😐A single person spends $1,260 per month in Burgas vs $947 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,889 per month in Burgas vs $1,411 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,517 per month in Burgas vs $1,874 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐Burgas costs about 33% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Burgas and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Burgas8% lower, Chiang Mai31% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Burgas
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.36BGN 23.88
$2.08฿69.4
590.38%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.65BGN 80.9
$19.64฿654
147.71%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.72BGN 17.84
$5.65฿188
89.73%
Cappuccino
$3.51BGN 5.83
$1.81฿60.1
93.92%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.11BGN 1.85
$0.71฿23.75
56.34%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77BGN 1.28
$0.32฿10.52
140.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.07BGN 3.44
$2.24฿74.5
-7.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07BGN 5.10
$3.63฿121
-15.43%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Burgas
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.75BGN 2.92
$1.96฿65.2
-10.71%
White Bread(500g)
$0.95BGN 1.58
$1.50฿50.0
-36.67%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.18BGN 3.62
$1.34฿44.49
62.69%
Eggs
$3.57BGN 5.94
$2.26฿75.4
57.96%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.22BGN 15.34
$16.26฿541
-43.30%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.13BGN 13.52
$2.95฿98.4
175.59%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.43BGN 19.01
$9.94฿331
14.99%
Apples(1kg)
$2.26BGN 3.76
$2.57฿85.7
-12.06%
Banana(1kg)
$2.11BGN 3.52
$1.06฿35.18
99.06%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.07BGN 3.45
$1.61฿53.7
28.57%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.80BGN 4.66
$1.52฿50.6
84.21%
Potato(1kg)
$1.41BGN 2.35
$1.27฿42.30
11.02%
Onion(1kg)
$1.45BGN 2.42
$1.07฿35.51
35.51%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.99BGN 1.64
$0.72฿23.98
37.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.78BGN 1.30
$0.51฿16.94
52.94%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.81BGN 6.34
$4.19฿140
-9.07%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.33BGN 12.19
$17.87฿595
-58.98%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.06BGN 1.77
$1.69฿56.4
-37.28%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.93BGN 3.21
$2.84฿94.5
-32.04%
🚌 Getting Around
Burgas
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.93BGN 1.54
$0.93฿30.82
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$35.41BGN 58.9
$53.9฿1,794
-34.26%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.77BGN 2.95
$1.23฿41.11
43.90%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.77BGN 1.28
$0.58฿19.20
32.76%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$12.40BGN 20.63
$2.42฿80.7
412.40%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.74BGN 2.89
$1.41฿47.03
23.40%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.5KBGN 52.3K
$21.4K฿714.1K
46.69%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.3KBGN 38.7K
$27.3K฿910.2K
-14.87%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Burgas
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$111BGN 184
$63.7฿2,120
73.57%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$15.26BGN 25.39
$12.85฿428
18.75%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$12.28BGN 20.42
$20.22฿673
-39.27%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Burgas
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.50BGN 65.7
$38.74฿1,290
1.96%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.85BGN 24.71
$3.97฿132
274.06%
Cinema Ticket
$8.81BGN 14.65
$6.74฿224
30.71%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Burgas
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$236BGN 393
$778฿25.9K
-69.66%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.7KBGN 26.1K
$14.6K฿486.5K
7.37%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Burgas
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.0BGN 99.8
$54.3฿1,808
10.46%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.07BGN 51.7
$25.45฿847
22.08%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$72.5BGN 121
$94.3฿3,141
-23.11%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.3BGN 127
$73.4฿2,446
3.88%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Burgas
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$534BGN 888
$490฿16.3K
9.03%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$431BGN 716
$289฿9,634
48.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$835BGN 1,389
$894฿29.8K
-6.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$648BGN 1,079
$517฿17.2K
25.40%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,676BGN 4,452
$1,955฿65.1K
36.87%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,933BGN 3,216
$1,477฿49.2K
30.89%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Burgas
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,016BGN 1,690
$602฿20.0K
68.70%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.25
5.57
-41.65%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Burgas: August 30, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $534 in Burgas versus $490 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.
💰Salaries run about 69% higher in Burgas, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $49.00 in Burgas versus $20.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $243 vs $240 – making Chiang Mai the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Burgas vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Burgas and in Chiang Mai compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,260 in Burgas, $947 in Chiang Mai – roughly 33% apart. Burgas costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Burgas compared to Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,890 per month in Burgas and $1,421 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Burgas 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.
How do commuting costs compare in Burgas and in Chiang Mai?
Public transport costs about 52% less in Chiang Mai. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Burgas and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $236 per month in Burgas and $778 in Chiang Mai. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
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 $947, than in Burgas at $1,260. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Burgas it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Burgas and Chiang Mai?
It depends on your priorities. Burgas has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $947 in Chiang Mai to $1,260 in Burgas. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Burgas 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 – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Burgas and Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Burgas makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.