ðA single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $722 in Izmail, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,354 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,122 in Izmail, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,857 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,522 in Izmail, rent included.
ðChiang Mai costs about 18% more than Izmail, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Chiang Mai and Izmail are more affordable than the global median â Chiang Mai36% lower, Izmail46% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Izmail
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.96āļŋ64.0
$7.23âī319
-72.89%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.81āļŋ615
$28.93âī1,275
-34.98%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.92āļŋ259
$6.48âī286
22.22%
Cappuccino
$1.91āļŋ62.6
$1.49âī65.6
28.19%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84āļŋ27.41
$0.67âī29.54
25.37%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35āļŋ11.51
$0.45âī19.84
-22.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21āļŋ72.1
$0.95âī41.84
132.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80āļŋ124
$1.70âī75.0
123.53%
ð Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Izmail
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.64āļŋ53.5
$0.72âī31.67
127.78%
White Bread(500g)
$1.62āļŋ53.1
$0.63âī27.57
157.14%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18āļŋ38.62
$1.47âī64.9
-19.73%
Eggs
$2.01āļŋ65.8
$1.18âī52.0
70.34%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.89āļŋ520
$8.40âī370
89.17%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.01āļŋ98.5
$4.45âī196
-32.36%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.77āļŋ352
$6.37âī281
69.07%
Apples(1kg)
$2.61āļŋ85.5
$0.58âī25.43
350.00%
Banana(1kg)
$1.22āļŋ39.88
$1.07âī47.27
14.02%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.70āļŋ55.7
$1.78âī78.6
-4.49%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.58āļŋ51.5
$2.35âī104
-32.77%
Potato(1kg)
$1.32āļŋ43.14
$0.60âī26.49
120.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17āļŋ38.23
$0.51âī22.50
129.41%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67āļŋ21.98
$1.54âī67.8
-56.49%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56āļŋ18.32
$0.35âī15.22
60.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.53āļŋ148
$2.74âī121
65.33%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.20āļŋ595
$5.80âī256
213.79%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83āļŋ60.0
$0.86âī37.72
112.79%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23āļŋ106
$1.45âī63.9
122.76%
ð Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Izmail
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.89āļŋ29.00
$0.50âī22.09
78.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.38āļŋ634
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.35āļŋ44.20
$1.96âī86.5
-31.12%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.35āļŋ44.05
$0.32âī14.30
321.88%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.25āļŋ270
$2.83âī125
191.52%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27āļŋ41.64
$1.35âī59.6
-5.93%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
$32.0Kâī1.4M
-33.98%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
$28.0Kâī1.2M
-19.74%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Izmail
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.2āļŋ2,294
$89.9âī3,963
-21.99%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.77āļŋ450
$4.82âī212
185.68%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.60āļŋ575
$4.78âī211
268.20%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Izmail
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.57āļŋ1,360
$24.57âī1,083
69.19%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.60āļŋ216
$9.60âī423
-31.25%
Cinema Ticket
$5.78āļŋ189
$3.69âī163
56.64%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Izmail
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306āļŋ10.0K
$254âī11.2K
20.68%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
$2,062âī90.9K
619.06%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Izmail
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.4āļŋ1,778
$62.9âī2,773
-13.59%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.14āļŋ855
$39.15âī1,725
-33.23%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.5āļŋ2,764
$88.4âī3,896
-4.38%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.4āļŋ2,270
$102âī4,510
-32.15%
ð Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Izmail
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$424āļŋ13.9K
$266âī11.7K
59.39%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$238āļŋ7,788
$204âī9,000
16.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$825āļŋ27.0K
$438âī19.3K
88.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$515āļŋ16.8K
$312âī13.7K
65.38%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
$1,154âī50.9K
77.52%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
$730âī32.2K
108.73%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Izmail
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$635āļŋ20.8K
$389âī17.2K
63.22%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
21
-76.19%
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 Izmail: April 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $424 in Chiang Mai versus $266 in Izmail. 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 63% higher in Chiang Mai, 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 $29.00 in Izmail. Groceries tell a different story â $243 in Chiang Mai vs $151 in Izmail â so Izmail 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 Izmail: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Izmail?
Chiang Mai costs about 18% more than Izmail, 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 Izmail?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,278 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,083 in Izmail. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Izmail?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Izmail, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Chiang Mai vs Izmail?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Chiang Mai and $29.00 in Izmail. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and cafÃĐ pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Chiang Mai or Izmail?
Groceries cost about 61% more in Chiang Mai, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $800/month in Chiang Mai or Izmail?
$800 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $852 in Chiang Mai and $722 in Izmail, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Izmail?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Izmail costs $722 versus $852 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Izmail?
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 Izmail?
If budget matters most, go with Izmail. 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.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared