🙂A single person spends $869 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,283 in Legnica, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,362 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,992 in Legnica, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,855 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,701 in Legnica, rent included.
🙂Chiang Mai is about 32% cheaper than Legnica, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Chiang Mai and Legnica are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai35% lower, Legnica5% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Legnica
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.98฿64.3
$10.24zł 37.43
-80.66%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.80฿612
$27.41zł 100
-31.41%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.75฿252
$8.23zł 30.06
-5.83%
Cappuccino
$1.92฿62.5
$3.30zł 12.05
-41.82%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79฿25.79
$1.92zł 7.03
-58.85%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36฿11.62
$1.12zł 4.08
-67.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21฿72.1
$3.23zł 11.80
-31.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66฿119
$3.97zł 14.51
-7.81%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Legnica
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.65฿53.8
$0.90zł 3.28
83.33%
White Bread(500g)
$1.63฿53.2
$1.16zł 4.25
40.52%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.19฿38.86
$1.22zł 4.44
-2.46%
Eggs
$2.00฿65.1
$3.15zł 11.52
-36.51%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.98฿520
$8.63zł 31.53
85.17%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.03฿98.5
$6.74zł 24.62
-55.04%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.86฿354
$7.82zł 28.60
38.87%
Apples(1kg)
$2.76฿90.0
$1.15zł 4.22
140.00%
Banana(1kg)
$1.18฿38.42
$1.80zł 6.59
-34.44%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.64฿53.5
$1.97zł 7.18
-16.75%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.52฿49.51
$2.89zł 10.58
-47.40%
Potato(1kg)
$1.38฿45.10
$0.95zł 3.46
45.26%
Onion(1kg)
$1.19฿38.84
$1.06zł 3.86
12.26%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.70฿22.86
$1.07zł 3.91
-34.58%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56฿18.13
$0.57zł 2.09
-1.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.58฿149
$4.81zł 17.59
-4.78%
Wine(Bottle)
$16.56฿539
$7.10zł 25.93
133.24%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83฿59.5
$0.84zł 3.09
117.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.20฿104
$1.95zł 7.13
64.10%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Legnica
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.88฿28.56
$1.17zł 4.26
-24.79%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.72฿610
$49.59zł 181
-62.25%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.36฿44.16
$2.21zł 8.08
-38.46%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.34฿43.65
$0.48zł 1.74
179.17%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.84฿256
$13.48zł 49.28
-41.84%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.23฿39.92
$1.69zł 6.19
-27.22%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.6K฿704.3K
$33.1Kzł 121.2K
-34.77%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5K฿734.3K
$28.7Kzł 105.0K
-21.52%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Legnica
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.5฿2,298
$333zł 1,216
-78.80%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.68฿445
$8.69zł 31.77
57.42%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.45฿568
$13.80zł 50.5
26.45%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Legnica
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.33฿1,346
$32.74zł 120
26.24%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.96฿227
$40.81zł 149
-82.95%
Cinema Ticket
$5.77฿188
$6.82zł 24.91
-15.40%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Legnica
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$307฿10.0K
$325zł 1,187
-5.41%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.6K฿475.9K
$9,505zł 34.7K
53.70%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Legnica
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.8฿1,817
$90.4zł 331
-38.31%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.21฿854
$30.57zł 112
-14.26%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$85.8฿2,793
$74.6zł 272
15.02%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$72.2฿2,353
$96.2zł 352
-24.93%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Legnica
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$430฿14.0K
$483zł 1,766
-11.07%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$239฿7,774
$322zł 1,175
-25.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$817฿26.6K
$962zł 3,515
-15.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$511฿16.6K
$814zł 2,974
-37.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,983฿64.6K
$3,224zł 11.8K
-38.50%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,484฿48.3K
$2,435zł 8,899
-39.05%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Legnica
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$619฿20.2K
$1,402zł 5,125
-55.87%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
6.78
-26.25%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: June 7, 2026
Last update for Legnica: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $430 in Chiang Mai versus $483 in Legnica. 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 127% higher in Legnica, 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 $27.00 in Legnica. Groceries tell a different story – $241 in Chiang Mai vs $198 in Legnica – so Legnica 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 Legnica: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Legnica?
Legnica costs about 48% 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 Legnica?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,303 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,924 in Legnica. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Legnica?
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 Legnica?
Kindergarten costs $307 per month in Chiang Mai and $325 in Legnica. 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 Legnica?
Interestingly, groceries are about 21% cheaper in Legnica – 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 Legnica?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $869, than in Legnica at $1,283. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Legnica it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Legnica?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $869 versus $1,283 in Legnica. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Legnica?
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 Legnica?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Legnica makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared