😐A single person spends $1,631 per month in Chania vs $1,554 in Thessaloniki, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,607 per month in Chania vs $2,354 in Thessaloniki, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,583 per month in Chania vs $3,155 in Thessaloniki, rent included.
😐Chania costs about 5% more than Thessaloniki, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both Chania and Thessaloniki sit above the global median – Chania by 22%, Thessaloniki by 16%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chania
Thessaloniki
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$16.32€14.28
$17.08€14.94
-4.45%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$57.3€50.1
$57.3€50.1
0.10%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.62€10.17
$10.55€9.23
10.14%
Cappuccino
$4.25€3.71
$4.45€3.89
-4.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.53€2.21
$2.38€2.08
6.30%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72€0.63
$0.59€0.52
22.03%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.65€4.07
$5.77€5.05
-19.41%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.30€4.64
$5.87€5.14
-9.71%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chania
Thessaloniki
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.83€1.60
$1.46€1.28
25.34%
White Bread(500g)
$1.47€1.29
$1.46€1.28
0.68%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.57€3.12
$2.42€2.12
47.52%
Eggs
$4.66€4.07
$4.20€3.67
10.95%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.03€15.78
$13.47€11.78
33.85%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.36€8.19
$11.06€9.68
-15.37%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.20€13.30
$14.86€13.00
2.29%
Apples(1kg)
$2.14€1.87
$2.01€1.76
6.47%
Banana(1kg)
$2.23€1.95
$1.86€1.62
19.89%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.48€1.29
$1.68€1.47
-11.90%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.96€1.72
$2.38€2.08
-17.65%
Potato(1kg)
$1.35€1.19
$1.26€1.10
7.14%
Onion(1kg)
$1.04€0.91
$1.33€1.16
-21.80%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.23€1.08
$1.04€0.91
18.27%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.18€1.03
$0.82€0.72
43.90%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.68€4.97
$5.26€4.60
7.98%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.02€7.89
$10.93€9.56
-17.47%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.07€1.81
$2.03€1.78
1.97%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.70€2.36
$2.82€2.47
-4.26%
🚌 Getting Around
Chania
Thessaloniki
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.95€1.71
$1.05€0.92
85.71%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$56.9€49.76
$31.21€27.30
82.22%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.03€3.53
$4.70€4.12
-14.26%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.91€0.80
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.48€11.79
$32.11€28.09
-58.02%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.15€1.88
$2.13€1.86
0.94%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.8K€30.5K
$31.7K€27.7K
9.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.4K€20.5K
$31.4K€27.5K
-25.56%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chania
Thessaloniki
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$166€145
$215€188
-22.62%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.27€20.36
$25.87€22.63
-10.05%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.48€30.16
$31.15€27.26
10.69%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chania
Thessaloniki
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$56.3€49.29
$43.87€38.38
28.40%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$56.8€49.67
$18.18€15.91
212.27%
Cinema Ticket
$9.46€8.28
$9.99€8.74
-5.31%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chania
Thessaloniki
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$461€404
$423€370
9.00%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,927€6,061
$8,336€7,294
-16.90%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chania
Thessaloniki
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$80.3€70.3
$83.0€72.6
-3.16%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.19€28.16
$37.20€32.54
-13.47%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$104€91.3
$91.0€79.6
14.70%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$140€122
$117€102
19.69%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chania
Thessaloniki
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$576€504
$544€476
5.82%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$519€454
$457€400
13.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,135€993
$936€819
21.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,021€893
$740€648
37.86%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,677€3,217
$3,666€3,207
0.30%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,453€3,021
$2,819€2,467
22.48%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chania
Thessaloniki
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,316€1,151
$1,156€1,011
13.87%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.53
4.68
-3.21%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chania: July 13, 2026
Last update for Thessaloniki: July 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $576 in Chania versus $544 in Thessaloniki. 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 14% higher in Chania, 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 $57.0 in Chania versus $57.0 in Thessaloniki. Groceries tell a different story – $311 in Chania vs $294 in Thessaloniki – so Thessaloniki 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
Chania vs Thessaloniki: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Thessaloniki cheaper than Chania?
Yes – Chania is pricier by about 5%, and the gap shows up most in Getting Around. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,446 per month in Chania and $2,330 in Thessaloniki. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Thessaloniki, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $461 per month in Chania and $423 in Thessaloniki. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Chania and in Thessaloniki?
Groceries cost about 6% more in Chania, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for living in Chania or in Thessaloniki?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Thessaloniki, where all-in costs run around $1,554, than in Chania at $1,631. In Thessaloniki it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chania it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Chania or Thessaloniki more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Thessaloniki – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Chania or Thessaloniki?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Thessaloniki. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chania makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.