Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Roskilde Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Roskilde

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $861 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,527 in Roskilde, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,350 per month in Chiang Mai vs $3,894 in Roskilde, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,838 per month in Chiang Mai vs $5,262 in Roskilde, rent included.

Chiang Mai is about 66% cheaper than Roskilde, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Chiang Mai sits 36% below the global median, while Roskilde is 89% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Roskilde
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.96 ฿65.9
$18.81 DKK 123
-89.58%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.35 ฿617
$119 DKK 775
-84.52%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.48 ฿252
$13.75 DKK 90.0
-45.60%
Cappuccino
$2.02 ฿67.8
$6.89 DKK 45.10
-70.68%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.85 ฿28.52
$4.55 DKK 29.75
-81.32%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36 ฿11.97
$3.10 DKK 20.30
-88.39%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.14 ฿71.9
$9.49 DKK 62.1
-77.45%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.59 ฿121
$7.65 DKK 50.0
-53.07%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Roskilde
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.65 ฿55.5
$2.00 DKK 13.11
-17.50%
White Bread (500g)
$1.57 ฿52.7
$3.15 DKK 20.60
-50.16%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.19 ฿40.05
$2.43 DKK 15.87
-51.03%
Eggs
$1.94 ฿65.1
$5.01 DKK 32.76
-61.28%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.19 ฿545
$13.71 DKK 89.7
18.09%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.99 ฿101
$10.58 DKK 69.2
-71.74%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.94 ฿368
$15.94 DKK 104
-31.37%
Apples (1kg)
$2.71 ฿91.2
$2.65 DKK 17.36
2.26%
Banana (1kg)
$1.17 ฿39.27
$2.91 DKK 19.03
-59.79%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.69 ฿56.8
$2.08 DKK 13.59
-18.75%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.60 ฿54.0
$4.09 DKK 26.76
-60.88%
Potato (1kg)
$1.38 ฿46.56
$1.82 DKK 11.92
-24.18%
Onion (1kg)
$1.20 ฿40.47
$1.49 DKK 9.73
-19.46%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.67 ฿22.51
$1.57 DKK 10.25
-57.32%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56 ฿18.74
$0.81 DKK 5.30
-30.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.64 ฿156
$9.02 DKK 59.0
-48.56%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.62 ฿593
$7.45 DKK 48.72
136.51%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.86 ฿62.6
$1.92 DKK 12.56
-3.12%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.30 ฿111
$2.05 DKK 13.38
60.98%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Roskilde
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.88 ฿29.70
$3.70 DKK 24.22
-76.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$19.34 ฿651
$78.5 DKK 513
-75.35%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.36 ฿45.92
$6.05 DKK 39.57
-77.52%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.34 ฿45.00
$1.41 DKK 9.20
-4.96%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.21 ฿276
$61.3 DKK 401
-86.61%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.22 ฿41.20
$2.11 DKK 13.83
-42.18%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.4K ฿718.5K
$48.1K DKK 314.8K
-55.64%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5K ฿758.1K
$48.1K DKK 314.6K
-53.16%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Roskilde
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$70.7 ฿2,378
$206 DKK 1,347
-65.67%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.04 ฿472
$20.19 DKK 132
-30.46%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.49 ฿589
$40.22 DKK 263
-56.51%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Roskilde
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.15 ฿1,418
$54.9 DKK 359
-23.15%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.88 ฿231
$30.37 DKK 199
-77.35%
Cinema Ticket
$5.92 ฿199
$17.20 DKK 113
-65.58%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Roskilde
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$309 ฿10.4K
$381 DKK 2,495
-19.09%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.9K ฿500.7K
$5,941 DKK 38.9K
150.41%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Roskilde
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.8 ฿1,876
$101 DKK 662
-44.87%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.11 ฿879
$35.05 DKK 229
-25.51%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$83.0 ฿2,793
$120 DKK 784
-30.71%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$70.5 ฿2,371
$196 DKK 1,281
-64.02%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Roskilde
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$432 ฿14.5K
$1,346 DKK 8,806
-67.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$239 ฿8,040
$1,144 DKK 7,484
-79.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$822 ฿27.7K
$2,632 DKK 17.2K
-68.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$512 ฿17.2K
$2,120 DKK 13.9K
-75.84%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,915 ฿64.4K
$6,783 DKK 44.4K
-71.77%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,467 ฿49.4K
$6,120 DKK 40.0K
-76.03%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Roskilde
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$579 ฿19.5K
$4,162 DKK 27.2K
-86.08%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5
3.93
27.23%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: July 12, 2026

Last update for Roskilde: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $432 in Chiang Mai versus $1,346 in Roskilde. 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 618% higher in Roskilde, 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 $18.00 in Chiang Mai versus $119 in Roskilde. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $243 vs $336 – making Chiang Mai the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 Roskilde: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Roskilde?
Roskilde costs about 193% 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 and in Roskilde?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,292 per month in Chiang Mai and $3,790 in Roskilde. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Roskilde?
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 in Roskilde?
Kindergarten costs $309 per month in Chiang Mai and $381 in Roskilde. 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 Roskilde?
Groceries cost about 38% more in Roskilde, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Chiang Mai or in Roskilde?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $861, than in Roskilde at $2,527. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Roskilde it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Roskilde?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $861 versus $2,527 in Roskilde. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Roskilde?
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 to Roskilde?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Roskilde makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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