ðA single person spends $845 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,451 in Bijelo Polje, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,323 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,192 in Bijelo Polje, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,802 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,932 in Bijelo Polje, rent included.
ðChiang Mai is about 42% cheaper than Bijelo Polje, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðChiang Mai sits 37% below the global median, while Bijelo Polje is 8% above â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Bijelo Polje
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.95āļŋ62.8
$13.72âŽ11.70
-85.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.43āļŋ594
$57.4âŽ48.99
-67.91%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.50āļŋ241
$10.06âŽ8.58
-25.45%
Cappuccino
$1.93āļŋ62.3
$2.97âŽ2.53
-35.02%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78āļŋ25.08
$2.14âŽ1.82
-63.55%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32āļŋ10.42
$1.39âŽ1.19
-76.98%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.15āļŋ69.2
$3.29âŽ2.81
-34.65%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.71āļŋ120
$3.55âŽ3.03
4.51%
ð Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Bijelo Polje
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.71āļŋ55.2
$1.44âŽ1.23
18.75%
White Bread(500g)
$1.56āļŋ50.3
$1.07âŽ0.91
45.79%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18āļŋ38.06
$1.83âŽ1.56
-35.52%
Eggs
$1.98āļŋ63.9
$3.53âŽ3.01
-43.91%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.04āļŋ517
$13.14âŽ11.21
22.07%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.17āļŋ102
$7.38âŽ6.30
-57.05%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.94āļŋ353
$9.62âŽ8.21
13.72%
Apples(1kg)
$2.63āļŋ84.7
$2.22âŽ1.89
18.47%
Banana(1kg)
$1.17āļŋ37.61
$2.35âŽ2.00
-50.21%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.65āļŋ53.0
$1.93âŽ1.64
-14.51%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.54āļŋ49.51
$3.47âŽ2.96
-55.62%
Potato(1kg)
$1.38āļŋ44.34
$1.80âŽ1.54
-23.33%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17āļŋ37.54
$1.17âŽ1.00
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.66āļŋ21.25
$1.87âŽ1.59
-64.71%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51āļŋ16.55
$1.51âŽ1.29
-66.23%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.52āļŋ146
$3.95âŽ3.37
14.43%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.32āļŋ590
$4.72âŽ4.03
288.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.80āļŋ57.9
$1.63âŽ1.39
10.43%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18āļŋ102
$2.07âŽ1.77
53.62%
ð Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Bijelo Polje
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.90āļŋ28.97
$1.48âŽ1.26
-39.19%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.00āļŋ612
$37.73âŽ32.19
-49.64%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41āļŋ45.50
$1.14âŽ0.97
23.68%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.31āļŋ42.15
$1.01âŽ0.86
29.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.09āļŋ261
$11.60âŽ9.90
-30.26%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.28āļŋ41.08
$1.78âŽ1.52
-28.09%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.3Kāļŋ686.1K
$30.5KâŽ26.0K
-30.22%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.7Kāļŋ699.3K
$29.0KâŽ24.7K
-25.17%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Bijelo Polje
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$69.2āļŋ2,230
$143âŽ122
-51.45%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.97āļŋ450
$18.62âŽ15.88
-24.97%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.95āļŋ578
$32.28âŽ27.53
-44.39%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Bijelo Polje
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.31āļŋ1,363
$44.18âŽ37.68
-4.23%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.66āļŋ214
$14.33âŽ12.22
-53.52%
Cinema Ticket
$5.92āļŋ191
$3.55âŽ3.03
66.76%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Bijelo Polje
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$299āļŋ9,640
$57.8âŽ49.31
417.56%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8Kāļŋ478.4K
$7,331âŽ6,253
102.57%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Bijelo Polje
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.2āļŋ1,810
$22.76âŽ19.42
146.88%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.94āļŋ868
$38.94âŽ33.22
-30.82%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.9āļŋ2,735
$120âŽ102
-29.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.8āļŋ2,314
$126âŽ108
-43.10%
ð Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Bijelo Polje
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$435āļŋ14.0K
$726âŽ619
-40.05%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$240āļŋ7,727
$548âŽ468
-56.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$798āļŋ25.7K
$1,283âŽ1,094
-37.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$498āļŋ16.1K
$931âŽ794
-46.46%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,995āļŋ64.3K
$3,867âŽ3,299
-48.41%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,532āļŋ49.4K
$2,635âŽ2,247
-41.86%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Bijelo Polje
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$628āļŋ20.2K
$864âŽ737
-27.27%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
5.38
-7.06%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Last update for Bijelo Polje: April 22, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $435 in Chiang Mai versus $726 in Bijelo Polje. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
ð°Salaries run about 37% higher in Bijelo Polje, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $18 in Chiang Mai versus $57 in Bijelo Polje. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $244 vs $257 â making Chiang Mai the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 Bijelo Polje: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bijelo Polje cheaper than Chiang Mai?
Yes â Bijelo Polje is pricier by about 72%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. 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 $1,267 per month in Chiang Mai and $2,177 in Bijelo Polje. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
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 food prices compare in Chiang Mai and Bijelo Polje?
Groceries cost about 5% more in Bijelo Polje, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is eating out cheaper in Chiang Mai or Bijelo Polje?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $18.00 in Chiang Mai and $57.0 in Bijelo Polje. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and cafÃĐ pricing gap between the two cities.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for Chiang Mai or Bijelo Polje?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $845, than in Bijelo Polje at $1,451. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Bijelo Polje it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Chiang Mai or Bijelo Polje more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Chiang Mai â lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Chiang Mai or Bijelo Polje?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison â central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Bijelo Polje makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared