Can I Afford to Live in Chiang Mai vs Idaho Falls on $80K?

Here's how a $80K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Chiang Mai, TH
$5,057/mo take-home
Rent: $390/mo (8% of take-home)
Very comfortable
Idaho Falls, ID
$4,670/mo take-home
Rent: $1,100/mo (24% of take-home)
Comfortable

Monthly budget breakdown

Chiang Mai
TH
Idaho Falls
ID
Monthly take-home (est.)
$5,057Best ✓
$4,670
1BR rent
$390Best ✓
$1,100
Groceries (est.)
$380
$365Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$150
$35Best ✓
Utilities
$55Best ✓
$142
Internet
$20Best ✓
$65
Left after essentials
$4,062/month
$2,963/month
Chiang Mai (Chiang Mai Province) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Idaho Falls (ID rate: 5.8%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $80K a good salary in Chiang Mai?

At $80K/year in Chiang Mai, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,057. With 1BR rent around $390/month, rent takes up 8% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $80K a good salary in Idaho Falls?

At $80K/year in Idaho Falls, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,670. With 1BR rent around $1,100/month, rent takes up 24% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $80K salary?

Chiang Mai leaves you with more money after core expenses — $4,062/month vs $2,963/month in Idaho Falls.

Can I afford to live alone in Chiang Mai on $80K?

Yes. At $80K in Chiang Mai, rent takes 8% of your take-home, leaving $4,062/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Chiang Mai vs Idaho Falls

$40K$50K$60K$75K$100K$120K$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