City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $1,500/month?
Edinburgh vs Chiang Mai — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Edinburgh
Tight Budget
COL+Rent: 40.3 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo barely covers basics in Edinburgh.
Chiang Mai
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 17.3 (NYC=100)
$1,500/mo comfortably covers expenses in Chiang Mai.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Edinburgh | Chiang Mai | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $732 | $557 | +$175 |
| Groceries | $249 | $517 | $268 |
| Dining Out | $191 | $133 | +$58 |
| Transportation | $66 | $58 | +$8 |
| Utilities | $152 | $152 | $0 |
| Other / Misc | $110 | $83 | +$27 |
| Total | $1,500 | $1,500 | — |
Purchasing Power
Edinburgh
$1,500
per month
Chiang Mai equivalent
$644
per month
Only $644/mo in Chiang Mai matches $1,500/mo in Edinburgh — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Edinburgh on $1,500/month?
Living in Edinburgh on $1,500/mo is rated "Tight Budget". Budget allocates ~$732 to rent, $249 to groceries, $191 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 Edinburgh or Chiang Mai cheaper?
Chiang Mai is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Edinburgh 40.3 vs Chiang Mai 17.3 (NYC=100).
What is $1,500/mo in Edinburgh worth in Chiang Mai?
$1,500/mo of purchasing power in Edinburgh equals ~$644/mo in Chiang Mai using COL adjustment.