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Thailand

Chiang Mai

The original nomad hub — unbeatably cheap, laid-back, and thick with coworking spaces.

In Chiang Mai, a mid-range month runs about $1,235 (THB 41,154), typical internet speeds are around 184 Mbps and there is low violent crime city-wide.

Compare Chiang Mai with another cityFind places like Chiang Mai

Ratings

Scores run from 1 to 10 and compare each place with every other destination on Nomadr. Higher is always better. Cost is shown as a level, from Very Low to Very High.

Cost (day-to-day)Low

Cheaper day to day than about 75% of cities

Internet8.5/10

Faster internet than about 85% of cities

Visas8/10

Easier visas than about 90% of cities

Coworking8/10

Better coworking than about 80% of cities

English5.5/10

Less English-friendly than about 70% of cities

Walkability4.7/10

Harder to get around than about 60% of cities

Gyms & Wellness9.7/10

Among the 5% best cities for wellness

Getting There8.9/10

Easier to reach than about 90% of cities

Scores are built from researched data, with sources cited on the categories we have them for — open any category below to see them.

Everything we know

30 categories for Chiang Mai, grouped for quick scanning — coverage varies from city to city. Open any row for the full detail and any cited sources.

Money

Work

Life

Outdoor activities

  • Beaches: not available here. Nearest on Nomadr: Koh Tao (~950 km)
  • Freediving: not available here. Nearest on Nomadr: Koh Tao (~950 km)
  • Ski & Snowboard: not available here. Nearest on Nomadr: Lijiang (~900 km)

Practical

The Honest Downsides

The honest downsides

What we'd want to know before moving here.

Data last updated October 2026 · Verify anything important.

Other cities in Southeast Asia

  • Luang Prabang, LaosUNESCO riverside town with a slower-paced, smaller remote-work scene
  • Vientiane, LaosLaos's capital with a small but documented nomad presence
  • Bangkok, ThailandWorld-class infrastructure at a third of Western cost; Thailand's 5-year DTV visa
  • Sapa, VietnamVietnam's trekking capital — rice-terrace valley routes, Fansipan, and decades-old homestay/guide infrastructure.
  • Hanoi, VietnamVietnam's cultural capital with an unmatched cafe-coworking culture
  • Siem Reap, CambodiaAngkor Wat gateway city with an emerging coworking scene