ðA single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $893 in Dzerzhinsk, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,354 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,302 in Dzerzhinsk, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,857 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,710 in Dzerzhinsk, rent included.
ðChiang Mai is about 5% cheaper than Dzerzhinsk, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Chiang Mai and Dzerzhinsk are more affordable than the global median â Chiang Mai36% lower, Dzerzhinsk33% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Dzerzhinsk
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.96āļŋ64.0
$8.01â―601
-75.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.81āļŋ615
$18.99â―1,426
-0.95%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.92āļŋ259
$5.63â―423
40.67%
Cappuccino
$1.91āļŋ62.6
$2.69â―202
-29.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84āļŋ27.41
$1.26â―94.5
-33.33%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35āļŋ11.51
$0.46â―34.45
-23.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21āļŋ72.1
$0.99â―74.6
123.23%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80āļŋ124
$3.15â―237
20.63%
ð Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Dzerzhinsk
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.64āļŋ53.5
$1.00â―75.4
64.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.62āļŋ53.1
$0.57â―42.87
184.21%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18āļŋ38.62
$1.36â―102
-13.24%
Eggs
$2.01āļŋ65.8
$1.61â―121
24.84%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.89āļŋ520
$9.64â―724
64.83%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.01āļŋ98.5
$4.54â―341
-33.70%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.77āļŋ352
$7.64â―574
40.97%
Apples(1kg)
$2.61āļŋ85.5
$1.53â―115
70.59%
Banana(1kg)
$1.22āļŋ39.88
$1.75â―131
-30.29%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.70āļŋ55.7
$1.24â―93.1
37.10%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.58āļŋ51.5
$2.49â―187
-36.55%
Potato(1kg)
$1.32āļŋ43.14
$0.71â―53.7
85.92%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17āļŋ38.23
$0.72â―54.1
62.50%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67āļŋ21.98
$1.19â―89.5
-43.70%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56āļŋ18.32
$0.76â―57.2
-26.32%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.53āļŋ148
$2.71â―204
67.16%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.20āļŋ595
$7.94â―596
129.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83āļŋ60.0
$1.04â―78.3
75.96%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23āļŋ106
$1.31â―98.0
146.56%
ð Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Dzerzhinsk
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.89āļŋ29.00
$0.53â―40.08
67.92%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.38āļŋ634
$8.75â―657
121.49%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.35āļŋ44.20
$1.89â―142
-28.57%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.35āļŋ44.05
$0.33â―24.66
309.09%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.25āļŋ270
$6.21â―466
32.85%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27āļŋ41.64
$0.67â―50.6
89.55%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
$32.7Kâ―2.5M
-35.28%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
$31.6Kâ―2.4M
-28.82%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Dzerzhinsk
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.2āļŋ2,294
$111â―8,358
-36.96%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.77āļŋ450
$5.75â―432
139.48%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.60āļŋ575
$7.27â―546
142.09%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Dzerzhinsk
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.57āļŋ1,360
$35.62â―2,675
16.70%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.60āļŋ216
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.78āļŋ189
$3.77â―283
53.32%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Dzerzhinsk
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306āļŋ10.0K
$339â―25.5K
-9.77%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
$3,869â―290.6K
283.19%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Dzerzhinsk
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.4āļŋ1,778
$44.64â―3,353
21.80%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.14āļŋ855
$44.10â―3,313
-40.73%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.5āļŋ2,764
$44.89â―3,372
88.33%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.4āļŋ2,270
$44.98â―3,378
54.36%
ð Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Dzerzhinsk
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$424āļŋ13.9K
$451â―33.9K
-6.02%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$238āļŋ7,788
$302â―22.7K
-21.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$825āļŋ27.0K
$750â―56.3K
10.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$515āļŋ16.8K
$499â―37.5K
3.23%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
$2,102â―157.8K
-2.48%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
$1,517â―113.9K
0.40%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Dzerzhinsk
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$635āļŋ20.8K
$864â―64.9K
-26.49%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
16.46
-69.62%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Last update for Dzerzhinsk: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $424 in Chiang Mai versus $451 in Dzerzhinsk. 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 36% higher in Dzerzhinsk, 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 $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $19.00 in Dzerzhinsk. Groceries tell a different story â $243 in Chiang Mai vs $179 in Dzerzhinsk â so Dzerzhinsk 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 Dzerzhinsk: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Dzerzhinsk?
Dzerzhinsk costs about 5% more than Chiang Mai, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Chiang Mai vs Dzerzhinsk?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,278 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,340 in Dzerzhinsk. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Dzerzhinsk?
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 childcare costs compare in Chiang Mai and Dzerzhinsk?
Kindergarten costs $306 per month in Chiang Mai and $339 in Dzerzhinsk. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Chiang Mai or Dzerzhinsk?
Interestingly, groceries are about 36% cheaper in Dzerzhinsk â one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $800/month in Chiang Mai or Dzerzhinsk?
$800 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $852 in Chiang Mai and $893 in Dzerzhinsk, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Dzerzhinsk?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $893 in Dzerzhinsk. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Dzerzhinsk?
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.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or Dzerzhinsk?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Dzerzhinsk makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared