🙂A single person spends $869 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,395 in Kartuzy, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,362 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,059 in Kartuzy, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,855 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,723 in Kartuzy, rent included.
🙂Chiang Mai is about 38% cheaper than Kartuzy, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Chiang Mai sits 35% below the global median, while Kartuzy is 4% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Kartuzy
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.98฿64.3
$8.66zł 31.65
-77.14%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.80฿612
$41.61zł 152
-54.82%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.75฿252
$8.36zł 30.56
-7.30%
Cappuccino
$1.92฿62.5
$3.50zł 12.80
-45.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79฿25.79
$2.36zł 8.62
-66.53%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36฿11.62
$1.62zł 5.91
-77.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21฿72.1
$3.31zł 12.10
-33.23%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66฿119
$3.70zł 13.52
-1.08%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Kartuzy
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.65฿53.8
$1.03zł 3.78
60.19%
White Bread(500g)
$1.63฿53.2
$1.34zł 4.90
21.64%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.19฿38.86
$1.19zł 4.35
-
Eggs
$2.00฿65.1
$3.29zł 12.03
-39.21%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.98฿520
$9.18zł 33.55
74.07%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.03฿98.5
$6.44zł 23.52
-52.95%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.86฿354
$10.81zł 39.49
0.46%
Apples(1kg)
$2.76฿90.0
$1.05zł 3.83
162.86%
Banana(1kg)
$1.18฿38.42
$1.81zł 6.62
-34.81%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.64฿53.5
$1.74zł 6.35
-5.75%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.52฿49.51
$2.80zł 10.24
-45.71%
Potato(1kg)
$1.38฿45.10
$0.90zł 3.30
53.33%
Onion(1kg)
$1.19฿38.84
$1.14zł 4.16
4.39%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.70฿22.86
$1.25zł 4.56
-44.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56฿18.13
$0.61zł 2.24
-8.20%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.58฿149
$4.95zł 18.08
-7.47%
Wine(Bottle)
$16.56฿539
$7.11zł 25.97
132.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83฿59.5
$1.14zł 4.17
60.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.20฿104
$1.60zł 5.84
100.00%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Kartuzy
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.88฿28.56
$1.11zł 4.05
-20.72%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.72฿610
$32.90zł 120
-43.10%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.36฿44.16
$2.23zł 8.15
-39.01%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.34฿43.65
$0.77zł 2.83
74.03%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.84฿256
$10.65zł 38.91
-26.38%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.23฿39.92
$1.74zł 6.36
-29.31%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.6K฿704.3K
$33.5Kzł 122.5K
-35.48%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5K฿734.3K
$30.5Kzł 111.5K
-26.12%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Kartuzy
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.5฿2,298
$272zł 993
-74.04%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.68฿445
$8.74zł 31.96
56.52%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.45฿568
$16.44zł 60.1
6.14%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Kartuzy
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.33฿1,346
$36.35zł 133
13.70%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.96฿227
$19.30zł 70.5
-63.94%
Cinema Ticket
$5.77฿188
$6.89zł 25.17
-16.26%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Kartuzy
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$307฿10.0K
$332zł 1,214
-7.55%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.6K฿475.9K
$8,187zł 29.9K
78.45%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Kartuzy
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.8฿1,817
$90.1zł 329
-38.11%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.21฿854
$35.62zł 130
-26.42%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$85.8฿2,793
$81.5zł 298
5.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$72.2฿2,353
$94.3zł 345
-23.39%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Kartuzy
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$430฿14.0K
$645zł 2,358
-33.38%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$239฿7,774
$501zł 1,831
-52.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$817฿26.6K
$966zł 3,531
-15.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$511฿16.6K
$811zł 2,966
-37.06%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,983฿64.6K
$3,143zł 11.5K
-36.90%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,484฿48.3K
$2,360zł 8,628
-37.13%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Kartuzy
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$619฿20.2K
$1,360zł 4,971
-54.50%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
6.75
-25.93%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: June 7, 2026
Last update for Kartuzy: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $430 in Chiang Mai versus $645 in Kartuzy. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 120% higher in Kartuzy, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $42.00 in Kartuzy. Groceries tell a different story – $241 in Chiang Mai vs $211 in Kartuzy – so Kartuzy 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 Kartuzy: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Kartuzy?
Kartuzy costs about 61% 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 Kartuzy?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,303 per month in Chiang Mai and $2,092 in Kartuzy. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Kartuzy?
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 Kartuzy?
Kindergarten costs $307 per month in Chiang Mai and $332 in Kartuzy. 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 Kartuzy?
Interestingly, groceries are about 14% cheaper in Kartuzy – 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 Kartuzy?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $869, than in Kartuzy at $1,395. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Kartuzy it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Kartuzy?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $869 versus $1,395 in Kartuzy. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Kartuzy?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or Kartuzy?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Kartuzy makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared