Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Krotoszyn

For one person, living is cheaper in Chiang Mai: $935 a month against $1,450 in Krotoszyn, rent and utilities included – about $6,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Chiang Mai, Thailand
Krotoszyn, Poland
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$935
/mo nomad
Krotoszyn
🇵🇱 Poland
$1,450
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chiang Mai and in Krotoszyn

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Chiang Mai and in Krotoszyn actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $935 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,450 in Krotoszyn, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $935
  • Krotoszyn $1,450

A couple spends around $1,467 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,129 in Krotoszyn, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,467
  • Krotoszyn $2,129

A family of three spends $1,999 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,808 in Krotoszyn, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,999
  • Krotoszyn $2,808

Chiang Mai is about 35% cheaper than Krotoszyn, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Chiang Mai sits 31% below the global median, while Krotoszyn is 7% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Krotoszyn
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.13 ฿71.7
$12.15 zł 47.40
-82.47%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.62 ฿625
$62.8 zł 245
-70.36%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.60 ฿188
$7.43 zł 28.98
-24.63%
Cappuccino
$1.66 ฿55.9
$3.41 zł 13.30
-51.32%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.65 ฿21.73
$2.08 zł 8.11
-68.75%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.30 ฿10.24
$1.63 zł 6.34
-81.60%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.32 ฿78.0
$3.86 zł 15.07
-39.90%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.67 ฿123
$3.74 zł 14.60
-1.87%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Krotoszyn
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.02 ฿67.7
$0.87 zł 3.39
132.18%
White Bread (500g)
$1.41 ฿47.29
$1.43 zł 5.59
-1.40%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.39 ฿46.75
$0.89 zł 3.49
56.18%
Eggs
$2.37 ฿79.5
$3.20 zł 12.49
-25.94%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.52 ฿555
$6.94 zł 27.06
138.04%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.67 ฿89.7
$5.61 zł 21.90
-52.41%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.02 ฿303
$9.26 zł 36.13
-2.59%
Apples (1kg)
$2.40 ฿80.6
$0.87 zł 3.39
175.86%
Banana (1kg)
$1.04 ฿34.98
$1.63 zł 6.35
-36.20%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.66 ฿55.7
$1.59 zł 6.20
4.40%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.56 ฿52.4
$3.09 zł 12.05
-49.51%
Potato (1kg)
$1.24 ฿41.57
$0.92 zł 3.60
34.78%
Onion (1kg)
$1.09 ฿36.50
$1.33 zł 5.17
-18.05%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.76 ฿25.59
$1.10 zł 4.30
-30.91%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51 ฿17.27
$0.60 zł 2.35
-15.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.12 ฿138
$5.65 zł 22.04
-27.08%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.93 ฿602
$5.15 zł 20.09
248.16%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.62 ฿54.5
$1.01 zł 3.94
60.40%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.82 ฿94.8
$1.36 zł 5.30
107.35%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Krotoszyn
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.93 ฿31.39
$1.09 zł 4.27
-14.68%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$52.9 ฿1,777
$29.40 zł 115
79.90%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.18 ฿39.52
$2.10 zł 8.21
-43.81%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.17 ฿5.76
$0.77 zł 3.01
-77.92%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.81 ฿60.9
$9.94 zł 38.80
-81.79%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.47 ฿49.47
$1.56 zł 6.09
-5.77%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.0K ฿705.8K
$29.9K zł 116.6K
-29.67%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5K ฿890.7K
$28.6K zł 111.6K
-7.29%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Krotoszyn
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$62.6 ฿2,101
$281 zł 1,097
-77.74%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.60 ฿390
$7.80 zł 30.44
48.72%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.30 ฿682
$19.02 zł 74.2
6.73%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Krotoszyn
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.88 ฿1,272
$38.54 zł 150
-1.71%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.70 ฿124
$21.77 zł 84.9
-83.00%
Cinema Ticket
$6.51 ฿219
$7.69 zł 30.00
-15.34%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Krotoszyn
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$727 ฿24.4K
$319 zł 1,244
128.07%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.6K ฿556.7K
$5,098 zł 19.9K
225.11%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Krotoszyn
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.5 ฿1,798
$82.2 zł 321
-34.89%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.80 ฿833
$36.73 zł 143
-32.48%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$90.4 ฿3,036
$87.0 zł 339
3.88%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$72.0 ฿2,418
$100 zł 390
-28.06%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Krotoszyn
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$481 ฿16.2K
$595 zł 2,320
-19.09%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$310 ฿10.4K
$522 zł 2,035
-40.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,058 ฿35.5K
$980 zł 3,823
8.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$659 ฿22.1K
$814 zł 3,175
-19.06%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,418 ฿81.2K
$2,927 zł 11.4K
-17.40%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,609 ฿54.0K
$2,180 zł 8,505
-26.19%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Krotoszyn
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$595 ฿20.0K
$976 zł 3,808
-39.06%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
6.89
-19.16%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: November 1, 2026

Last update for Krotoszyn: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
$310
Krotoszyn
$522 68.3% $212
Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
$237
Krotoszyn
$187 20.9% $50
Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
$108
Krotoszyn
$138 27.1% $29
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
$94
Krotoszyn
$308 226% $213
Eating Out
Chiang Mai
$77
Krotoszyn
$202 164% $125
Getting Around
Chiang Mai
$59
Krotoszyn
$40 32.3% $19
Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
$51
Krotoszyn
$54 5.9% $3

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $481 in Chiang Mai versus $595 in Krotoszyn. 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 64% higher in Krotoszyn. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $19 in Chiang Mai versus $63 in Krotoszyn. Groceries tell a different story – $237 in Chiang Mai vs $187 in Krotoszyn – so Krotoszyn wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🇵🇱 Krotoszyn
🕒 Local time
07:57 7:57 AM
01:57 1:57 AM
6 h behind Chiang Mai
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
127,240
28,580
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

PLN, USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 5, 2026: 1 USD = 33.59 THB (100 THB = 2.98 USD). 1 EUR = 37.81 THB (100 THB = 2.64 EUR).

Polish Złoty exchange rates as of November 5, 2026: 1 USD = 3.9 PLN (1 PLN = 0.256 USD). 1 EUR = 4.39 PLN (1 PLN = 0.228 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Chiang Mai Krotoszyn 7,800 km ≈ 10 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Chiang Mai
  • Krotoszyn

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Krotoszyn: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Krotoszyn?
Krotoszyn costs about 55% more than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from 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 and in Krotoszyn?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,403 per month in Chiang Mai and $2,175 in Krotoszyn. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Krotoszyn?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Chiang Mai, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $481 there versus $595 in Krotoszyn.
How do childcare costs compare in Chiang Mai and in Krotoszyn?
Kindergarten costs $727 per month in Chiang Mai and $319 in Krotoszyn. 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 Krotoszyn?
Interestingly, groceries are about 21% cheaper in Krotoszyn – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value.
Can you live on $800/month in Chiang Mai or in Krotoszyn?
$800 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $935 in Chiang Mai and $1,450 in Krotoszyn. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Chiang Mai or Krotoszyn?
It depends on your priorities. Chiang Mai has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $935 in Chiang Mai to $1,450 in Krotoszyn. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Krotoszyn?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or to Krotoszyn?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Krotoszyn makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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