πA single person spends $1,014 per month in Batumi, Ajara vs $866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,536 per month in Batumi, Ajara vs $1,351 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,058 per month in Batumi, Ajara vs $1,835 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πBatumi, Ajara costs about 17% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Batumi, Ajara and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median β Batumi, Ajara24% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Batumi, Ajara
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.01βΎ23.93
$1.94ΰΈΏ63.5
364.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$29.81βΎ79.2
$18.64ΰΈΏ609
59.92%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.36βΎ19.55
$7.82ΰΈΏ255
-5.88%
Cappuccino
$2.81βΎ7.47
$1.95ΰΈΏ63.8
44.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79βΎ2.11
$0.85ΰΈΏ27.77
-7.06%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.41βΎ1.09
$0.35ΰΈΏ11.58
17.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.49βΎ3.96
$2.13ΰΈΏ69.6
-30.05%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18βΎ5.78
$3.73ΰΈΏ122
-41.55%
π Groceries & Markets
Batumi, Ajara
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.81βΎ4.81
$1.71ΰΈΏ56.0
5.85%
White Bread(500g)
$0.51βΎ1.35
$1.63ΰΈΏ53.2
-68.71%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.58βΎ4.19
$1.14ΰΈΏ37.15
38.60%
Eggs
$2.25βΎ5.97
$1.93ΰΈΏ63.1
16.58%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.72βΎ17.84
$16.21ΰΈΏ530
-58.54%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.02βΎ13.33
$3.12ΰΈΏ102
60.90%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.09βΎ24.14
$10.90ΰΈΏ356
-16.61%
Apples(1kg)
$1.10βΎ2.93
$2.75ΰΈΏ90.0
-60.00%
Banana(1kg)
$1.49βΎ3.97
$1.21ΰΈΏ39.52
23.14%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.34βΎ3.56
$1.62ΰΈΏ53.0
-17.28%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.76βΎ4.66
$1.59ΰΈΏ51.8
10.69%
Potato(1kg)
$0.56βΎ1.49
$1.40ΰΈΏ45.70
-60.00%
Onion(1kg)
$0.51βΎ1.37
$1.17ΰΈΏ38.17
-56.41%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.31βΎ3.47
$0.66ΰΈΏ21.60
98.48%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63βΎ1.68
$0.53ΰΈΏ17.22
18.87%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.00βΎ7.96
$4.69ΰΈΏ153
-36.03%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.67βΎ15.04
$18.66ΰΈΏ609
-69.61%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.25βΎ3.33
$1.80ΰΈΏ58.8
-30.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97βΎ5.24
$3.23ΰΈΏ106
-39.01%
π Getting Around
Batumi, Ajara
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.12βΎ0.32
$0.90ΰΈΏ29.26
-86.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$7.42βΎ19.70
$19.21ΰΈΏ628
-61.37%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.07βΎ2.85
$1.41ΰΈΏ45.91
-24.11%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.69βΎ1.83
$1.29ΰΈΏ42.12
-46.51%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.95βΎ7.84
$7.84ΰΈΏ256
-62.37%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.16βΎ3.07
$1.27ΰΈΏ41.58
-8.66%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$14.6KβΎ38.9K
$21.3KΰΈΏ694.9K
-31.15%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.6KβΎ49.3K
$22.2KΰΈΏ725.4K
-16.48%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Batumi, Ajara
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$74.2βΎ197
$69.1ΰΈΏ2,256
7.43%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.23βΎ27.17
$14.08ΰΈΏ460
-27.34%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.25βΎ45.81
$18.00ΰΈΏ588
-4.17%
π Sport & Entertainment
Batumi, Ajara
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.93βΎ127
$41.06ΰΈΏ1,341
16.73%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.33βΎ32.74
$6.96ΰΈΏ227
77.16%
Cinema Ticket
$5.35βΎ14.21
$5.92ΰΈΏ193
-9.63%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Batumi, Ajara
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$244βΎ647
$299ΰΈΏ9,766
-18.55%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,920βΎ7,753
$15.0KΰΈΏ488.3K
-80.47%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Batumi, Ajara
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$86.0βΎ228
$54.7ΰΈΏ1,787
57.20%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.68βΎ108
$26.77ΰΈΏ874
51.96%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$121βΎ320
$85.0ΰΈΏ2,776
41.86%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106βΎ282
$70.6ΰΈΏ2,306
50.47%
π Accommodation & Living
Batumi, Ajara
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$489βΎ1,299
$428ΰΈΏ14.0K
14.25%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$355βΎ942
$237ΰΈΏ7,752
49.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$942βΎ2,502
$801ΰΈΏ26.2K
17.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$622βΎ1,651
$515ΰΈΏ16.8K
20.60%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,481βΎ3,932
$1,975ΰΈΏ64.5K
-25.00%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,056βΎ2,803
$1,475ΰΈΏ48.2K
-28.44%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Batumi, Ajara
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$579βΎ1,537
$617ΰΈΏ20.2K
-6.27%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.17
5
143.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Batumi, Ajara: June 1, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $489 in Batumi, Ajara versus $428 in Chiang Mai. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 7% higher in Chiang Mai, which reinforces the cost advantage β you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $30.00 in Batumi, Ajara versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story β $177 in Batumi, Ajara vs $246 in Chiang Mai β so Batumi, Ajara wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
Batumi, Ajara vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Batumi, Ajara and Chiang Mai compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,014 in Batumi, Ajara, $866 in Chiang Mai β roughly 17% apart. Batumi, Ajara costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Batumi, Ajara compared to Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,521 per month in Batumi, Ajara and $1,300 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Batumi, Ajara and Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Chiang Mai, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Batumi, Ajara or Chiang Mai?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,014 in Batumi, Ajara and $866 in Chiang Mai. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do commuting costs compare in Batumi, Ajara and Chiang Mai?
Public transport costs about 159% less in Chiang Mai. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $866, than in Batumi, Ajara at $1,014. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Batumi, Ajara it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Batumi, Ajara and Chiang Mai?
It depends on your priorities. Batumi, Ajara has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $866 in Chiang Mai to $1,014 in Batumi, Ajara. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Batumi, Ajara or Chiang Mai safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Batumi, Ajara and Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Batumi, Ajara makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Batumi, Ajara vs other spots: cost of living compared