Koh Tao vs Chiang Mai
📶
Chiang Mai has 2x faster internet
🌡️
Tropical Wet vs Tropical Monsoon climate
💰 Cost of Living Breakdown
Monthly expenses comparison in USD
Expense
Koh Tao
Chiang Mai
Total Budget
$1,200/mo
$1,000/mo ✓
Rent (1BR)
$450/mo
$350/mo ✓
Coworking
$100/mo ✓
$120/mo
Meal Out
$3
$3
Coffee
$3
$2.5 ✓
Chiang Mai is $200/mo cheaper (20% savings)
💻 Remote Work Essentials
Internet, timezone, and language comparison
🇹🇭 Koh Tao
📶 Internet50 Mbps
🕐 TimezoneUTC+7
🗣️ Englishmedium
🛂 Nomad VisaAvailable
Working hours overlap:
🇺🇸 US West0h
🇺🇸 US East0h
🇬🇧 London4h
🇩🇪 Berlin5h
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
📶 Internet75 Mbps
🕐 TimezoneUTC+7
🗣️ Englishmedium
🛂 Nomad VisaAvailable
Working hours overlap:
🇺🇸 US West0h
🇺🇸 US East0h
🇬🇧 London4h
🇩🇪 Berlin5h
🌡️ Climate Comparison
Weather patterns and best times to visit
Koh Tao
ClimateTropical Wet
Avg Temp28°C
Rainy Days197/year
Best months: January, March, February, April
Chiang Mai
ClimateTropical Monsoon
Avg Temp26°C
Rainy Days175/year
Best months: March, April, January, February
Quarterly Temperatures
Jan
27°22°
Apr
29°30°
Jul
28°27°
Oct
27°26°
Koh TaoChiang Mai
📊 Full Comparison
Category
🇹🇭Koh Tao
🇹🇭Chiang Mai
💰
Monthly Budget
$1,200
$1,000
Winner📶
Internet Speed
50 Mbps
75 Mbps
Winner🛡️
Safety
3.5/5
4.3/5
Winner⭐
Nomad Score
3.9/10
4.7/10
Winner🍽️
Food Scene
7/10
9/10
Winner🎉
Nightlife
7/10
7/10
🚶
Walkability
5/10
6/10
👥
Community
small
very large
Winner0
Koh Tao wins
vs
6
Chiang Mai wins
Which City is Right for You?
Recommendations based on your nomad style
💵Budget Nomad
Chiang Mai
$200/mo cheaper with similar quality of life
💻Developer
Either works
Both have adequate internet for development work
🦋Social Butterfly
Chiang Mai
Larger nomad community for networking
🛡️Safety-First
Chiang Mai
Significantly higher safety rating
🍜Foodie
Chiang Mai
Better food scene with incredible variety
🎉Party Person
Either works
Both have great nightlife
🇹🇭Koh Tao
Pros
- +World capital of scuba diving with affordable PADI certifications
- +Stunning beaches and crystal clear turquoise waters perfect for snorkeling
- +Very affordable cost of living with budget-friendly accommodation
- +Small compact island means everything is easily accessible
Cons
- −Controversial safety reputation due to past mysterious tourist deaths
- −Power outages are common and can disrupt remote work productivity
- −Limited coworking options compared to larger destinations
- −Scooter is essential as there is no public transport on island
🇹🇭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