Chiang Mai vs Granada: cost of living for digital nomads
Chiang Mai, Thailand and Granada, Nicaragua, 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
- Granada is about 1% cheaper than Chiang Mai for a month of nomad living ($1,090 vs $1,100).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $400 in Chiang Mai against $450 in Granada.
- Chiang Mai scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Chiang Mai: 210 Mbps typical against 60 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Chiang Mai wins 4 of the measured lines; Granada wins 3.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Chiang Mai or Granada?
Granada is cheaper: about $1,090/month against $1,100/month in Chiang Mai, roughly 1% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Chiang Mai or Granada?
Chiang Mai scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 6/10 for Granada.
Which has faster internet, Chiang Mai or Granada?
Chiang Mai has faster typical internet: 210 Mbps against 60 Mbps in Granada.
| Line | Chiang Mai | Granada |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,100 | $1,090 |
| Rent | $400 | $450 |
| Food | $320 | $300 |
| Transport | $40 | $40 |
| Coworking | $100 | $80 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 210 | 60 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | mid | small |
| Setting | inland | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 10/10 | 6/10 |
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): Chiang Mai November 6, 2026, Granada September 10, 2026.