City in Thailand
Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is the largest city in northern Thailand, with Doi Suthep rising to 1,600 metres to its west. It has its own immigration office and an international school open since 1954, and InterNations counts more than 6,000 members in the city. Only two months a year have a daily high of 30 °C or less with little rain. [E1] [M1] [V1] [Chiang Mai S1] [Chiang Mai C1] [W1]
Why it is here
Why Chiang Mai is on the list.
A city is listed when there is evidence that people move there. This is the evidence.
- Chiang Mai has its own Immigration Bureau office on Airport Road, listed with its telephone and fax numbers. [V1]
- Chiang Mai International School has taught the international community of northern Thailand since 1954, is accredited by WASC, and has students from more than 30 countries. [Chiang Mai S1]
- InterNations shows 6,213 members in Chiang Mai and a Chiang Mai community group of 7,582 members from 153 nationalities. A 2026 guide calls it the most established expat hub outside Bangkok, with a particularly strong digital nomad and retiree community; that is the guide's own description, not a headcount. [Chiang Mai C1] [E1]
The Fernshore Index
How it grades, factor by factor.
Each grade is against a published measure, with its source and the date we checked it. It is research information, not advice. Where we have no figure, the row says Unknown.
Cost of living
93 of 100StrongCountry figure
Price level 0.307 of United States prices (2025).
Source: Price level index (GDP), Thailand. Checked 15 October 2026.
Climate
8 of 100WeakOwn figure
Chiang Mai's own normals: 2 comfortable months a year (January and December); every other month has an average daily high above 30 °C or 150 mm or more of rain.
Source: Climate normals 1991–2020, Chiang Mai (WMO 48327). Checked 15 October 2026.
Safety
33 of 100WeakCountry figure
Global Peace Index 2026: 101st of 163.
Source: Global Peace Index 2026, overall rank. Checked 15 October 2026.
Healthcare
73 of 100StrongCountry figure
WHO UHC service coverage index 82 (2023).
Source: UHC service coverage index (SDG 3.8.1). Checked 15 October 2026.
Schools
UnknownCountry figure
Our research doesn't cover schools yet.
Community
83 of 100StrongCountry figure
Expat Insider 2026 Ease of Settling In: 3rd of 31.
Source: Expat Insider 2026: Ease of Settling In. Checked 15 October 2026.
Lifestyle
51 of 100MixedCountry figure
Expat Insider 2026 Quality of Life: 21st of 31.
Source: Expat Insider 2026: Quality of Life. Checked 15 October 2026.
Work and career
50 of 100MixedCountry figure
Mixed: a residence route for remote workers exists (Destination Thailand Visa), but fixed broadband is 14.9 per 100 people (2024), under the 30 line.
Source: Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): requirements; Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, Thailand. Checked 15 October 2026.
Retirement
50 of 100MixedCountry figure
Mixed: the Non-Immigrant O-A visa is for people aged 50 and over, valid one year; the embassy page names no path to permanent residence.
Source: Non-Immigrant O-A (long stay) visa. Checked 15 October 2026.
Internet
33 of 100WeakCountry figure
14.89 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people (2024).
Source: Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, Thailand. Checked 15 October 2026.
English
0 of 100WeakCountry figure
EF EPI 2025 score 402, below the 499 weak line.
Source: EF English Proficiency Index 2025: Thailand. Checked 15 October 2026.
Visa, United States passport
50 of 100MixedCountry figure
Mixed: The Destination Thailand Visa asks for no Thai job offer and has no age minimum, and its funds test is about THB 500,000 in the bank (about US$14,900 at the 9 October 2026 Bank of Thailand rate), well under the US$100,000 line. To be safe, have more than THB 510,000. It is valid for 5 years with multiple entries, but each stay is 180 days, extendable once by 180 days (about 360 days), just under the year the strong grade needs. The year-long Non-Immigrant O-A visa is for people aged 50 and over, and the Long-Term Resident visa asks for about US$80,000 a year in income. To be safe, have more than US$81,000 a year. Washington publishes the checklist for US applicants, with no nationality restriction.
Source: Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): requirements; Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): period of stay and extension; Non-Immigrant O-A (long stay) visa; Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa: qualifications and privileges. Checked 15 October 2026.
Visa, Canada passport
50 of 100MixedCountry figure
Mixed: The Destination Thailand Visa asks for no Thai job offer and has no age minimum, and its funds test is about THB 500,000 in the bank (about US$14,900 at the 9 October 2026 Bank of Thailand rate), well under the US$100,000 line. To be safe, have more than THB 510,000. It is valid for 5 years with multiple entries, but each stay is 180 days, extendable once by 180 days (about 360 days), just under the year the strong grade needs. The year-long Non-Immigrant O-A visa is for people aged 50 and over, and the Long-Term Resident visa asks for about US$80,000 a year in income. To be safe, have more than US$81,000 a year. The Vancouver consulate lists the same visa for Canadian applicants; it publishes the details as images, so the Washington and Helsinki pages are used for them.
