๐A single person spends $845 per month in Chiang Mai vs $978 in Orekhovo-Zuyevo, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $1,323 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,472 in Orekhovo-Zuyevo, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $1,802 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,965 in Orekhovo-Zuyevo, rent included.
๐Chiang Mai is about 14% cheaper than Orekhovo-Zuyevo, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Both Chiang Mai and Orekhovo-Zuyevo are more affordable than the global median โ Chiang Mai37% lower, Orekhovo-Zuyevo27% lower.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Orekhovo-Zuyevo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.95เธฟ62.8
$9.46โฝ710
-79.39%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.43เธฟ594
$37.72โฝ2,830
-51.14%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.50เธฟ241
$5.59โฝ419
34.17%
Cappuccino
$1.93เธฟ62.3
$2.27โฝ170
-14.98%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78เธฟ25.08
$1.12โฝ84.1
-30.36%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32เธฟ10.42
$0.52โฝ39.38
-38.46%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.15เธฟ69.2
$1.42โฝ107
51.41%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.71เธฟ120
$2.53โฝ190
46.64%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Orekhovo-Zuyevo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.71เธฟ55.2
$0.90โฝ67.9
90.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.56เธฟ50.3
$0.70โฝ52.6
122.86%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18เธฟ38.06
$1.43โฝ107
-17.48%
Eggs
$1.98เธฟ63.9
$1.78โฝ134
11.24%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.04เธฟ517
$10.64โฝ799
50.75%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.17เธฟ102
$4.84โฝ363
-34.50%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.94เธฟ353
$8.69โฝ652
25.89%
Apples(1kg)
$2.63เธฟ84.7
$1.82โฝ136
44.51%
Banana(1kg)
$1.17เธฟ37.61
$1.83โฝ137
-36.07%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.65เธฟ53.0
$1.89โฝ142
-12.70%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.54เธฟ49.51
$2.77โฝ208
-44.40%
Potato(1kg)
$1.38เธฟ44.34
$0.84โฝ63.2
64.29%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17เธฟ37.54
$0.71โฝ53.0
64.79%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.66เธฟ21.25
$1.40โฝ105
-52.86%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51เธฟ16.55
$0.70โฝ52.8
-27.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.52เธฟ146
$2.92โฝ219
54.79%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.32เธฟ590
$5.40โฝ405
239.26%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.80เธฟ57.9
$0.95โฝ71.2
89.47%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18เธฟ102
$1.95โฝ146
63.08%
๐ Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Orekhovo-Zuyevo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.90เธฟ28.97
$0.53โฝ39.73
69.81%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.00เธฟ612
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41เธฟ45.50
$1.94โฝ145
-27.32%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.31เธฟ42.15
$0.32โฝ24.31
309.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.09เธฟ261
$6.23โฝ468
29.86%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.28เธฟ41.08
$0.78โฝ58.3
64.10%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.3Kเธฟ686.1K
$34.9Kโฝ2.6M
-39.03%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.7Kเธฟ699.3K
$35.2Kโฝ2.6M
-38.36%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Orekhovo-Zuyevo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$69.2เธฟ2,230
$107โฝ8,052
-35.51%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.97เธฟ450
$6.04โฝ454
131.29%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.95เธฟ578
$7.76โฝ582
131.31%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Orekhovo-Zuyevo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.31เธฟ1,363
$35.92โฝ2,695
17.79%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.66เธฟ214
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.92เธฟ191
$5.09โฝ382
16.31%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Orekhovo-Zuyevo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$299เธฟ9,640
$326โฝ24.4K
-8.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8Kเธฟ478.4K
$6,995โฝ524.9K
112.29%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Orekhovo-Zuyevo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.2เธฟ1,810
$69.7โฝ5,232
-19.41%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.94เธฟ868
$45.13โฝ3,387
-40.31%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.9เธฟ2,735
$116โฝ8,706
-26.85%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.8เธฟ2,314
$105โฝ7,883
-31.62%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Orekhovo-Zuyevo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$435เธฟ14.0K
$447โฝ33.5K
-2.63%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$240เธฟ7,727
$302โฝ22.7K
-20.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$798เธฟ25.7K
$776โฝ58.2K
2.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$498เธฟ16.1K
$501โฝ37.6K
-0.48%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,995เธฟ64.3K
$2,088โฝ156.7K
-4.43%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,532เธฟ49.4K
$1,476โฝ110.8K
3.78%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Orekhovo-Zuyevo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$628เธฟ20.2K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
15.33
-67.38%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Last update for Orekhovo-Zuyevo: April 19, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $435 in Chiang Mai versus $447 in Orekhovo-Zuyevo. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $18 in Chiang Mai versus $38 in Orekhovo-Zuyevo. Groceries tell a different story โ $244 in Chiang Mai vs $190 in Orekhovo-Zuyevo โ so Orekhovo-Zuyevo 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 Orekhovo-Zuyevo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Orekhovo-Zuyevo?
Orekhovo-Zuyevo costs about 16% 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 Orekhovo-Zuyevo?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,267 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,468 in Orekhovo-Zuyevo. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Orekhovo-Zuyevo?
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 Orekhovo-Zuyevo?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $18.00 in Chiang Mai and $38.00 in Orekhovo-Zuyevo. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and cafรฉ pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Chiang Mai or Orekhovo-Zuyevo?
Interestingly, groceries are about 28% cheaper in Orekhovo-Zuyevo โ 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 Orekhovo-Zuyevo?
$800 covers both cities comfortably โ all-in costs are $845 in Chiang Mai and $978 in Orekhovo-Zuyevo, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Orekhovo-Zuyevo?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $845 versus $978 in Orekhovo-Zuyevo. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Orekhovo-Zuyevo?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison โ central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or Orekhovo-Zuyevo?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Orekhovo-Zuyevo makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared