City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Davao vs Chiang Mai — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Davao
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 14 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Davao.
Chiang Mai
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 17.3 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Chiang Mai.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Davao | Chiang Mai | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $482 | $557 | $75 |
| Groceries | $548 | $517 | +$31 |
| Dining Out | $165 | $133 | +$32 |
| Transportation | $27 | $58 | $31 |
| Utilities | $206 | $152 | +$54 |
| Other / Misc | $72 | $83 | $11 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Davao
$1,500
per month
Chiang Mai equivalent
$1,854
per month
You'd need $1,854/mo in Chiang Mai to match $1,500/mo in Davao.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Davao on $1,500/month?
Living in Davao on $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$482 to rent, $548 to groceries, $165 to dining.
Can I live in Chiang Mai on $1,500/month?
In Chiang Mai, $1,500/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $557 rent, $517 groceries, $133 dining.
Is Davao or Chiang Mai cheaper?
Davao is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Davao 14 vs Chiang Mai 17.3 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Davao worth in Chiang Mai?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Davao equals ~$1,854/mo in Chiang Mai using COL adjustment.