Chiang Mai vs Oaxaca: cost of living for digital nomads
Chiang Mai, Thailand and Oaxaca, Mexico, 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 8% cheaper than Oaxaca for a month of nomad living ($1,100 vs $1,200).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $400 in Chiang Mai against $520 in Oaxaca.
- Chiang Mai scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Chiang Mai: 210 Mbps typical against 50 Mbps.
- Chiang Mai is tropical; Oaxaca is temperate.
Chiang Mai wins 6 of the measured lines; Oaxaca wins 0.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Chiang Mai or Oaxaca?
Chiang Mai is cheaper: about $1,100/month against $1,200/month in Oaxaca, roughly 8% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Chiang Mai or Oaxaca?
Chiang Mai scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for Oaxaca.
Which has faster internet, Chiang Mai or Oaxaca?
Chiang Mai has faster typical internet: 210 Mbps against 50 Mbps in Oaxaca.
| Line | Chiang Mai | Oaxaca |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,100 | $1,200 |
| Rent | $400 | $520 |
| Food | $320 | $340 |
| Transport | $40 | $40 |
| Coworking | $100 | $100 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 210 | 50 |
| Climate | tropical | temperate |
| City size | mid | mid |
| Setting | inland | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 10/10 | 8/10 |
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, Oaxaca November 8, 2026.