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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $947 per month in Chiang Mai vs $931 in Bijeljina, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,411 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,444 in Bijeljina, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,874 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,958 in Bijeljina, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 2% more than Bijeljina, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chiang Mai and Bijeljina are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Bijeljina 32% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.08 ฿69.2

$8.65 BAM 14.59

-75.95%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.64 ฿651

$36.14 BAM 61.0

-45.66%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.65 ฿188

$4.80 BAM 8.09

17.71%

Cappuccino

$1.81 ฿59.9

$1.47 BAM 2.47

23.13%

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

$0.71 ฿23.66

$1.80 BAM 3.04

-60.56%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.32 ฿10.48

$1.08 BAM 1.82

-70.37%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.24 ฿74.2

$1.79 BAM 3.03

25.14%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.63 ฿121

$2.34 BAM 3.94

55.13%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.96 ฿65.0

$1.64 BAM 2.76

19.51%

White Bread (500g)

$1.50 ฿49.83

$1.26 BAM 2.12

19.05%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.34 ฿44.32

$1.70 BAM 2.87

-21.18%

Eggs

$2.26 ฿75.1

$3.24 BAM 5.46

-30.25%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.26 ฿539

$7.73 BAM 13.04

110.35%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.95 ฿98.0

$8.22 BAM 13.87

-64.11%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.94 ฿330

$12.30 BAM 20.74

-19.19%

Apples (1kg)

$2.57 ฿85.3

$1.63 BAM 2.74

57.67%

Banana (1kg)

$1.06 ฿35.04

$1.86 BAM 3.14

-43.01%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.61 ฿53.5

$1.90 BAM 3.20

-15.26%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.52 ฿50.4

$2.77 BAM 4.66

-45.13%

Potato (1kg)

$1.27 ฿42.14

$1.62 BAM 2.73

-21.60%

Onion (1kg)

$1.07 ฿35.37

$1.46 BAM 2.46

-26.71%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 ฿23.89

$1.14 BAM 1.93

-36.84%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 ฿16.87

$0.68 BAM 1.14

-25.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.19 ฿139

$3.78 BAM 6.38

10.85%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.87 ฿593

$8.73 BAM 14.73

104.70%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 ฿56.2

$0.93 BAM 1.56

81.72%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.84 ฿94.1

$1.46 BAM 2.46

94.52%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.93 ฿30.70

$2.30 BAM 3.88

-59.57%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$53.9 ฿1,787

$18.09 BAM 30.51

197.73%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.23 ฿40.95

$1.51 BAM 2.55

-18.54%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.58 ฿19.13

$0.61 BAM 1.02

-4.92%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.42 ฿80.4

$10.59 BAM 17.86

-77.15%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.41 ฿46.84

$1.47 BAM 2.48

-4.08%

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

$21.4K ฿711.3K

$30.6K BAM 51.5K

-29.84%

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

$27.3K ฿906.7K

$23.8K BAM 40.2K

14.63%

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

$63.7 ฿2,112

$144 BAM 243

-55.78%

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

$12.85 ฿426

$19.07 BAM 32.17

-32.62%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.22 ฿671

$24.30 BAM 40.99

-16.79%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.74 ฿1,285

$30.76 BAM 51.9

25.94%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.97 ฿132

$8.66 BAM 14.61

-54.16%

Cinema Ticket

$6.74 ฿223

$5.11 BAM 8.61

31.90%

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

$778 ฿25.8K

$211 BAM 356

268.33%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.6K ฿484.6K

$3,898 BAM 6,574

274.83%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.3 ฿1,801

$58.5 BAM 98.6

-7.13%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$25.45 ฿844

$26.29 BAM 44.34

-3.20%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.3 ฿3,129

$135 BAM 228

-30.31%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$73.4 ฿2,436

$123 BAM 207

-40.08%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$490 ฿16.2K

$258 BAM 435

89.89%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$289 ฿9,596

$173 BAM 292

66.99%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$894 ฿29.6K

$363 BAM 613

145.86%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$517 ฿17.1K

$293 BAM 494

76.68%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,955 ฿64.9K

$1,866 BAM 3,147

4.76%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,477 ฿49.0K

$1,406 BAM 2,372

5.01%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$602 ฿20.0K

$763 BAM 1,286

-21.05%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

-7.17%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: August 31, 2026

Last update for Bijeljina: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $490 in Chiang Mai versus $258 in Bijeljina. 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 27% higher in Bijeljina, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $20.00 in Chiang Mai versus $36.00 in Bijeljina. Groceries tell a different story – $240 in Chiang Mai vs $236 in Bijeljina – so Bijeljina 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

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

Monthly costs with rent: $947 in Chiang Mai, $931 in Bijeljina – roughly 2% apart. Chiang Mai costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,421 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,396 in Bijeljina. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Bijeljina, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $947 in Chiang Mai and $931 in Bijeljina. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Public transport costs about 198% less in Bijeljina. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Bijeljina, where all-in costs run around $931, than in Chiang Mai at $947. In Bijeljina it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Chiang Mai has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $931 in Bijeljina to $947 in Chiang Mai. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Bijeljina. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chiang Mai makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.