😐A single person spends $1,134 per month in Burgas vs $866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,714 per month in Burgas vs $1,351 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,294 per month in Burgas vs $1,835 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐Burgas costs about 31% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Burgas and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Burgas15% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Burgas
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.93BGN 19.85
$1.94฿63.5
514.95%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$41.19BGN 68.5
$18.64฿609
120.98%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.95BGN 14.89
$7.82฿255
14.45%
Cappuccino
$2.55BGN 4.25
$1.95฿63.8
30.77%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.31BGN 2.18
$0.85฿27.77
54.12%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.65BGN 1.08
$0.35฿11.58
85.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.00BGN 3.32
$2.13฿69.6
-6.10%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.98BGN 4.96
$3.73฿122
-20.11%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Burgas
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.66BGN 2.76
$1.71฿56.0
-2.92%
White Bread(500g)
$0.93BGN 1.55
$1.63฿53.2
-42.94%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.95BGN 3.24
$1.14฿37.15
71.05%
Eggs
$3.36BGN 5.59
$1.93฿63.1
74.09%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.66BGN 16.06
$16.21฿530
-40.41%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.91BGN 13.16
$3.12฿102
153.53%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.53BGN 19.18
$10.90฿356
5.78%
Apples(1kg)
$1.96BGN 3.27
$2.75฿90.0
-28.73%
Banana(1kg)
$2.07BGN 3.44
$1.21฿39.52
71.07%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01BGN 3.34
$1.62฿53.0
24.07%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.57BGN 4.27
$1.59฿51.8
61.64%
Potato(1kg)
$1.44BGN 2.39
$1.40฿45.70
2.86%
Onion(1kg)
$1.31BGN 2.17
$1.17฿38.17
11.97%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.02BGN 1.69
$0.66฿21.60
54.55%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.77BGN 1.28
$0.53฿17.22
45.28%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.52BGN 5.85
$4.69฿153
-24.95%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.68BGN 11.12
$18.66฿609
-64.20%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.02BGN 1.70
$1.80฿58.8
-43.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.73BGN 2.88
$3.23฿106
-46.44%
🚌 Getting Around
Burgas
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.90BGN 1.50
$0.90฿29.26
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$34.91BGN 58.1
$19.21฿628
81.73%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.21BGN 2.01
$1.41฿45.91
-14.18%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.67BGN 1.11
$1.29฿42.12
-48.06%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.22BGN 21.99
$7.84฿256
68.62%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.54BGN 2.57
$1.27฿41.58
21.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.1KBGN 53.5K
$21.3K฿694.9K
51.03%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.0KBGN 43.2K
$22.2K฿725.4K
16.88%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Burgas
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$93.3BGN 155
$69.1฿2,256
35.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.36BGN 27.21
$14.08฿460
16.19%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.05BGN 23.37
$18.00฿588
-21.94%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Burgas
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$30.89BGN 51.4
$41.06฿1,341
-24.77%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.05BGN 25.03
$6.96฿227
116.24%
Cinema Ticket
$8.65BGN 14.39
$5.92฿193
46.11%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Burgas
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$234BGN 388
$299฿9,766
-21.91%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,083BGN 6,793
$15.0K฿488.3K
-72.69%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Burgas
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.6BGN 99.1
$54.7฿1,787
8.87%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.36BGN 70.5
$26.77฿874
58.24%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$80.9BGN 135
$85.0฿2,776
-4.78%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.6BGN 119
$70.6฿2,306
1.43%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Burgas
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$508BGN 845
$428฿14.0K
18.63%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$386BGN 643
$237฿7,752
62.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$885BGN 1,472
$801฿26.2K
10.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$615BGN 1,023
$515฿16.8K
19.30%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,512BGN 4,179
$1,975฿64.5K
27.21%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,817BGN 3,023
$1,475฿48.2K
23.18%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Burgas
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,024BGN 1,703
$617฿20.2K
65.81%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.57
5
-8.60%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Burgas: May 30, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $508 in Burgas 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.
💰Salaries run about 66% 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 $41.00 in Burgas versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $236 in Burgas vs $246 in Chiang Mai – so Burgas 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
Burgas vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Burgas and Chiang Mai compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,134 in Burgas, $866 in Chiang Mai – roughly 31% 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 $1,700 per month in Burgas and $1,300 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 Chiang Mai?
Public transport costs about 82% 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 $234 per month in Burgas and $299 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 $866, than in Burgas at $1,134. 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 $866 in Chiang Mai to $1,134 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.