30%85.12694444444445
Productivity · 25%74
Sustainability · 20%66
Lifestyle · 15%64
Tax · 10%75
Weighted for long-term nomads · cost 30% · productivity 25% · sustainability 20% · lifestyle 15% · tax 10%
| Sub-score | Chiang Mai | Kuala Lumpur | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | 89.83472222222223 | 85.12694444444445 | 4.707777777777778 |
| Productivity | 78 | 74 | 4 |
| Sustainability | 71 | 66 | 5 |
| Lifestyle | 67 | 64 | 3 |
| Tax | 65 | 75 | 10 |
| Total | 77 A | 74 B | 3 |
Side-by-side
| Category | Chiang Mai | Kuala Lumpur | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbnb (monthly) | $559 | $878 | 36% |
| Long-term lease | $342 | $511 | 33% |
| Food — local | $245 | $245 | ≈ |
| Food — Western | $506 | $649 | 22% |
| Coworking (monthly) | $82 | $132 | 38% |
| Specialty coffee (cup) | $3.22 | $2.69 | 16% |
| Mobile data / SIM (monthly) | $12 | $14 | 14% |
| Gym — chain (monthly) | $28 | $28 | ≈ |
| Gym — boutique (monthly) | $75 | $75 | ≈ |
| Laundry per load | $1.40 | $1.40 | ≈ |
| Transit pass (monthly) | $25.95 | $28.43 | 9% |
| Tourist visa | $40 | — | ≈ |
| Nomad visa (year) | $1,200 | $850 | 29% |
| Chicken breast (100g) | $0.50 | $0.65 | 23% |
Chiang Mai
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Kuala Lumpur
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