ðMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,468 in Bjelovar versus $852 in Chiang Mai.
ðEstimated couple costs with rent: $2,256 in Bjelovar versus $1,354 in Chiang Mai.
ðMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,044 in Bjelovar versus $1,857 in Chiang Mai.
ðLiving in Bjelovar is roughly 72% more expensive than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðThe two cities straddle the global median: Bjelovar is 10% above, Chiang Mai is 36% below.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Bjelovar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.66âŽ10.81
$1.96āļŋ63.6
545.92%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.9âŽ59.7
$18.81āļŋ611
271.66%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.54âŽ9.00
$7.92āļŋ258
33.08%
Cappuccino
$2.34âŽ1.99
$1.91āļŋ62.2
22.51%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.46âŽ2.95
$0.84āļŋ27.25
311.90%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18âŽ1.87
$0.35āļŋ11.44
522.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.22âŽ3.60
$2.21āļŋ71.7
90.95%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.88âŽ4.16
$3.80āļŋ124
28.42%
ð Groceries & Markets
Bjelovar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.18âŽ1.01
$1.64āļŋ53.2
-28.05%
White Bread(500g)
$1.54âŽ1.31
$1.62āļŋ52.8
-4.94%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.13âŽ3.52
$1.18āļŋ38.40
250.00%
Eggs
$3.58âŽ3.06
$2.01āļŋ65.4
78.11%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.03âŽ13.69
$15.89āļŋ517
0.88%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.77âŽ9.20
$3.01āļŋ98.0
257.81%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.30âŽ12.21
$10.77āļŋ350
32.78%
Apples(1kg)
$1.66âŽ1.42
$2.61āļŋ85.0
-36.40%
Banana(1kg)
$1.72âŽ1.47
$1.22āļŋ39.65
40.98%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.73âŽ1.47
$1.70āļŋ55.4
1.76%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.55âŽ2.18
$1.58āļŋ51.2
61.39%
Potato(1kg)
$1.25âŽ1.06
$1.32āļŋ42.89
-5.30%
Onion(1kg)
$1.28âŽ1.09
$1.17āļŋ38.01
9.40%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.09âŽ0.93
$0.67āļŋ21.85
62.69%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.22âŽ1.04
$0.56āļŋ18.21
117.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.82âŽ4.97
$4.53āļŋ147
28.48%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.20âŽ7.01
$18.20āļŋ592
-54.95%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.62âŽ1.38
$1.83āļŋ59.6
-11.48%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.02âŽ1.72
$3.23āļŋ105
-37.46%
ð Getting Around
Bjelovar
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.70âŽ1.46
$0.89āļŋ28.83
91.01%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$42.77âŽ36.52
$19.38āļŋ630
120.69%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.00âŽ2.56
$1.35āļŋ43.95
122.22%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.33âŽ1.14
$1.35āļŋ43.79
-1.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.16âŽ7.82
$8.25āļŋ268
11.03%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.65âŽ1.41
$1.27āļŋ41.40
29.92%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.8KâŽ32.3K
$21.2Kāļŋ687.8K
78.61%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9KâŽ22.1K
$22.5Kāļŋ731.0K
15.30%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bjelovar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$187âŽ160
$70.2āļŋ2,281
167.04%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.76âŽ19.44
$13.77āļŋ448
65.29%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.05âŽ28.23
$17.60āļŋ572
87.78%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Bjelovar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.0âŽ44.44
$41.57āļŋ1,352
25.19%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.51âŽ12.39
$6.60āļŋ215
119.85%
Cinema Ticket
$9.52âŽ8.13
$5.78āļŋ188
64.71%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Bjelovar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$292âŽ249
$306āļŋ9,953
-4.75%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,196âŽ6,999
$14.8Kāļŋ482.0K
-44.72%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Bjelovar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.4âŽ49.01
$54.4āļŋ1,768
5.55%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.04âŽ29.07
$26.14āļŋ850
30.22%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$98.7âŽ84.3
$84.5āļŋ2,748
16.76%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$103âŽ87.8
$69.4āļŋ2,257
48.02%
ð Accommodation & Living
Bjelovar
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$674âŽ575
$424āļŋ13.8K
59.05%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$464âŽ396
$238āļŋ7,743
94.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,061âŽ906
$825āļŋ26.8K
28.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$762âŽ651
$515āļŋ16.7K
48.00%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,045âŽ3,454
$2,049āļŋ66.6K
97.38%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,530âŽ2,161
$1,523āļŋ49.5K
66.15%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Bjelovar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$635āļŋ20.6K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.63
5
-7.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bjelovar: April 25, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $674 in Bjelovar and $424 in Chiang Mai. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
ðDining out: $70.0 in Bjelovar vs $19.00 in Chiang Mai for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $295 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
Bjelovar vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Bjelovar and Chiang Mai?
Bjelovar and Chiang Mai differ by about 72% in total monthly costs ($1,468 vs $852 including rent). Chiang Mai is meaningfully more affordable â a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Bjelovar compared to Chiang Mai?
You'd need roughly $2,202 in Bjelovar and $1,278 in Chiang Mai to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Bjelovar and Chiang Mai?
Rent for a central apartment: $674 in Bjelovar versus $424 in Chiang Mai. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Chiang Mai â a meal for two runs $19.00 versus $70.0 in Bjelovar. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Bjelovar or Chiang Mai?
All in, you'll spend $1,468 per month in Bjelovar versus $852 in Chiang Mai â a 72% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $852 in Chiang Mai versus $1,468 in Bjelovar, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Chiang Mai but tight or insufficient in Bjelovar. The gap between the two cities makes Chiang Mai the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Bjelovar 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 Bjelovar or Chiang Mai safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Bjelovar 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: Bjelovar or Chiang Mai?
Expats usually find Chiang Mai gentler on the wallet â expenses run 72% less than in Bjelovar. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.