Austin vs Chiang Mai

Austin 🇚ðŸ‡ļ
Chiang Mai ðŸ‡đ🇭
Population 926,426 1,166,978
Official language(s) English (de facto) Thai
Level of English Very high Low
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November November - April
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) THB - Thai Baht (āļŋ)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted sometimes. Cash preferred in many places.
Remote worker visa No No
Average monthly costs $3484 $974
Rent $1650 $274
Groceries $243 $169
Dining out $396 $108
Cafe $66 $45
Coworking space $331 $95
Mobile internet $40 $11
Public transportation $110 $60
Taxis $73 $20
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $10
Sport and cultural events $54 $8
Museums and sights $11 $8
Nightlife $124 $62
Gym $62 $41
Yoga $139 $55
Massage $89 $10
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. AIS, DTAC
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10% at restaurants, not customary or expected elsewhere
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Grab
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable
Overall cuisine Emphasis on barbecued meats (beef and pork) as well as corn-based dishes and tex-mex, and rich American-style desserts. Combines salty, sweet, spicy and sour flavors to create bold and colorful dishes. Meals typically include a mixture of meat and seafood dishes, as well as noodles or soups recipes. Strong emphasis on local spices and vegetables.
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Khao soi, khan toke, sai oua, miang kham, nam prik, khanom jeen nam ngiaw, larb khua
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Street food stalls, local markets, bakeries and smaller, traditional restaurants that serve fresh food
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 90 options on HappyCow