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Chiang Mai
#44 of 124
Asia

Chiang Mai

Thailand

Salary & Cost of Living

View purchasing power ranking

How do salaries and expenses in Chiang Mai compare to San Francisco?

Purchasing Power Comparison

An engineer in Chiang Mai is 35% worse off vs in San Francisco

This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Chiang Mai compared to San Francisco, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.

Median Salary
$35,341
-$237K (-87%) vs San Francisco
Based on 235 data points from levels.fyi
Net Salary
$30,040
-$142K (-83%) vs San Francisco
Tax Rate: 15%

Community Insights

New

Chiang Mai remains a top-tier destination for remote software engineers and digital nomads, primarily due to its unbeatable affordability and robust infrastructure for remote work. The city ranks #10 globally for cost of living, allowing developers earning foreign currencies to enjoy a luxury lifestyle that would be impossible elsewhere. The local tech scene is dominated by expats and nomads rather than local industry, creating a unique, albeit transient, professional network.

However, the burning season is a critical flaw, effectively rendering the city hazardous for several months a year due to smoke and pollution (Pollution Index #111). While the safety and food culture are major draws, potential residents must weigh these against the environmental health risks and the logistical challenges of Thai visas. It is a paradise for those who can work remotely and leave during the smoky months.

Resident Sentiment

Current residents generally describe Chiang Mai as a "magical" place that is hard to leave, frequently citing the ease of life and community as their favorite aspects. However, sentiment takes a sharp dip during burning season, with many long-termers expressing dread or actively planning trips away during this period. While some complain about the influx of "crypto bros" and "wantrepreneurs," the consensus is that the pros of the lifestyle—specifically the freedom and affordability—far outweigh the cons for most of the year.

Living Environment

Weather•Safety•Pollution•Events

A quick look at climate, safety, pollution, and tech community compared to San Francisco.

Rankings

Safety Index

Top 5%

#6

of 124 cities

77.9/100

Current value

Cost of Living

Top 8%

#10

of 124 cities

24/100

Current value (lower is better)

Tax Rate

Top 8%

#10

of 124 cities

15%

Current value (lower is better)

Housing Affordability

View affordability ranking

How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Chiang Mai compared to San Francisco?

Avg. Property Price
$1,831 / m²
82% cheaper than San Francisco
View detailed property prices on Numbeo

Salary Converter

Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in Chiang Mai to maintain the same standard of living.

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Do you have kids?

Cost of Living
73% cheaper than San Francisco
View detailed cost breakdown on Numbeo

Top Paying Companies in Chiang Mai

Coda Payments logo
Coda Payments
Agoda logo
Agoda
Aviasales logo
Aviasales

The Good

  • Extremely low cost of living (ranked #10 of 124 cities), allowing for a high quality of life on a modest budget.
  • Vibrant digital nomad community with extensive networking opportunities, meetups, and social clubs.
  • Abundance of coworking spaces (e.g., Hub53, Alt_ChiangMai) and cafes with reliable, high-speed internet.
  • High safety index (77.9/100), making it one of the safest cities for expats and solo travelers.
  • Excellent food scene ranging from cheap street food to high-quality international cuisine.
  • Relaxed pace of life compared to bustling capitals like Bangkok, with easy access to nature and mountains.

The Bad

  • Severe air pollution during the annual burning season (approx. Feb-April), often requiring residents to stay indoors or leave the city.
  • Low local salaries for software engineers compared to Western standards, making remote work for foreign companies the preferred option.
  • Complex visa regulations that can be difficult to navigate for long-term stays without a specific sponsorship or elite visa.
  • Traffic congestion and a lack of comprehensive public transportation, often necessitating a scooter rental.
  • Transient social circle as many digital nomads stay only for a few months, leading to a revolving door of friendships.
  • Heat and humidity can be oppressive outside of the cool season, with temperatures reaching highs of 36°C.

The Verdict

You'll love it if...

The remote-working software engineer earning a Western salary who wants to maximize their purchasing power (Rank #44) and save money. It is ideal for bootstrappers and indie hackers looking for a low-burn-rate environment to build their products, as well as junior developers seeking a supportive community of like-minded expats. People who value a slower pace of life, nature, and cafe culture will thrive here.

Skip it if...

Engineers seeking high-paying local employment, as the median local net income is significantly lower than in major tech hubs. Individuals with respiratory issues or asthma should avoid living here year-round due to the severe air quality issues in spring. Those who prefer the fast-paced energy and nightlife of a mega-city like Bangkok or who are looking for permanent, stable residency without dealing with visa hurdles may find it frustrating.

Updated 11/29/2025

Weather1.8/10-79% vs San Francisco
Safety78+98%
Pollution78+58%
Events0-100%
1.8/10TechCities weather score vs 8.7/10 in San Francisco

0–10 composite (higher is better) combining temperature comfort, sunshine hours, rainy-day count, and humid days. See methodology for weighting and data sources.

Weather snapshot

Average High
32°C(vs 19°C in San Francisco)
Average Low
21°C(vs 12°C in San Francisco)
Sunshine Hours
2,512h/yr-549h/yr(-18%)
Hottest Month High
36°C(vs 22°C in San Francisco)
Coldest Month Low
15°C(vs 8°C in San Francisco)
Rainy Days
102/yr+53/yr(+110%)

Community & Quality

Chiang Mai community pulse

Chiang Mai has 0 Luma events listed.

100% fewer events than San Francisco.

Home Affordability

Top 27%

#33

of 124 cities

≈4.9 yrs to buy 80m²

Current value

Purchasing Power

Middle of the pack

#44

of 124 cities

Community Events

Bottom 32%

#85

of 124 cities

0 events on luma

Current value

Net Income

Bottom 27%

#92

of 124 cities

$30,040/yr

Current value

Comfortable Weather

Bottom 14%

#108

of 124 cities

18/100 weather score

Current value

Pollution Score

Bottom 11%

#111

of 124 cities

77.8/100

Current value (lower is better)

SWE Affordability
4.9 years
0.2 years longer than San Francisco
Muggy Days
213/yr+213/yr(+106550%)
Cloud Cover
61%(vs 34% in San Francisco)