Chiang Mai vs Santa Marta: cost of living for digital nomads
Chiang Mai, Thailand and Santa Marta, Colombia, 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 4% cheaper than Santa Marta for a month of nomad living ($1,100 vs $1,140).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $400 in Chiang Mai against $450 in Santa Marta.
- Chiang Mai scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Chiang Mai: 210 Mbps typical against 100 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Chiang Mai wins 6 of the measured lines; Santa Marta wins 1.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Chiang Mai or Santa Marta?
Chiang Mai is cheaper: about $1,100/month against $1,140/month in Santa Marta, roughly 4% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Chiang Mai or Santa Marta?
Chiang Mai scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 6/10 for Santa Marta.
Which has faster internet, Chiang Mai or Santa Marta?
Chiang Mai has faster typical internet: 210 Mbps against 100 Mbps in Santa Marta.
| Line | Chiang Mai | Santa Marta |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,100 | $1,140 |
| Rent | $400 | $450 |
| Food | $320 | $320 |
| Transport | $40 | $50 |
| Coworking | $100 | $90 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 210 | 100 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | mid | mid |
| Setting | inland | coast |
| 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, Santa Marta September 10, 2026.