Can I Afford to Live in Boise vs Chiang Mai on $120K?

Here's how a $120K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Boise, ID
$6,575/mo take-home
Rent: $1,600/mo (24% of take-home)
Comfortable
Chiang Mai, TH
$7,155/mo take-home
Rent: $390/mo (5% of take-home)
Very comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

Boise
ID
Chiang Mai
TH
Monthly take-home (est.)
$6,575
$7,155Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,600
$390Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$372Best ✓
$380
Transport (est.)
$45Best ✓
$150
Utilities
$145
$55Best ✓
Internet
$60
$20Best ✓
Left after essentials
$4,353/month
$6,160/month
Chiang Mai (Chiang Mai Province) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Boise (ID rate: 5.8%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $120K a good salary in Boise?

At $120K/year in Boise, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,575. With 1BR rent around $1,600/month, rent takes up 24% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Is $120K a good salary in Chiang Mai?

At $120K/year in Chiang Mai, your estimated monthly take-home is $7,155. With 1BR rent around $390/month, rent takes up 5% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $120K salary?

Chiang Mai leaves you with more money after core expenses — $6,160/month vs $4,353/month in Boise.

Can I afford to live alone in Boise on $120K?

Yes. At $120K in Boise, rent takes 24% of your take-home, leaving $4,353/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Boise vs Chiang Mai

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See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only