ðA single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $971 in Neftekamsk, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,354 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,466 in Neftekamsk, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,857 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,961 in Neftekamsk, rent included.
ðChiang Mai is about 12% cheaper than Neftekamsk, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðBoth Chiang Mai and Neftekamsk are more affordable than the global median â Chiang Mai36% lower, Neftekamsk28% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Neftekamsk
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.96āļŋ64.0
$8.52â―640
-77.00%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.81āļŋ615
$38.71â―2,907
-51.41%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.92āļŋ259
$4.57â―343
73.30%
Cappuccino
$1.91āļŋ62.6
$2.36â―177
-19.07%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84āļŋ27.41
$1.27â―95.7
-33.86%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35āļŋ11.51
$0.39â―29.43
-10.26%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21āļŋ72.1
$2.88â―217
-23.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80āļŋ124
$2.59â―194
46.72%
ð Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Neftekamsk
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.64āļŋ53.5
$1.06â―79.4
54.72%
White Bread(500g)
$1.62āļŋ53.1
$0.66â―49.52
145.45%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18āļŋ38.62
$1.65â―124
-28.48%
Eggs
$2.01āļŋ65.8
$1.76â―132
14.20%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.89āļŋ520
$14.45â―1,085
9.97%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.01āļŋ98.5
$3.78â―284
-20.37%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.77āļŋ352
$9.09â―683
18.48%
Apples(1kg)
$2.61āļŋ85.5
$1.78â―134
46.63%
Banana(1kg)
$1.22āļŋ39.88
$1.89â―142
-35.45%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.70āļŋ55.7
$1.37â―103
24.09%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.58āļŋ51.5
$2.96â―223
-46.62%
Potato(1kg)
$1.32āļŋ43.14
$1.13â―84.9
16.81%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17āļŋ38.23
$1.00â―74.9
17.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67āļŋ21.98
$1.53â―115
-56.21%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56āļŋ18.32
$0.65â―48.64
-13.85%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.53āļŋ148
$3.09â―232
46.60%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.20āļŋ595
$6.56â―492
177.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83āļŋ60.0
$0.80â―60.4
128.75%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23āļŋ106
$1.96â―147
64.80%
ð Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Neftekamsk
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.89āļŋ29.00
$0.49â―36.51
81.63%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.38āļŋ634
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.35āļŋ44.20
$3.26â―245
-58.59%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.35āļŋ44.05
$0.35â―26.58
285.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.25āļŋ270
$7.81â―587
5.63%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27āļŋ41.64
$0.74â―55.3
71.62%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
$32.3Kâ―2.4M
-34.56%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
$31.8Kâ―2.4M
-29.34%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Neftekamsk
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.2āļŋ2,294
$98.1â―7,365
-28.45%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.77āļŋ450
$4.84â―364
184.50%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.60āļŋ575
$6.86â―515
156.56%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Neftekamsk
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.57āļŋ1,360
$35.55â―2,670
16.93%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.60āļŋ216
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.78āļŋ189
$4.99â―375
15.83%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Neftekamsk
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$306āļŋ10.0K
$324â―24.3K
-5.49%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
$6,940â―521.3K
113.62%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Neftekamsk
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.4āļŋ1,778
$68.7â―5,161
-20.88%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.14āļŋ855
$44.95â―3,376
-41.85%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.5āļŋ2,764
$116â―8,733
-27.28%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.4āļŋ2,270
$105â―7,897
-33.96%
ð Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Neftekamsk
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$424āļŋ13.9K
$442â―33.2K
-4.15%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$238āļŋ7,788
$308â―23.1K
-22.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$825āļŋ27.0K
$770â―57.8K
7.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$515āļŋ16.8K
$504â―37.8K
2.31%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
$1,883â―141.5K
8.82%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
$1,430â―107.4K
6.52%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Neftekamsk
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$635āļŋ20.8K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
10.6
-52.83%
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 Neftekamsk: April 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $424 in Chiang Mai versus $442 in Neftekamsk. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $39.00 in Neftekamsk. Groceries tell a different story â $243 in Chiang Mai vs $201 in Neftekamsk â so Neftekamsk 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 Neftekamsk: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Neftekamsk?
Neftekamsk costs about 14% 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 Neftekamsk?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,278 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,456 in Neftekamsk. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Neftekamsk?
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 dining costs compare in Chiang Mai vs Neftekamsk?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Chiang Mai and $39.00 in Neftekamsk. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and cafÃĐ pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Chiang Mai or Neftekamsk?
Interestingly, groceries are about 21% cheaper in Neftekamsk â one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $800/month in Chiang Mai or Neftekamsk?
$800 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $852 in Chiang Mai and $971 in Neftekamsk, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Neftekamsk?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $971 in Neftekamsk. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Neftekamsk?
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 Neftekamsk?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Neftekamsk makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared