Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Krosno Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Krosno

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,170 in Krosno, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,360 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,717 in Krosno, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,867 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,264 in Krosno, rent included.

Chiang Mai is about 27% cheaper than Krosno, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Krosno are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 36% lower, Krosno 12% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Krosno
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.04 ฿68.4
$6.96 zł 26.25
-70.69%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.71 ฿626
$37.30 zł 141
-49.84%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.86 ฿263
$6.11 zł 23.04
28.64%
Cappuccino
$2.03 ฿67.9
$2.47 zł 9.30
-17.81%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.80 ฿26.71
$1.93 zł 7.26
-58.55%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35 ฿11.71
$1.47 zł 5.56
-76.19%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.14 ฿71.7
$2.53 zł 9.54
-15.42%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.67 ฿123
$2.77 zł 10.44
32.49%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Krosno
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.73 ฿57.8
$1.02 zł 3.86
69.61%
White Bread (500g)
$1.57 ฿52.5
$1.04 zł 3.91
50.96%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.20 ฿40.10
$0.99 zł 3.74
21.21%
Eggs
$1.97 ฿66.0
$2.90 zł 10.92
-32.07%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.23 ฿543
$10.41 zł 39.25
55.91%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.06 ฿102
$6.23 zł 23.47
-50.88%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.80 ฿361
$10.66 zł 40.19
1.31%
Apples (1kg)
$2.77 ฿92.6
$0.79 zł 2.97
250.63%
Banana (1kg)
$1.17 ฿39.05
$1.06 zł 4.00
10.38%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.71 ฿57.1
$1.37 zł 5.18
24.82%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.59 ฿53.3
$2.94 zł 11.07
-45.92%
Potato (1kg)
$1.39 ฿46.63
$0.52 zł 1.97
167.31%
Onion (1kg)
$1.16 ฿38.67
$0.91 zł 3.41
27.47%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.66 ฿22.11
$0.85 zł 3.20
-22.35%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52 ฿17.35
$0.58 zł 2.19
-10.34%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.65 ฿155
$5.47 zł 20.64
-14.99%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.78 ฿595
$5.34 zł 20.12
232.96%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.79 ฿59.8
$0.96 zł 3.61
86.46%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.34 ฿112
$1.65 zł 6.22
102.42%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Krosno
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.91 ฿30.35
$1.10 zł 4.15
-17.27%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$18.64 ฿624
$32.88 zł 124
-43.31%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.41 ฿47.17
$2.19 zł 8.26
-35.62%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.34 ฿44.82
$0.72 zł 2.72
86.11%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.11 ฿271
$10.89 zł 41.07
-25.53%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.23 ฿41.27
$1.75 zł 6.61
-29.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.4K ฿717.0K
$33.4K zł 126.0K
-35.84%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.8K ฿730.0K
$30.3K zł 114.3K
-28.02%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Krosno
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$71.3 ฿2,386
$120 zł 451
-40.36%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.01 ฿469
$6.96 zł 26.24
101.29%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.93 ฿600
$15.42 zł 58.1
16.28%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Krosno
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$40.82 ฿1,365
$32.94 zł 124
23.92%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.88 ฿230
$19.74 zł 74.4
-65.15%
Cinema Ticket
$5.72 ฿191
$6.89 zł 25.98
-16.98%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Krosno
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$308 ฿10.3K
$313 zł 1,181
-1.61%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.7K ฿491.0K
$10.9K zł 41.2K
34.19%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Krosno
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.8 ฿1,865
$32.06 zł 121
73.96%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.04 ฿871
$32.23 zł 122
-19.21%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$84.8 ฿2,837
$94.6 zł 357
-10.32%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.0 ฿2,375
$66.9 zł 252
6.11%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Krosno
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$423 ฿14.2K
$641 zł 2,418
-34.01%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$242 ฿8,110
$503 zł 1,896
-51.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$797 ฿26.7K
$988 zł 3,725
-19.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$507 ฿17.0K
$830 zł 3,128
-38.91%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,918 ฿64.2K
$1,739 zł 6,556
10.32%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,464 ฿49.0K
$1,351 zł 5,095
8.34%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Krosno
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$595 ฿19.9K
$1,066 zł 4,019
-44.17%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5
6.92
-27.75%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: July 27, 2026

Last update for Krosno: July 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $423 in Chiang Mai versus $641 in Krosno. 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 79% higher in Krosno, 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 $37.00 in Krosno. Groceries tell a different story – $244 in Chiang Mai vs $193 in Krosno – so Krosno 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 Krosno: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Krosno?
Krosno costs about 37% more than Chiang Mai, 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 and in Krosno?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,279 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,755 in Krosno. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Krosno?
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 in Krosno?
Kindergarten costs $308 per month in Chiang Mai and $313 in Krosno. 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 Krosno?
Interestingly, groceries are about 26% cheaper in Krosno – 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 in Krosno?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Krosno at $1,170. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Krosno it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Krosno?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $1,170 in Krosno. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Krosno?
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 to Krosno?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Krosno makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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