Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Astrakhan Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Astrakhan

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $932 in Chiang Mai versus $252 in Astrakhan.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,399 in Chiang Mai versus $495 in Astrakhan.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,866 in Chiang Mai versus $737 in Astrakhan.

Living in Chiang Mai is roughly 270% more expensive than in Astrakhan, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Chiang Mai 32% lower, Astrakhan 82% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.08 ฿69.5

$8.69 ₽735

-76.06%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.61 ฿655

$41.77 ₽3,529

-53.05%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.67 ฿189

$5.74 ₽485

-1.22%

Cappuccino

$1.81 ฿60.3

$1.84 ₽156

-1.63%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.77 ฿25.65

$1.16 ₽97.6

-33.62%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.53

$0.73 ₽61.5

-52.05%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 ฿73.9

$1.93 ₽163

14.51%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.79 ฿127

$3.45 ₽292

9.86%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.05 ฿68.4

White Bread (500g)

$1.51 ฿50.6

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.40 ฿46.69

Eggs

$2.26 ฿75.4

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.19 ฿540

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.90 ฿96.7

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.42 ฿314

Apples (1kg)

$2.68 ฿89.4

Banana (1kg)

$1.09 ฿36.37

Oranges (1kg)

$1.62 ฿54.0

Tomato (1kg)

$1.46 ฿48.74

Potato (1kg)

$1.28 ฿42.65

Onion (1kg)

$1.06 ฿35.31

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 ฿23.94

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 ฿17.56

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.23 ฿141

Wine (Bottle)

$18.29 ฿611

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.63 ฿54.4

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.90 ฿96.8

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.88 ฿29.32

$0.50 ₽42.56

76.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$53.8 ฿1,795

$21.65 ₽1,830

148.36%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.17 ฿39.14

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.58 ฿19.30

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.39 ฿79.6

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.45 ฿48.41

$0.84 ₽70.6

72.62%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$21.0K ฿701.4K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.4K ฿882.0K

$27.0K ₽2.3M

-2.15%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$63.7 ฿2,125

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$12.89 ฿430

$4.83 ₽408

166.87%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.52 ฿685

$8.05 ₽680

154.91%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$39.02 ฿1,302

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.92 ฿131

Cinema Ticket

$6.58 ฿220

$3.00 ₽254

119.33%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$784 ฿26.2K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.7K ฿489.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.1 ฿1,840

$35.28 ₽2,981

56.21%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.74 ฿826

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.1 ฿3,142

$82.5 ₽6,972

14.07%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$74.0 ฿2,469

$47.35 ₽4,001

56.20%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$490 ฿16.4K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$288 ฿9,620

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$891 ฿29.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$521 ฿17.4K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,974 ฿65.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,444 ฿48.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$602 ฿20.1K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

-70.68%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 13, 2026

Last update for Astrakhan: September 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Dining out at a mid-range restaurant: $20.00 in Chiang Mai vs $42.00 in Astrakhan for two.

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

Chiang Mai vs Astrakhan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai and Astrakhan differ by about 270% in total monthly costs ($932 vs $252 including rent). Astrakhan is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

You'd need roughly $1,398 in Chiang Mai and $378 in Astrakhan 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.

Dining out is cheaper in Astrakhan – a meal for two runs $42.00 versus $20.00 in Chiang Mai. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

All in, you'll spend $932 per month in Chiang Mai versus $252 in Astrakhan – a 270% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

At $252 in Astrakhan versus $932 in Chiang Mai, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Astrakhan but tight or insufficient in Chiang Mai. The gap between the two cities makes Astrakhan the clear choice for anyone on this budget.

Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.

Safety-wise, Chiang Mai and Astrakhan are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Astrakhan gentler on the wallet – expenses run 270% less than in Chiang Mai. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.