๐A single person spends $845 per month in Chiang Mai vs $906 in Sarapul, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $1,323 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,396 in Sarapul, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $1,802 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,886 in Sarapul, rent included.
๐Chiang Mai is about 7% cheaper than Sarapul, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
๐Both Chiang Mai and Sarapul are more affordable than the global median โ Chiang Mai37% lower, Sarapul32% lower.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Sarapul
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.95เธฟ62.8
$8.46โฝ635
-76.95%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.43เธฟ594
$37.98โฝ2,850
-51.47%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.50เธฟ241
$4.41โฝ331
70.07%
Cappuccino
$1.93เธฟ62.3
$2.27โฝ171
-14.98%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78เธฟ25.08
$1.29โฝ96.9
-39.53%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32เธฟ10.42
$0.40โฝ29.81
-20.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.15เธฟ69.2
$2.85โฝ214
-24.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.71เธฟ120
$2.47โฝ185
50.20%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Sarapul
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.71เธฟ55.2
$1.04โฝ78.2
64.42%
White Bread(500g)
$1.56เธฟ50.3
$0.65โฝ48.98
140.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18เธฟ38.06
$1.66โฝ125
-28.92%
Eggs
$1.98เธฟ63.9
$1.39โฝ104
42.45%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.04เธฟ517
$5.65โฝ424
183.89%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.17เธฟ102
$3.86โฝ290
-17.88%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.94เธฟ353
$8.99โฝ674
21.69%
Apples(1kg)
$2.63เธฟ84.7
$1.47โฝ110
78.91%
Banana(1kg)
$1.17เธฟ37.61
$1.75โฝ131
-33.14%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.65เธฟ53.0
$1.32โฝ99.1
25.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.54เธฟ49.51
$2.44โฝ183
-36.89%
Potato(1kg)
$1.38เธฟ44.34
$0.51โฝ38.44
170.59%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17เธฟ37.54
$0.94โฝ70.3
24.47%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.66เธฟ21.25
$1.50โฝ113
-56.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51เธฟ16.55
$0.60โฝ45.16
-15.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.52เธฟ146
$3.13โฝ235
44.41%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.32เธฟ590
$4.08โฝ306
349.02%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.80เธฟ57.9
$0.61โฝ45.66
195.08%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18เธฟ102
$1.87โฝ140
70.05%
๐ Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Sarapul
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.90เธฟ28.97
$0.49โฝ36.83
83.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.00เธฟ612
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41เธฟ45.50
$3.19โฝ239
-55.80%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.31เธฟ42.15
$0.33โฝ24.61
296.97%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.09เธฟ261
$7.73โฝ580
4.66%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.28เธฟ41.08
$0.58โฝ43.18
120.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.3Kเธฟ686.1K
$32.3Kโฝ2.4M
-34.03%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.7Kเธฟ699.3K
$32.3Kโฝ2.4M
-32.73%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Sarapul
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$69.2เธฟ2,230
$96.8โฝ7,263
-28.50%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.97เธฟ450
$4.70โฝ353
197.23%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.95เธฟ578
$7.03โฝ528
155.33%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Sarapul
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.31เธฟ1,363
$36.25โฝ2,720
16.72%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.66เธฟ214
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.92เธฟ191
$5.19โฝ390
14.07%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Sarapul
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$299เธฟ9,640
$330โฝ24.8K
-9.37%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.8Kเธฟ478.4K
$7,103โฝ533.0K
109.06%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Sarapul
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.2เธฟ1,810
$68.7โฝ5,158
-18.26%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.94เธฟ868
$44.23โฝ3,319
-39.09%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.9เธฟ2,735
$114โฝ8,582
-25.79%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.8เธฟ2,314
$108โฝ8,108
-33.52%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Sarapul
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$435เธฟ14.0K
$445โฝ33.4K
-2.14%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$240เธฟ7,727
$309โฝ23.2K
-22.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$798เธฟ25.7K
$762โฝ57.2K
4.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$498เธฟ16.1K
$506โฝ38.0K
-1.59%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,995เธฟ64.3K
$2,302โฝ172.7K
-13.31%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,532เธฟ49.4K
$1,333โฝ100.0K
14.95%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Sarapul
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$628เธฟ20.2K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
16.33
-69.38%
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 Sarapul: April 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $435 in Chiang Mai versus $445 in Sarapul. 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 Sarapul. Groceries tell a different story โ $244 in Chiang Mai vs $159 in Sarapul โ so Sarapul 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 Sarapul: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Sarapul?
Sarapul costs about 7% more than Chiang Mai, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 Sarapul?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,267 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,359 in Sarapul. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Sarapul?
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 Sarapul?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $18.00 in Chiang Mai and $38.00 in Sarapul. 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 Sarapul?
Interestingly, groceries are about 53% cheaper in Sarapul 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 Sarapul?
$800 covers both cities comfortably โ all-in costs are $845 in Chiang Mai and $906 in Sarapul, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Sarapul?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $845 versus $906 in Sarapul. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Sarapul?
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 Sarapul?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Sarapul makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared