Almaty vs Chiang Mai: cost of living for digital nomads
Almaty, Kazakhstan and Chiang Mai, Thailand, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Chiang Mai is about 2% cheaper than Almaty for a month of nomad living ($1,100 vs $1,120).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $400 in Chiang Mai against $450 in Almaty.
- Chiang Mai scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Chiang Mai: 210 Mbps typical against 130 Mbps.
- Almaty is continental; Chiang Mai is tropical.
Almaty wins 3 of the measured lines; Chiang Mai wins 5.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Almaty or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai is cheaper: about $1,100/month against $1,120/month in Almaty, roughly 2% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Almaty or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for Almaty.
Which has faster internet, Almaty or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai has faster typical internet: 210 Mbps against 130 Mbps in Almaty.
| Line | Almaty | Chiang Mai |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,120 | $1,100 |
| Rent | $450 | $400 |
| Food | $300 | $320 |
| Transport | $30 | $40 |
| Coworking | $90 | $100 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 130 | 210 |
| Climate | continental | tropical |
| City size | metro | mid |
| Setting | mountain | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 6/10 | 10/10 |
Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Almaty September 11, 2026, Chiang Mai November 6, 2026.