ðMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,405 in Bardejov versus $852 in Chiang Mai.
ðEstimated couple costs with rent: $2,786 in Bardejov versus $1,354 in Chiang Mai.
ðMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,166 in Bardejov versus $1,857 in Chiang Mai.
ðLiving in Bardejov is roughly 65% more expensive than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðThe two cities straddle the global median: Bardejov is 5% above, Chiang Mai is 36% below.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Bardejov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.56âŽ6.47
$1.96āļŋ64.0
285.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.63âŽ21.94
$18.81āļŋ615
36.26%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.34âŽ8.00
$7.92āļŋ259
17.93%
Cappuccino
$2.14âŽ1.83
$1.91āļŋ62.6
12.04%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.43âŽ1.22
$0.84āļŋ27.41
70.24%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.67âŽ0.58
$0.35āļŋ11.51
91.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.84âŽ1.58
$2.21āļŋ72.1
-16.74%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28âŽ1.95
$3.80āļŋ124
-40.00%
ð Groceries & Markets
Bardejov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.11âŽ0.95
$1.64āļŋ53.5
-32.32%
White Bread(500g)
$1.43âŽ1.23
$1.62āļŋ53.1
-11.73%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.72âŽ1.47
$1.18āļŋ38.62
45.76%
Eggs
$3.63âŽ3.10
$2.01āļŋ65.8
80.60%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.03âŽ13.72
$15.89āļŋ520
0.88%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.84âŽ5.86
$3.01āļŋ98.5
127.24%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.92âŽ11.06
$10.77āļŋ352
19.96%
Apples(1kg)
$1.20âŽ1.03
$2.61āļŋ85.5
-54.02%
Banana(1kg)
$1.68âŽ1.44
$1.22āļŋ39.88
37.70%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.35âŽ2.01
$1.70āļŋ55.7
38.24%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.47âŽ2.11
$1.58āļŋ51.5
56.33%
Potato(1kg)
$1.04âŽ0.89
$1.32āļŋ43.14
-21.21%
Onion(1kg)
$1.14âŽ0.98
$1.17āļŋ38.23
-2.56%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.68âŽ1.44
$0.67āļŋ21.98
150.75%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.83âŽ0.71
$0.56āļŋ18.32
48.21%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.86âŽ5.01
$4.53āļŋ148
29.36%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.04âŽ5.17
$18.20āļŋ595
-66.81%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.06âŽ0.91
$1.83āļŋ60.0
-42.08%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.42âŽ1.21
$3.23āļŋ106
-56.04%
ð Getting Around
Bardejov
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.67âŽ0.57
$0.89āļŋ29.00
-24.72%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$28.41âŽ24.32
$19.38āļŋ634
46.59%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.37âŽ1.17
$1.35āļŋ44.20
1.48%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.23âŽ1.05
$1.35āļŋ44.05
-8.89%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$23.57âŽ20.18
$8.25āļŋ270
185.70%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.75âŽ1.50
$1.27āļŋ41.64
37.80%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.4KâŽ20.9K
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
15.55%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.4KâŽ21.7K
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
12.87%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bardejov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$318âŽ272
$70.2āļŋ2,294
353.27%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.27âŽ14.79
$13.77āļŋ450
25.42%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.70âŽ16.86
$17.60āļŋ575
11.93%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Bardejov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$28.87âŽ24.71
$41.57āļŋ1,360
-30.55%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.33âŽ14.84
$6.60āļŋ216
162.58%
Cinema Ticket
$8.98âŽ7.69
$5.78āļŋ189
55.36%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Bardejov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$460âŽ394
$306āļŋ10.0K
50.18%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,396âŽ6,331
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
-50.11%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Bardejov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$68.8âŽ58.9
$54.4āļŋ1,778
26.56%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.18âŽ20.70
$26.14āļŋ855
-7.50%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$75.3âŽ64.5
$84.5āļŋ2,764
-10.89%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$105âŽ90.2
$69.4āļŋ2,270
51.71%
ð Accommodation & Living
Bardejov
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$585âŽ501
$424āļŋ13.9K
38.07%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$454âŽ389
$238āļŋ7,788
90.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,150âŽ984
$825āļŋ27.0K
39.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,280âŽ1,951
$515āļŋ16.8K
342.47%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,969âŽ1,686
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
-3.90%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,549âŽ1,326
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
1.71%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Bardejov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$908âŽ777
$635āļŋ20.8K
42.95%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.4
5
-12.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bardejov: April 26, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $585 in Bardejov and $424 in Chiang Mai. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
ð°Bardejov pays 43% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
ðDining out: $26.00 in Bardejov vs $19.00 in Chiang Mai for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $248 vs $243 per month, with Chiang Mai cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Bardejov vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Bardejov and Chiang Mai?
Bardejov and Chiang Mai differ by about 65% in total monthly costs ($1,405 vs $852 including rent). Chiang Mai is meaningfully more affordable â a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Bardejov or Chiang Mai?
Bardejov pays 43% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Bardejov and Chiang Mai?
Rent for a central apartment: $585 in Bardejov versus $424 in Chiang Mai. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Bardejov and Chiang Mai?
Childcare runs $460 in Bardejov versus $306 in Chiang Mai. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 2% higher in Bardejov. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $852 in Chiang Mai versus $1,405 in Bardejov, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Chiang Mai but tight or insufficient in Bardejov. The gap between the two cities makes Chiang Mai the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Bardejov and Chiang Mai?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better â the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Bardejov or Chiang Mai safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Bardejov and Chiang Mai are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Bardejov or Chiang Mai?
Expats usually find Chiang Mai gentler on the wallet â expenses run 65% less than in Bardejov. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.