Source: Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): requirements; Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): period of stay and extension; Non-Immigrant O-A (long stay) visa; Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa: qualifications and privileges; Thailand's new visa measures: Destination Thailand Visa (DTV). Checked 15 October 2026.
Visa, Australia passport
50 of 100MixedCountry figure
Mixed: The Destination Thailand Visa asks for no Thai job offer and has no age minimum, and its funds test is about THB 500,000 in the bank (about US$14,900 at the 9 October 2026 Bank of Thailand rate), well under the US$100,000 line. To be safe, have more than THB 510,000. It is valid for 5 years with multiple entries, but each stay is 180 days, extendable once by 180 days (about 360 days), just under the year the strong grade needs. The year-long Non-Immigrant O-A visa is for people aged 50 and over, and the Long-Term Resident visa asks for about US$80,000 a year in income. To be safe, have more than US$81,000 a year. Canberra (and Sydney for New South Wales) takes the application through the e-Visa system and publishes no checklist, so the Washington and Helsinki pages are used for the rules.
Source: Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): requirements; Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): period of stay and extension; Non-Immigrant O-A (long stay) visa; Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa: qualifications and privileges; Announcement: adjustment of supporting documents for Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) applications. Checked 15 October 2026.
Visa, New Zealand passport
50 of 100MixedCountry figure
Mixed: The Destination Thailand Visa asks for no Thai job offer and has no age minimum, and its funds test is about THB 500,000 in the bank (about US$14,900 at the 9 October 2026 Bank of Thailand rate), well under the US$100,000 line. To be safe, have more than THB 510,000. It is valid for 5 years with multiple entries, but each stay is 180 days, extendable once by 180 days (about 360 days), just under the year the strong grade needs. The year-long Non-Immigrant O-A visa is for people aged 50 and over, and the Long-Term Resident visa asks for about US$80,000 a year in income. To be safe, have more than US$81,000 a year. Wellington lists the same visa for New Zealand residents (5 years, multiple entry) and publishes no checklist, so the Washington and Helsinki pages are used for the rules.
Source: Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): requirements; Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): period of stay and extension; Non-Immigrant O-A (long stay) visa; Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa: qualifications and privileges; Types of visas (e-Visa applications). Checked 15 October 2026.
The country
More on Thailand.
Cities
Other cities in Thailand.
Questions about Chiang Mai.
How much does it cost to rent in Chiang Mai?
Four one-bedroom condo adverts seen on 10 October 2026 asked THB 10,000 to 18,000 a month; asking rents, not an average. A 2026 guide (private, not official) says most expats spend THB 25,000 to 52,500 a month in total. Fernshore has no measured Chiang Mai living-cost figure.
What are the weather and the air like in Chiang Mai?
Average daily highs run from 29.2 °C in December to 36.7 °C in April, and only January and December are 30 °C or less with little rain (Thai Meteorological Department, 1991–2020). Canada's travel advice says air pollution can be hazardous in Chiang Mai, with dry-season smog and agricultural burning.
Do I need a visa to live in Chiang Mai?
Visa rules are national. Visa-free entry is 30 days since 15 September 2026. For longer, the Destination Thailand Visa gives 180 days plus one 180-day extension and Washington asks for a set balance (to be safe, more than THB 510,000). Chiang Mai has its own immigration office on Airport Road.
How big is Chiang Mai, and is there an expat community?
Chiang Mai City Municipality had 111,809 registered residents in December 2025; the province has 1,798,588. InterNations shows 6,213 members in the city. A 2026 guide calls it the most established expat hub outside Bangkok; that is its opinion, not a headcount.
Is there an international school in Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai International School says classes began on 1 June 1954, it has been WASC accredited since 1987, and its students come from more than 30 countries. Fees, places and the quality of other schools are not covered by our research yet, so those are unknown.
Sources
Where each figure comes from.
Every figure on this page links to the page we read, with the date we checked it.
- [E1] Living in Chiang Mai: the complete expat guide, Thailand Starter Kit (private guide, not official). Checked 15 October 2026. Last modified 12 October 2026; opinion and description, no headcount or published ranking.
- [M1] Chiang Mai travel guide, Visit Thailand Today (private travel directory, not official). Checked 15 October 2026. Listing data updated 13 October 2026; names the slopes of Doi Suthep rising 1,600 metres to the west and calls the city surrounded by mountains.
- [V1] Immigration Offices in Thailand, Royal Thai Embassy, Brussels (list of Immigration Bureau offices; page imported 19 April 2024). Checked 15 October 2026. Lists the Chiang Mai Immigration Office (71 Moo 3, Airport Road, Suthep) and an airport checkpoint.
