Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Sfantu Gheorghe Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Sfantu Gheorghe

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $950 per month in Chiang Mai vs $839 in Sfantu Gheorghe, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,430 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,355 in Sfantu Gheorghe, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,909 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,870 in Sfantu Gheorghe, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 13% more than Sfantu Gheorghe, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chiang Mai and Sfantu Gheorghe are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Sfantu Gheorghe 39% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.10 ฿69.4

$8.60 RON 38.95

-75.58%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.84 ฿656

$44.65 RON 202

-55.57%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.79 ฿192

$7.70 RON 34.89

-24.81%

Cappuccino

$1.83 ฿60.5

$2.61 RON 11.82

-29.89%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.78 ฿25.63

$1.34 RON 6.08

-41.79%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 ฿10.38

$1.08 RON 4.90

-71.30%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.34 ฿77.3

$2.59 RON 11.75

-9.65%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.70 ฿122

$2.25 RON 10.18

64.44%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.03 ฿67.1

$1.46 RON 6.60

39.04%

White Bread (500g)

$1.60 ฿52.8

$1.17 RON 5.29

36.75%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.42 ฿46.80

$1.47 RON 6.67

-3.40%

Eggs

$2.18 ฿72.0

$3.53 RON 15.99

-38.24%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.91 ฿526

$8.10 RON 36.72

96.42%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.07 ฿102

$4.80 RON 21.77

-36.04%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.87 ฿326

$8.36 RON 37.89

18.06%

Apples (1kg)

$2.63 ฿86.9

$1.14 RON 5.16

130.70%

Banana (1kg)

$1.10 ฿36.23

$1.63 RON 7.40

-32.52%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.63 ฿53.9

$1.27 RON 5.73

28.35%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.53 ฿50.6

$2.69 RON 12.17

-43.12%

Potato (1kg)

$1.24 ฿41.16

$0.70 RON 3.16

77.14%

Onion (1kg)

$1.13 ฿37.40

$0.63 RON 2.87

79.37%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.74 ฿24.41

$1.08 RON 4.88

-31.48%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.50 ฿16.50

$0.84 RON 3.80

-40.48%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.28 ฿142

$5.14 RON 23.29

-16.73%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.97 ฿594

$7.67 RON 34.76

134.29%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.70 ฿56.2

$0.97 RON 4.41

75.26%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.90 ฿95.8

$1.10 RON 4.97

163.64%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.94 ฿31.15

$0.90 RON 4.08

4.44%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$55.3 ฿1,828

$16.69 RON 75.6

231.28%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.23 ฿40.80

$1.02 RON 4.62

20.59%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.53 ฿17.67

$0.92 RON 4.19

-42.39%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.40 ฿79.4

$8.62 RON 39.06

-72.16%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.44 ฿47.60

$1.63 RON 7.38

-11.66%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$21.2K ฿700.9K

$30.1K RON 136.5K

-29.66%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$27.3K ฿903.0K

$26.1K RON 118.1K

4.75%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$64.9 ฿2,147

$121 RON 547

-46.19%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$13.35 ฿442

$9.53 RON 43.19

40.08%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.83 ฿689

$13.11 RON 59.4

58.89%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$40.42 ฿1,337

$42.20 RON 191

-4.22%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.95 ฿131

$21.66 RON 98.1

-81.76%

Cinema Ticket

$6.71 ฿222

$3.25 RON 14.73

106.46%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$787 ฿26.0K

$462 RON 2,093

70.39%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.1K ฿500.1K

$7,059 RON 32.0K

114.24%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.2 ฿1,859

$27.74 RON 126

102.70%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.95 ฿825

$14.43 RON 65.4

72.90%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$92.7 ฿3,066

$41.29 RON 187

124.53%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$75.1 ฿2,484

$66.4 RON 301

13.08%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$484 ฿16.0K

$304 RON 1,377

59.20%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$287 ฿9,500

$224 RON 1,015

28.24%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$910 ฿30.1K

$549 RON 2,486

65.80%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$531 ฿17.5K

$408 RON 1,850

29.93%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,980 ฿65.5K

$1,934 RON 8,761

2.39%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,451 ฿48.0K

$1,396 RON 6,325

3.95%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$605 ฿20.0K

$710 RON 3,218

-14.77%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

6.75

-17.48%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 7, 2026

Last update for Sfantu Gheorghe: September 5, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $484 in Chiang Mai versus $304 in Sfantu Gheorghe. 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 17% higher in Sfantu Gheorghe, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $20.00 in Chiang Mai versus $45.00 in Sfantu Gheorghe. Groceries tell a different story – $242 in Chiang Mai vs $194 in Sfantu Gheorghe – so Sfantu Gheorghe 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 Sfantu Gheorghe: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 13% more than Sfantu Gheorghe, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,426 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,259 in Sfantu Gheorghe. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Sfantu Gheorghe, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $787 per month in Chiang Mai and $462 in Sfantu Gheorghe. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 25% more in Chiang Mai, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Sfantu Gheorghe, where all-in costs run around $839, than in Chiang Mai at $950. In Sfantu Gheorghe it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Sfantu Gheorghe costs $839 versus $950 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Sfantu Gheorghe. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chiang Mai makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.