Chiang Mai vs Phuket for Digital Nomads
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai vs 🇹🇭 Phuket · updated 2026-07
Verdict
Cheaper: Chiang Mai · Faster internet: Chiang Mai · Higher Nomad Score: Chiang Mai.
Head-to-head
| 🇹🇭 Chiang Mai | 🇹🇭 Phuket | |
|---|---|---|
| Comfortable / month | $1,000 ★ | $1,370 |
| 1-bed rent | $380 ★ | $700 |
| Food | $300 | $300 |
| Coworking | $100 ★ | $110 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 110 ★ | 100 |
| Affordability | 92 ★ | 83 |
| Weather | 82 | 84 ★ |
| Community | 92 ★ | 78 |
| Nomad Score | 87 ★ | 80 |
| Climate | Tropical, dry season Nov–Feb | Tropical beach |
★ = better on that row. Figures are aggregated estimates.
FAQ
Is Chiang Mai or Phuket cheaper for digital nomads?
Chiang Mai is cheaper — about $1,000/month vs $1,370/month for a comfortable solo setup.
Which has faster internet, Chiang Mai or Phuket?
Chiang Mai has faster average broadband (110 Mbps vs 100 Mbps).
Which has the higher Nomad Score?
Chiang Mai scores 87 vs 80 on our composite of affordability, connectivity, weather and community.