ðA single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,148 in Krosno, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,354 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,737 in Krosno, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,857 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,326 in Krosno, rent included.
ðChiang Mai is about 26% cheaper than Krosno, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Chiang Mai and Krosno are more affordable than the global median â Chiang Mai36% lower, Krosno14% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Krosno
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.96āļŋ63.6
$6.69zÅÂ 24.30
-70.70%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.81āļŋ611
$37.90zÅÂ 138
-50.37%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.92āļŋ258
$6.15zÅÂ 22.32
28.78%
Cappuccino
$1.91āļŋ62.2
$2.43zÅÂ 8.81
-21.40%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84āļŋ27.25
$2.00zÅÂ 7.27
-58.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35āļŋ11.44
$1.41zÅÂ 5.11
-75.18%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21āļŋ71.7
$2.56zÅÂ 9.28
-13.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80āļŋ124
$2.79zÅÂ 10.14
36.20%
ð Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Krosno
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.64āļŋ53.2
$0.97zÅÂ 3.51
69.07%
White Bread(500g)
$1.62āļŋ52.8
$1.03zÅÂ 3.74
57.28%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18āļŋ38.40
$1.00zÅÂ 3.62
18.00%
Eggs
$2.01āļŋ65.4
$2.89zÅÂ 10.48
-30.45%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.89āļŋ517
$10.55zÅÂ 38.31
50.62%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.01āļŋ98.0
$6.33zÅÂ 22.98
-52.45%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.77āļŋ350
$10.71zÅÂ 38.88
0.56%
Apples(1kg)
$2.61āļŋ85.0
$0.85zÅÂ 3.07
207.06%
Banana(1kg)
$1.22āļŋ39.65
$1.08zÅÂ 3.91
12.96%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.70āļŋ55.4
$1.37zÅÂ 4.98
24.09%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.58āļŋ51.2
$3.11zÅÂ 11.28
-49.20%
Potato(1kg)
$1.32āļŋ42.89
$0.56zÅÂ 2.02
135.71%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17āļŋ38.01
$0.97zÅÂ 3.50
20.62%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67āļŋ21.85
$0.77zÅÂ 2.80
-12.99%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56āļŋ18.21
$0.56zÅÂ 2.03
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.53āļŋ147
$5.53zÅÂ 20.06
-18.08%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.20āļŋ592
$5.36zÅÂ 19.47
239.55%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83āļŋ59.6
$0.89zÅÂ 3.24
105.62%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23āļŋ105
$1.59zÅÂ 5.77
103.14%
ð Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Krosno
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.89āļŋ28.83
$1.11zÅÂ 4.02
-19.82%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.38āļŋ630
$32.21zÅÂ 117
-39.83%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.35āļŋ43.95
$2.11zÅÂ 7.64
-36.02%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.35āļŋ43.79
$0.77zÅÂ 2.79
75.32%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.25āļŋ268
$10.69zÅÂ 38.82
-22.83%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27āļŋ41.40
$1.73zÅÂ 6.29
-26.59%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2Kāļŋ687.8K
$34.2KzÅÂ 124.0K
-38.05%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5Kāļŋ731.0K
$29.9KzÅÂ 108.7K
-24.91%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Krosno
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.2āļŋ2,281
$120zÅÂ 436
-41.65%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.77āļŋ448
$6.86zÅÂ 24.90
100.73%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.60āļŋ572
$14.99zÅÂ 54.4
17.41%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Krosno
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.57āļŋ1,352
$32.52zÅÂ 118
27.83%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.60āļŋ215
$19.25zÅÂ 69.9
-65.71%
Cinema Ticket
$5.78āļŋ188
$7.18zÅÂ 26.06
-19.50%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Krosno
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306āļŋ9,953
$317zÅÂ 1,151
-3.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8Kāļŋ482.0K
$11.0KzÅÂ 39.8K
35.16%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Krosno
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.4āļŋ1,768
$32.42zÅÂ 118
67.71%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.14āļŋ850
$32.78zÅÂ 119
-20.26%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.5āļŋ2,748
$96.6zÅÂ 351
-12.49%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.4āļŋ2,257
$68.0zÅÂ 247
2.18%
ð Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Krosno
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$424āļŋ13.8K
$659zÅÂ 2,393
-35.74%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$238āļŋ7,743
$486zÅÂ 1,763
-50.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$825āļŋ26.8K
$977zÅÂ 3,548
-15.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$515āļŋ16.7K
$802zÅÂ 2,911
-35.75%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,049āļŋ66.6K
$1,773zÅÂ 6,437
15.57%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,523āļŋ49.5K
$1,390zÅÂ 5,047
9.54%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Krosno
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$635āļŋ20.6K
$1,091zÅÂ 3,961
-41.79%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
6.92
-27.75%
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 Krosno: April 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $424 in Chiang Mai versus $659 in Krosno. 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 72% higher in Krosno, 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 $38.00 in Krosno. Groceries tell a different story â $243 in Chiang Mai vs $194 in Krosno â 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 35% 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 vs Krosno?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,278 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,722 in Krosno. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â 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 Krosno?
Kindergarten costs $306 per month in Chiang Mai and $317 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 Krosno?
Interestingly, groceries are about 25% cheaper in Krosno 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 Krosno?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Krosno at $1,148. 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 $1,148 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 â central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or 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.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared