Best Cities in Thailand to Live In 2026
2 cities ranked by Livability Score — affordability, safety, internet, democracy & climate.
Chiang Mai
74/100Bangkok
72/100Compare cities in Thailand
❓ Living in Thailand — Common Questions
What is the best city to live in Thailand?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Chiang Mai ranks #1 in Thailand with a score of 74/100, and city-centre rent from around $451/month.
What is the safest city in Thailand?▾
By UNODC homicide rate data, Chiang Mai is the safest city in Thailand in our database, with a rate of 3 per 100,000 people.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or Bangkok?▾
Chiang Mai scores 74/100 on our Livability Score vs 72/100 for Bangkok. Rent is $451/mo in Chiang Mai vs $674/mo in Bangkok. See the full comparison at the bottom of this page.
How do I get long-term residency or a visa to live in Thailand?▾
Thailand offers the Thailand LTR Visa (complex process). Duration: 10 years. Key requirement: Remote workers: income ≥ $40k/yr + 5 years with current employer. Tax benefits included.. The process is complex. Check individual city pages for full details.