- [Chiang Mai S1] Our school: Chiang Mai International School, Chiang Mai International School. Checked 15 October 2026. The school's own site: classes began 1 June 1954; legal status as an international school since 1985; WASC accredited since 1987; students from more than 30 countries.
- [Chiang Mai C1] Expats in Chiang Mai, InterNations (private expat network, not official). Checked 15 October 2026. Page opened 15 October 2026: 6,213 members in Chiang Mai; Chiang Mai community group 7,582 members, 153 nationalities.
- [W1] Climate normals 1991–2020, Chiang Mai (WMO 48327), Thai Meteorological Department (WMO Climate Normals 1991–2020 via NOAA NCEI). Checked 15 October 2026. Monthly mean daily highs 29.2 to 36.7 °C; January 30.0 °C and 11.3 mm, December 29.2 °C and 14.1 mm; every other month has a high above 30 °C or 150 mm or more of rain.
- [N1] Registered population by district and local government area, December 2025 (B.E. 2568), Department of Provincial Administration, Ministry of Interior (Thailand). Checked 15 October 2026. Official registration statistics (text file in Thai, the same data the National Statistical Office yearbook prints). Row: 5099 | Thesaban Nakhon Chiang Mai | 111,809. Registered residents undercount people who live here without registering here.
- [Thailand C1] Price level index (GDP), Thailand, World Bank. Checked 15 October 2026. 2025: 30.69 (United States = 100), read from the World Bank API on 15 October 2026.
- [Thailand S1] Global Peace Index 2026, overall rank, Institute for Economics and Peace. Checked 15 October 2026. Thailand ranks 101st of 163 countries.
- [H1] UHC service coverage index (SDG 3.8.1), World Health Organization. Checked 15 October 2026. Thailand: 82 out of 100 (2023).
- [Q1] Expat Insider 2026: Ease of Settling In, InterNations (Expat Insider survey, private). Checked 15 October 2026. Thailand ranks 3rd of 31 countries.
- [Q2] Expat Insider 2026: Quality of Life, InterNations (Expat Insider survey, private). Checked 15 October 2026. Thailand ranks 21st of 31 countries.
- [K1] Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): requirements, Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C.. Checked 15 October 2026. Page updated 10 September 2026. Lists remote workers, Thai soft-power activities and family members; states no minimum age and no nationality restriction; five-year validity; bank statements ending each of the last three months at THB 500,000 or US$16,000; fee US$400; stay per entry not stated. Written for applicants living in the United States.
- [K2] Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people, Thailand, International Telecommunication Union, via the World Bank. Checked 15 October 2026. 2024: 14.89 per 100 people, read from the World Bank API on 15 October 2026.
- [R1] Non-Immigrant O-A (long stay) visa, Royal Thai Embassy, Washington D.C.. Checked 15 October 2026. Page updated 1 September 2026; for people aged 50 and over.
- [F1] EF English Proficiency Index 2025: Thailand, EF Education First (private test-taker index). Checked 15 October 2026. Score 402, rank 116 of 123 countries and regions, 'very low' proficiency band; the 2026 edition was not yet published on 15 October 2026.
- [V3] Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): period of stay and extension, Royal Thai Embassy, Helsinki. Checked 15 October 2026. Page updated 3 September 2026. Written for applicants in Finland and Estonia (fee in euros); used only for validity (5 years, multiple entries), 180 days per entry and the one 180-day extension, then leave and re-enter, which the Washington page does not state.
- [V4] Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa: qualifications and privileges, Thailand Board of Investment (BOI). Checked 15 October 2026. Work-from-Thailand Professionals: average personal income of US$80,000 a year over the past two years (US$40,000 to 80,000 with a master's degree or higher); 5 years, renewable for 5 more. The page shows no publication date.
- [V5] Thailand's new visa measures: Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), Royal Thai Consulate-General, Vancouver. Checked 15 October 2026. Used for Canadian applicants. The page is images only and opened on 15 October 2026 with a Destination Thailand Visa entry; its infographic (July 2024) gives THB 500,000 financial evidence, 180 days per entry and one 180-day extension. The Washington and Helsinki pages are used to confirm the details.
- [V6] Announcement: adjustment of supporting documents for Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) applications, Royal Thai Embassy, Canberra. Checked 15 October 2026. Used for Australian applicants. Posted 1 September 2026 as an image: it shows the DTV is open through Canberra, with new documents from 31 August 2026. Canberra publishes no text checklist or stay rules, so the Washington and Helsinki pages are used for those.
- [V7] Types of visas (e-Visa applications), Royal Thai Embassy, Wellington. Checked 15 October 2026. Used for New Zealand applicants. Page updated 23 July 2024: the DTV is open to residents of New Zealand, with a period of stay of 5 years with multiple entry. Wellington publishes no DTV checklist, so the Washington and Helsinki pages are used for the funds test and stay rules.