Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Batumi, Ajara

For one person, living is cheaper in Chiang Mai: $936 a month against $1,126 in Batumi, Ajara, rent and utilities included – about $2,300 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Chiang Mai, Thailand
Batumi, Ajara, Georgia
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$936
/mo nomad
Batumi, Ajara
🇬🇪 Georgia
$1,126
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chiang Mai and in Batumi, Ajara

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Chiang Mai and in Batumi, Ajara actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $936 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,126 in Batumi, Ajara, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $936
  • Batumi, Ajara $1,126

A couple spends around $1,457 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,767 in Batumi, Ajara, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,457
  • Batumi, Ajara $1,767

A family of three spends $1,979 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,407 in Batumi, Ajara, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,979
  • Batumi, Ajara $2,407

Chiang Mai is about 17% cheaper than Batumi, Ajara, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Chiang Mai and Batumi, Ajara are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Batumi, Ajara 17% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Batumi, Ajara
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.24 ฿75.7
$11.42 ₾29.54
-80.39%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.00 ฿642
$32.72 ₾84.6
-41.93%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.55 ฿188
$10.37 ₾26.82
-46.48%
Cappuccino
$1.67 ฿56.6
$3.47 ₾8.97
-51.87%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64 ฿21.56
$0.96 ₾2.47
-33.33%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31 ฿10.32
$0.54 ₾1.40
-42.59%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.36 ฿79.6
$1.70 ₾4.39
38.82%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66 ฿124
$2.24 ₾5.80
63.39%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Batumi, Ajara
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.95 ฿65.8
$2.10 ₾5.42
-7.14%
White Bread (500g)
$1.44 ฿48.51
$0.70 ₾1.80
105.71%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.33 ฿45.07
$1.54 ₾3.98
-13.64%
Eggs
$2.28 ฿77.1
$2.68 ₾6.93
-14.93%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.45 ฿556
$9.99 ₾25.83
64.66%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.78 ฿94.0
$5.98 ₾15.46
-53.51%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.31 ฿314
$10.02 ₾25.91
-7.09%
Apples (1kg)
$2.35 ฿79.5
$1.43 ₾3.69
64.34%
Banana (1kg)
$0.97 ฿32.82
$1.95 ₾5.04
-50.26%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.60 ฿53.9
$1.42 ₾3.67
12.68%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.50 ฿50.7
$2.06 ₾5.33
-27.18%
Potato (1kg)
$1.28 ฿43.15
$0.87 ₾2.25
47.13%
Onion (1kg)
$1.10 ฿37.22
$0.64 ₾1.64
71.88%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.71 ฿23.84
$1.45 ₾3.75
-51.03%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49 ฿16.38
$0.71 ₾1.85
-30.99%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.14 ฿140
$3.04 ₾7.86
36.18%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.52 ฿592
$5.81 ₾15.02
201.55%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.61 ฿54.5
$1.50 ₾3.89
7.33%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78 ฿94.0
$2.04 ₾5.28
36.27%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Batumi, Ajara
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.87 ฿29.33
$0.28 ₾0.73
210.71%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$54.1 ฿1,827
$13.35 ₾34.52
305.17%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.16 ฿39.08
$1.19 ₾3.08
-2.52%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.53 ฿17.82
$0.64 ₾1.66
-17.19%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.42 ฿81.8
$11.72 ₾30.32
-79.35%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 ฿48.93
$1.51 ₾3.91
-3.97%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.1K ฿711.2K
$15.8K ₾40.9K
33.20%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.9K ฿909.8K
$21.9K ₾56.7K
22.92%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Batumi, Ajara
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$62.2 ฿2,100
$74.0 ₾191
-15.94%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.17 ฿411
$9.58 ₾24.78
27.04%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.12 ฿680
$15.44 ₾39.94
30.31%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Batumi, Ajara
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.31 ฿1,260
$57.7 ₾149
-35.33%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.77 ฿127
$15.66 ₾40.49
-75.93%
Cinema Ticket
$6.49 ฿219
$7.92 ₾20.49
-18.06%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Batumi, Ajara
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$736 ฿24.9K
$300 ₾775
145.64%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.8K ฿498.6K
$3,225 ₾8,340
357.78%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Batumi, Ajara
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.4 ฿1,802
$97.1 ₾251
-45.01%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.64 ฿832
$41.20 ₾107
-40.19%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.5 ฿3,089
$131 ₾340
-30.36%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.9 ฿2,429
$115 ₾297
-37.33%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Batumi, Ajara
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$482 ฿16.3K
$499 ₾1,292
-3.45%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$309 ฿10.4K
$368 ₾951
-15.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,006 ฿34.0K
$971 ₾2,511
3.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$633 ฿21.4K
$685 ₾1,772
-7.57%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,363 ฿79.8K
$1,696 ₾4,385
39.35%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,589 ฿53.7K
$1,245 ₾3,218
27.68%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Batumi, Ajara
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$590 ฿19.9K
$596 ₾1,542
-1.13%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
12.71
-56.18%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 26, 2026

Last update for Batumi, Ajara: October 27, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
$309
Batumi, Ajara
$368 19% $59
Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
$234
Batumi, Ajara
$211 10% $23
Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
$109
Batumi, Ajara
$173 59.2% $64
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
$94
Batumi, Ajara
$99 4.8% $4.5
Eating Out
Chiang Mai
$78
Batumi, Ajara
$183 136% $106
Getting Around
Chiang Mai
$61
Batumi, Ajara
$19 69.2% $42
Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
$50
Batumi, Ajara
$74 46.3% $23

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Chiang Mai versus $499 in Batumi, Ajara. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $19 in Chiang Mai versus $33 in Batumi, Ajara. Groceries tell a different story – $234 in Chiang Mai vs $211 in Batumi, Ajara – so Batumi, Ajara wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🇬🇪 Batumi, Ajara
🕒 Local time
19:02 7:02 PM
16:02 4:02 PM
3 h behind Chiang Mai
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
127,240
186,949
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

GEL, USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 33.77 THB (100 THB = 2.96 USD). 1 EUR = 37.58 THB (100 THB = 2.66 EUR).

Georgian Lari exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 2.59 GEL (1 GEL = 0.387 USD). 1 EUR = 2.88 GEL (1 GEL = 0.347 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Chiang Mai Batumi, Ajara 5,940 km ≈ 8 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Chiang Mai
  • Batumi, Ajara

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Batumi, Ajara: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Chiang Mai and in Batumi, Ajara compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $936 in Chiang Mai, $1,126 in Batumi, Ajara – roughly 20% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in eating out.
What salary covers living expenses in Chiang Mai compared to Batumi, Ajara?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,403 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,689 in Batumi, Ajara. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do apartment prices compare in Chiang Mai and in Batumi, Ajara?
A central 1-bedroom goes for about $482 in Chiang Mai and $499 in Batumi, Ajara. The gap holds across neighborhoods – outer areas show a similar spread, just at lower price points.
Which city is more expensive overall: Chiang Mai or Batumi, Ajara?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $936 in Chiang Mai and $1,126 in Batumi, Ajara. That’s a gap of about 20%.
How do commuting costs compare in Chiang Mai and in Batumi, Ajara?
Public transport costs about 75% less in Batumi, Ajara. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city is feasible on a $800 budget?
$800 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $936 in Chiang Mai and $1,126 in Batumi, Ajara. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Where should digital nomads live: Chiang Mai or Batumi, Ajara?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $936 versus $1,126 in Batumi, Ajara. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Is Chiang Mai or Batumi, Ajara 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.

Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared

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