Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Gdynia

For one person, living is cheaper in Chiang Mai: $936 a month against $1,734 in Gdynia, rent and utilities included – about $9,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Chiang Mai, Thailand
Gdynia, Poland
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$936
/mo nomad
Gdynia
🇵🇱 Poland
$1,734
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chiang Mai and in Gdynia

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 Gdynia actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $936 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,734 in Gdynia, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $936
  • Gdynia $1,734

A couple spends around $1,457 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,779 in Gdynia, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,457
  • Gdynia $2,779

A family of three spends $1,979 per month in Chiang Mai vs $3,825 in Gdynia, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,979
  • Gdynia $3,825

Chiang Mai is about 46% cheaper than Gdynia, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Chiang Mai sits 31% below the global median, while Gdynia is 27% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Gdynia
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.24 ฿75.6
$10.07 zł 39.70
-77.76%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.00 ฿641
$50.4 zł 199
-62.30%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.55 ฿187
$9.85 zł 38.84
-43.65%
Cappuccino
$1.67 ฿56.5
$4.19 zł 16.51
-60.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64 ฿21.54
$2.73 zł 10.78
-76.56%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31 ฿10.31
$2.12 zł 8.37
-85.38%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.36 ฿79.5
$3.92 zł 15.44
-39.80%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66 ฿124
$3.90 zł 15.40
-6.15%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Gdynia
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.95 ฿65.7
$1.03 zł 4.06
89.32%
White Bread (500g)
$1.44 ฿48.46
$1.36 zł 5.35
5.88%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.33 ฿45.03
$1.87 zł 7.37
-28.88%
Eggs
$2.28 ฿77.1
$3.85 zł 15.17
-40.78%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.45 ฿555
$12.62 zł 49.75
30.35%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.78 ฿93.9
$7.89 zł 31.12
-64.77%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.31 ฿314
$14.02 zł 55.3
-33.59%
Apples (1kg)
$2.35 ฿79.4
$1.28 zł 5.07
83.59%
Banana (1kg)
$0.97 ฿32.79
$1.80 zł 7.10
-46.11%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.60 ฿53.9
$1.79 zł 7.06
-10.61%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.50 ฿50.6
$3.12 zł 12.30
-51.92%
Potato (1kg)
$1.28 ฿43.11
$1.20 zł 4.74
6.67%
Onion (1kg)
$1.10 ฿37.18
$1.11 zł 4.38
-0.90%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.71 ฿23.82
$1.67 zł 6.60
-57.49%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49 ฿16.36
$0.63 zł 2.48
-22.22%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.14 ฿140
$6.08 zł 23.99
-31.91%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.52 ฿591
$8.11 zł 31.98
116.03%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.61 ฿54.5
$1.11 zł 4.38
45.05%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78 ฿93.9
$1.59 zł 6.28
74.84%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Gdynia
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.87 ฿29.30
$1.21 zł 4.77
-28.10%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$54.1 ฿1,825
$33.12 zł 131
63.32%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.16 ฿39.04
$2.32 zł 9.13
-50.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.53 ฿17.80
$1.05 zł 4.13
-49.52%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.42 ฿81.7
$12.87 zł 50.8
-81.20%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 ฿48.88
$1.64 zł 6.45
-11.59%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.1K ฿710.5K
$30.1K zł 118.5K
-29.94%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.9K ฿909.0K
$28.7K zł 113.1K
-6.10%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Gdynia
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$62.2 ฿2,098
$295 zł 1,162
-78.90%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.17 ฿411
$10.34 zł 40.77
17.70%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.12 ฿679
$18.23 zł 71.9
10.37%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Gdynia
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.31 ฿1,259
$39.96 zł 158
-6.63%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.77 ฿127
$31.82 zł 125
-88.15%
Cinema Ticket
$6.49 ฿219
$8.77 zł 34.58
-26.00%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Gdynia
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$736 ฿24.8K
$372 zł 1,467
97.88%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.8K ฿498.2K
$5,515 zł 21.7K
167.70%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Gdynia
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.4 ฿1,801
$93.4 zł 368
-42.87%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.64 ฿831
$39.96 zł 158
-38.34%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.5 ฿3,087
$104 zł 411
-12.28%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.9 ฿2,427
$106 zł 417
-31.97%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Gdynia
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$482 ฿16.3K
$935 zł 3,687
-48.42%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$309 ฿10.4K
$694 zł 2,738
-55.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,006 ฿33.9K
$1,681 zł 6,629
-40.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$633 ฿21.4K
$1,658 zł 6,539
-61.80%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,363 ฿79.7K
$4,039 zł 15.9K
-41.49%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,589 ฿53.6K
$2,605 zł 10.3K
-39.00%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Gdynia
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$590 ฿19.9K
$1,934 zł 7,628
-69.51%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
6.6
-15.61%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 26, 2026

Last update for Gdynia: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
$309
Gdynia
$694 125% $386
Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
$234
Gdynia
$251 7.1% $17
Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
$109
Gdynia
$155 42.2% $46
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
$94
Gdynia
$323 242% $229
Eating Out
Chiang Mai
$78
Gdynia
$207 167% $130
Getting Around
Chiang Mai
$61
Gdynia
$46 25.8% $16
Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
$50
Gdynia
$58 14.4% $7.2

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Chiang Mai versus $935 in Gdynia. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Gdynia are about 3.3 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $19 in Chiang Mai versus $50 in Gdynia. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $234 vs $251 – making Chiang Mai the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🇵🇱 Gdynia
🕒 Local time
02:14 2:14 AM
20:14 8:14 PM
6 h behind Chiang Mai
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
127,240
257,000
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

PLN, USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 USD = 33.74 THB (100 THB = 2.96 USD). 1 EUR = 37.67 THB (100 THB = 2.65 EUR).

Polish Złoty exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 USD = 3.94 PLN (1 PLN = 0.254 USD). 1 EUR = 4.4 PLN (1 PLN = 0.227 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Chiang Mai Gdynia 7,700 km ≈ 10 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Chiang Mai
  • Gdynia

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 Gdynia: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Gdynia?
Gdynia costs about 85% more than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from eating out. 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 and in Gdynia?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,403 per month in Chiang Mai and $2,600 in Gdynia. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Gdynia?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Chiang Mai, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $482 there versus $935 in Gdynia.
How do childcare costs compare in Chiang Mai and in Gdynia?
Kindergarten costs $736 per month in Chiang Mai and $372 in Gdynia. 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 in Gdynia?
Groceries cost about 7% more in Gdynia, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $800/month in Chiang Mai or in Gdynia?
$800 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $936 in Chiang Mai and $1,734 in Gdynia. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Gdynia?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $936 versus $1,734 in Gdynia. Both appeal to remote workers, and the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Gdynia?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or to Gdynia?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Gdynia makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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