Can I Afford to Live in Chiang Mai vs Boston 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.

Chiang Mai, TH
$7,155/mo take-home
Rent: $390/mo (5% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Boston, MA
$6,655/mo take-home
Rent: $3,000/mo (45% of take-home)
Difficult
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Monthly budget breakdown

Chiang Mai
TH
Boston
MA
Monthly take-home (est.)
$7,155Best ✓
$6,655
1BR rent
$390Best ✓
$3,000
Groceries (est.)
$380Best ✓
$418
Transport (est.)
$150
$90Best ✓
Utilities
$55Best ✓
$185
Internet
$20Best ✓
$70
Left after essentials
$6,160/month
$2,892/month
Chiang Mai (Chiang Mai Province) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Boston (MA rate: 5%).

Frequently asked questions

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.

Is $120K a good salary in Boston?

At $120K/year in Boston, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,655. With 1BR rent around $3,000/month, rent takes up 45% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

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

Chiang Mai leaves you with more money after core expenses — $6,160/month vs $2,892/month in Boston.

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

Yes. At $120K in Chiang Mai, rent takes 5% of your take-home, leaving $6,160/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Chiang Mai vs Boston

$40K$50K$60K$75K$80K$100K$150K

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