ðA single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,349 in Karditsa, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,354 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,030 in Karditsa, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,857 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,711 in Karditsa, rent included.
ðChiang Mai is about 37% cheaper than Karditsa, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðChiang Mai sits 36% below the global median, while Karditsa is 1% above â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Karditsa
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.96āļŋ64.0
$11.79âŽ10.09
-83.38%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.81āļŋ615
$55.2âŽ47.28
-65.95%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.92āļŋ259
$7.92âŽ6.78
-
Cappuccino
$1.91āļŋ62.6
$3.13âŽ2.68
-38.98%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84āļŋ27.41
$1.58âŽ1.36
-46.84%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35āļŋ11.51
$0.60âŽ0.52
-41.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21āļŋ72.1
$4.64âŽ3.97
-52.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80āļŋ124
$4.66âŽ3.98
-18.45%
ð Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Karditsa
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.64āļŋ53.5
$1.71âŽ1.46
-4.09%
White Bread(500g)
$1.62āļŋ53.1
$1.32âŽ1.13
22.73%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18āļŋ38.62
$1.29âŽ1.11
-8.53%
Eggs
$2.01āļŋ65.8
$3.24âŽ2.77
-37.96%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.89āļŋ520
$11.27âŽ9.64
40.99%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.01āļŋ98.5
$9.12âŽ7.81
-67.00%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.77āļŋ352
$14.23âŽ12.18
-24.31%
Apples(1kg)
$2.61āļŋ85.5
$1.68âŽ1.44
55.36%
Banana(1kg)
$1.22āļŋ39.88
$2.14âŽ1.83
-42.99%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.70āļŋ55.7
$1.43âŽ1.22
18.88%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.58āļŋ51.5
$0.83âŽ0.71
90.36%
Potato(1kg)
$1.32āļŋ43.14
$0.88âŽ0.76
50.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17āļŋ38.23
$0.77âŽ0.65
51.95%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67āļŋ21.98
$0.89âŽ0.76
-24.72%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56āļŋ18.32
$1.05âŽ0.90
-46.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.53āļŋ148
$5.52âŽ4.73
-17.93%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.20āļŋ595
$6.26âŽ5.36
190.73%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83āļŋ60.0
$0.91âŽ0.78
101.10%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23āļŋ106
$0.98âŽ0.84
229.59%
ð Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Karditsa
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.89āļŋ29.00
$1.53âŽ1.31
-41.83%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.38āļŋ634
$45.54âŽ38.98
-57.44%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.35āļŋ44.20
$2.25âŽ1.93
-40.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.35āļŋ44.05
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.25āļŋ270
$11.40âŽ9.76
-27.63%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27āļŋ41.64
$2.11âŽ1.80
-39.81%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
$31.2KâŽ26.7K
-32.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
$24.7KâŽ21.2K
-9.04%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Karditsa
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.2āļŋ2,294
$213âŽ182
-67.08%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.77āļŋ450
$22.39âŽ19.17
-38.50%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.60āļŋ575
$33.06âŽ28.30
-46.76%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Karditsa
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.57āļŋ1,360
$38.85âŽ33.26
7.00%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.60āļŋ216
$25.74âŽ22.04
-74.36%
Cinema Ticket
$5.78āļŋ189
$8.21âŽ7.03
-29.60%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Karditsa
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306āļŋ10.0K
$511âŽ437
-40.07%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
$6,381âŽ5,462
132.33%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Karditsa
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.4āļŋ1,778
$64.1âŽ54.9
-15.17%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.14āļŋ855
$32.57âŽ27.88
-19.74%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.5āļŋ2,764
$67.5âŽ57.8
25.17%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.4āļŋ2,270
$106âŽ90.3
-34.21%
ð Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Karditsa
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$424āļŋ13.9K
$503âŽ431
-15.80%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$238āļŋ7,788
$391âŽ334
-39.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$825āļŋ27.0K
$777âŽ665
6.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$515āļŋ16.8K
$613âŽ525
-15.96%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
$3,165âŽ2,709
-35.25%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
$2,548âŽ2,181
-40.23%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Karditsa
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$635āļŋ20.8K
$885âŽ758
-28.24%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
4.42
13.12%
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 Karditsa: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $424 in Chiang Mai versus $503 in Karditsa. 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 39% higher in Karditsa, 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 $55.0 in Karditsa. Groceries tell a different story â $243 in Chiang Mai vs $241 in Karditsa â so Karditsa 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 Karditsa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Karditsa?
Karditsa costs about 58% more than Chiang Mai, with the gap driven mainly by 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 vs Karditsa?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,278 per month in Chiang Mai and $2,023 in Karditsa. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Karditsa?
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 Karditsa?
Kindergarten costs $306 per month in Chiang Mai and $511 in Karditsa. 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 Karditsa?
Interestingly, groceries are about 1% cheaper in Karditsa â one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Chiang Mai or Karditsa?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Karditsa at $1,349. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Karditsa it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Karditsa?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $1,349 in Karditsa. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Karditsa?
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 Karditsa?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Karditsa makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared