Monthly Breakdown for Digital Nomads, Hybrid Workers, and Travellers.

Chiang Mai, Thailand is often praised as a budget destination, but what if you’re looking for a comfortable mid-range lifestyle as a digital nomad or hybrid worker? I spent a month here, living in a central Airbnb, enjoying great food, and experiencing local attractions—and here’s how much it really cost me.

💰 Expenses Breakdown

🛏️ Accommodation: SGD950
→ Central Airbnb (run-down condo)
🍜 Food: <SGD50/day
→ Mix of restaurants and cafes
🚕 Transport: Minimal
→ Stayed within walking distance to major malls and cafes
💄 Personal Expenses: ~SGD400
→ Shopping, grooming, etc.

Total: ~SGD2,900 (excluding activities)

📌 I was fairly liberal in spending – if you’re on a budget, it will be much lower than this.

🏡 Where to Stay in Chiang Mai: Best Mid-Range Options

When in Chiang Mai, you’ll often hear about Nimmanhaemin (Nimman) versus Old City as the two main neighbourhoods. Old City has its charm, but if you’re staying long-term (a month or more), I recommend Nimman because:

✔️ It’s highly accessible with malls, co-working spaces, and cafes within walking distance.
✔️ My apartment was just 5-minutes from One Nimman and Maya Mall.
✔️ I got a fantastic view of the New Year’s Eve fireworks from my balcony.
✔️ The WiFi was excellent—I had multiple video calls with no issues.

💡 Downside of my Airbnb (SGD950/month)
Unfortunately, my Airbnb was a bit of a letdown—for SGD950/month, I expected better maintenance. Many buildings in Chiang Mai are older and poorly maintained, so be prepared for that.

📌 A common Chiang Mai quirk: Most places (even malls!) don’t allow lavatory paper to be flushed, so you’ll need to get used to using the bin instead.

Should You Book an Airbnb or Long-Term Rental?

✅ Airbnb pros: Easier for short stays (1–3 months), WiFi and utilities included.
✅ Long-term rentals save 20–30%: If staying 3+ months, renting locally is much cheaper.

If convenience matters more than cost, Airbnb is still a solid choice.

🍽️ Food and Grocery Expenses (SGD50/day)

I ate out 100% of the time since I was solo—it was easier than grocery shopping and meal prepping. My go-to spots included:

✔️ GINGER FARM Kitchen – Northern Thai cuisine.
✔️ Haidilao – They seat solo diners with a giant plushie for company (super cute).
✔️ Local cafes – Great for working and casual meals.

📌 Budget Tip: If you want to save, food courts offer meals for less than SGD5.

Northern Thai Food: Different from Bangkok
Khao Soi is a local staple—like a nutty, creamy version of noodles. It took me a while to get used to, but I ended up loving it!

🚕  Transport Costs (Less than SGD100 for the Month)

Since I stayed centrally, I barely spent on transport. Here’s how I got around:

✔️ Walkable city – My location was perfect.
✔️ Included transport – Many activities had hotel pick-up.
✔️ Grab (like Uber) is available – I only used it for airport transfers.

📌 If you plan to explore outside Nimman, expect to spend SGD50–100/month on Grab or scooter rentals.

📶 Internet and Workspaces (SGD25)

I used SIMBA’s SuperRoam Plan from Singapore, which covers most neighboring countries and includes 15GB of overseas data (80GB for APAC countries). This was more than enough.

Since I work from home, I didn’t need co-working spaces, but here’s a quick comparison:

✔️ Home WiFi – Free with Airbnb, strong signal.
✔️ Co-working spaces – ~$100/month for unlimited access.

If you prefer a dedicated work environment, Chiang Mai has many excellent co-working spaces like Yellow Coworking and Punspace.

🎟️ Activities and Experiences in Chiang Mai

🐘 Elephant Sanctuary and Sticky Waterfall (SGD230, transport included)
This was a full-day activity that started at 8am and ended in the early evening. The ethical elephant sanctuary experience included:

✔️ Learning about elephant diet and lifestyle.
✔️ Preparing and feeding them their food.
✔️ Bathing the elephants – 10/10 experience! 

📌 Tip: The shower facilities are combined with restroom cubicles, so bring a small bottle of soap and your own towel.

After the sanctuary, we visited the Sticky Waterfalls, where despite the steepness, the rock texture allows you to walk without slipping!

🏯 Chiang Rai Temple Tour – Black, White, and Blue Temple (SGD40, transport included)
This was a full-day tour from Chiang Mai, and despite the crowds of tourists, the architecture was stunning.

✔️ White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) – Intricate white carvings, very surreal.
✔️ Black House (Baan Dam Museum) – Dark, gothic-style wooden structures.
✔️ Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten) – Deep blue and gold aesthetics. 

Would I do it again? 100% yes.

🏯 Half day tour – Doi Suthep and Wat Pha Lat Sunrise
This one required me to wake up at god-forsaken hours to witness the sunrise at a temple on the top of a hill and I also got to take part in the alms rituals with the monks (which includes giving them provisions for the day etc). Would I do it again, maybe – but definitely I will skip the sunrise tour. Seeing it once is fine but once is fine.

🌟 Final Thoughts: Was SGD2,900 Worth It?

💬 Chiang Mai was surprisingly affordable for a mid-range lifestyle. While the apartment wasn’t perfect, the food, walkability, and activities made up for it. I’d return again for a slower pace of life.

🙋‍♀️ Who This City is For

• Digital nomads who prefer walkable cities
• Mid-range travelers seeking comfort over chaos
• Solo female travelers looking for ease and safety
• Remote workers who enjoy culture + nature blend