ðA single person spends $845 per month in Chiang Mai vs $649 in Khmelnytskyi, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,323 per month in Chiang Mai vs $943 in Khmelnytskyi, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,802 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,238 in Khmelnytskyi, rent included.
ðChiang Mai costs about 30% more than Khmelnytskyi, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Chiang Mai and Khmelnytskyi are more affordable than the global median â Chiang Mai37% lower, Khmelnytskyi52% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Khmelnytskyi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.95āļŋ62.8
$4.36âī191
-55.28%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.43āļŋ594
$17.80âī782
3.54%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.50āļŋ241
$4.81âī212
55.93%
Cappuccino
$1.93āļŋ62.3
$0.91âī39.97
112.09%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78āļŋ25.08
$0.55âī24.35
41.82%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32āļŋ10.42
$0.29âī12.60
10.34%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.15āļŋ69.2
$1.06âī46.72
102.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.71āļŋ120
$1.71âī75.3
116.96%
ð Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Khmelnytskyi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.71āļŋ55.2
$1.29âī56.8
32.56%
White Bread(500g)
$1.56āļŋ50.3
$0.63âī27.64
147.62%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18āļŋ38.06
$1.03âī45.15
14.56%
Eggs
$1.98āļŋ63.9
$1.39âī61.2
42.45%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.04āļŋ517
$7.95âī349
101.76%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.17āļŋ102
$3.88âī171
-18.30%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.94āļŋ353
$5.85âī257
87.01%
Apples(1kg)
$2.63āļŋ84.7
$0.60âī26.59
338.33%
Banana(1kg)
$1.17āļŋ37.61
$1.11âī48.63
5.41%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.65āļŋ53.0
$1.75âī76.9
-5.71%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.54āļŋ49.51
$1.02âī44.84
50.98%
Potato(1kg)
$1.38āļŋ44.34
$0.23âī10.10
500.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17āļŋ37.54
$0.27âī11.75
333.33%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.66āļŋ21.25
$1.34âī59.0
-50.75%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51āļŋ16.55
$0.52âī22.97
-1.92%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.52āļŋ146
$2.21âī97.3
104.52%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.32āļŋ590
$3.33âī147
450.15%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.80āļŋ57.9
$0.73âī32.24
146.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18āļŋ102
$1.00âī44.04
218.00%
ð Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Khmelnytskyi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.90āļŋ28.97
$0.30âī13.25
200.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.00āļŋ612
$6.14âī270
209.45%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41āļŋ45.50
$1.14âī49.96
23.68%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.31āļŋ42.15
$0.28âī12.11
367.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.09āļŋ261
$4.23âī186
91.25%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.28āļŋ41.08
$1.34âī59.1
-4.48%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.3Kāļŋ686.1K
$31.3Kâī1.4M
-32.05%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.7Kāļŋ699.3K
$24.6Kâī1.1M
-11.87%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Khmelnytskyi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$69.2āļŋ2,230
$71.6âī3,149
-3.39%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.97āļŋ450
$3.66âī161
281.69%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.95āļŋ578
$3.00âī132
498.33%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Khmelnytskyi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.31āļŋ1,363
$17.96âī789
135.58%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.66āļŋ214
$6.05âī266
10.08%
Cinema Ticket
$5.92āļŋ191
$3.33âī147
77.78%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Khmelnytskyi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$299āļŋ9,640
$193âī8,487
54.97%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8Kāļŋ478.4K
$7,766âī341.4K
91.21%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Khmelnytskyi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.2āļŋ1,810
$18.97âī834
196.20%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.94āļŋ868
$9.91âī436
171.85%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.9āļŋ2,735
$90.4âī3,972
-6.07%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.8āļŋ2,314
$116âī5,089
-37.95%
ð Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Khmelnytskyi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$435āļŋ14.0K
$271âī11.9K
60.67%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$240āļŋ7,727
$221âī9,696
8.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$798āļŋ25.7K
$438âī19.2K
82.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$498āļŋ16.1K
$316âī13.9K
57.63%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,995āļŋ64.3K
$747âī32.9K
167.00%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,532āļŋ49.4K
$602âī26.4K
154.58%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Khmelnytskyi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$628āļŋ20.2K
$394âī17.3K
59.54%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
19.34
-74.15%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Last update for Khmelnytskyi: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $435 in Chiang Mai versus $271 in Khmelnytskyi. 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 60% 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 $18 in Chiang Mai versus $18 in Khmelnytskyi. Groceries tell a different story â $244 in Chiang Mai vs $137 in Khmelnytskyi â so Khmelnytskyi 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 Khmelnytskyi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Khmelnytskyi?
Chiang Mai costs about 30% more than Khmelnytskyi, 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 Khmelnytskyi?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,267 per month in Chiang Mai and $973 in Khmelnytskyi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Khmelnytskyi?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Khmelnytskyi, 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 Khmelnytskyi?
Kindergarten costs $299 per month in Chiang Mai and $193 in Khmelnytskyi. 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 Khmelnytskyi?
Groceries cost about 78% 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 $1,200/month in Chiang Mai or Khmelnytskyi?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $845 in Chiang Mai and $649 in Khmelnytskyi, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Khmelnytskyi?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Khmelnytskyi costs $649 versus $845 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 Khmelnytskyi?
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 Khmelnytskyi?
If budget matters most, go with Khmelnytskyi. 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