Chiang MaivsJakarta
🌡️
Tropical Monsoon vs Tropical Wet climate
Different weather patterns year-round
💰 Cost of Living Breakdown
Monthly expenses comparison in USD
Expense
Chiang Mai
Jakarta
Total Budget
$1,000/mo
$950/mo ✓
Rent (1BR)
$350/mo ✓
$500/mo
Coworking
$120/mo
$80/mo ✓
Meal Out
$3
$2 ✓
Coffee
$2.5
$2 ✓
Jakarta is $50/mo cheaper (5% savings)
💻 Remote Work Essentials
Internet, timezone, and language comparison
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
📶 Internet75 Mbps
🕐 TimezoneUTC+7
🗣️ Englishmedium
🛂 Nomad VisaAvailable
Working hours overlap:
🇺🇸 US West0h
🇺🇸 US East0h
🇬🇧 London4h
🇩🇪 Berlin5h
🇮🇩 Jakarta
📶 Internet60 Mbps
🕐 TimezoneUTC+7
🗣️ Englishlow
🛂 Nomad VisaAvailable
Working hours overlap:
🇺🇸 US West0h
🇺🇸 US East0h
🇬🇧 London4h
🇩🇪 Berlin5h
🌡️ Climate Comparison
Weather patterns and best times to visit
Chiang Mai
ClimateTropical Monsoon
Avg Temp26°C
Rainy Days175/year
Best months: March, April, January, February
Jakarta
ClimateTropical Wet
Avg Temp27°C
Rainy Days270/year
Best months: July, August, September
Quarterly Temperatures
Jan
22°27°
Apr
30°27°
Jul
27°27°
Oct
26°28°
Chiang MaiJakarta
📊 Full Comparison
Category
🇹🇭Chiang Mai
🇮🇩Jakarta
💰
Monthly Budget
$1,000
$950
📶
Internet Speed
75 Mbps
Winner60 Mbps
🛡️
Safety
4.3/5
Winner3.5/5
⭐
Nomad Score
4.7/10
Winner3.5/10
🍽️
Food Scene
9/10
9/10
🎉
Nightlife
7/10
7/10
🚶
Walkability
6/10
Winner3/10
👥
Community
very large
large
4
Chiang Mai wins
vs
0
Jakarta wins
Which City is Right for You?
Recommendations based on your nomad style
💵Budget Nomad
Either works
Similar costs - choose based on other factors
💻Developer
Either works
Both have adequate internet for development work
🦋Social Butterfly
Either works
Similar social opportunities
🛡️Safety-First
Chiang Mai
Significantly higher safety rating
🍜Foodie
Either works
Both have great food scenes
🎉Party Person
Either works
Both have great nightlife
🇹🇭Chiang Mai
Pros
- +Very affordable cost of living ($600-1,200/month)
- +Large digital nomad community
- +Excellent coworking spaces (Punspace, CAMP)
- +Amazing Thai food everywhere
Cons
- −Air quality issues (Mar-Apr burning season)
- −Very hot and humid (Mar-May)
- −Heavy rainy season (Jun-Oct)
- −Limited international flights
🇮🇩Jakarta
Pros
- +Very affordable cost of living under $1000/month possible
- +Massive selection of coworking spaces and cafes
- +Incredible street food scene with diverse cuisines
- +Modern MRT system and cheap Gojek/Grab rides under $1
Cons
- −Severe traffic congestion - plan routes carefully
- −Poor air quality especially during dry season
- −Very low walkability - need transport everywhere
- −English not widely spoken outside business areas
