Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Sundbyberg

For one person, living is cheaper in Chiang Mai: $960 a month against $1,813 in Sundbyberg, rent and utilities included – about $10,200 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Chiang Mai, Thailand
Sundbyberg, Sweden
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$960
/mo nomad
Sundbyberg
🇸🇪 Sweden
$1,813
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chiang Mai and in Sundbyberg

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Chiang Mai and in Sundbyberg actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $960 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,813 in Sundbyberg, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $960
  • Sundbyberg $1,813

A couple spends around $1,499 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,816 in Sundbyberg, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,499
  • Sundbyberg $2,816

A family of three spends $2,037 per month in Chiang Mai vs $3,819 in Sundbyberg, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $2,037
  • Sundbyberg $3,819

Chiang Mai is about 47% cheaper than Sundbyberg, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Chiang Mai sits 28% below the global median, while Sundbyberg is 36% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Sundbyberg
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.12 ฿70.8
$13.77 SEK 135
-84.60%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.74 ฿627
$66.8 SEK 653
-71.93%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.39 ฿180
$10.11 SEK 99.0
-46.69%
Cappuccino
$1.74 ฿58.1
$4.50 SEK 44.04
-61.33%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.71 ฿23.87
$2.53 SEK 24.74
-71.94%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33 ฿11.08
$2.28 SEK 22.29
-85.53%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.38 ฿79.8
$7.06 SEK 69.1
-66.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.83 ฿128
$7.14 SEK 69.9
-46.36%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Sundbyberg
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.99 ฿66.7
$1.72 SEK 16.82
15.70%
White Bread (500g)
$1.43 ฿47.92
$3.21 SEK 31.41
-55.45%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.36 ฿45.34
$3.09 SEK 30.29
-55.99%
Eggs
$2.31 ฿77.2
$4.68 SEK 45.85
-50.64%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.65 ฿557
$11.63 SEK 114
43.16%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.80 ฿93.8
$13.32 SEK 130
-78.98%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.38 ฿314
$28.05 SEK 275
-66.56%
Apples (1kg)
$2.48 ฿83.1
$3.16 SEK 30.97
-21.52%
Banana (1kg)
$1.06 ฿35.31
$2.76 SEK 27.02
-61.59%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.69 ฿56.6
$2.00 SEK 19.61
-15.50%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.63 ฿54.5
$4.64 SEK 45.39
-64.87%
Potato (1kg)
$1.32 ฿44.26
$1.52 SEK 14.89
-13.16%
Onion (1kg)
$1.11 ฿37.04
$1.84 SEK 18.04
-39.67%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.73 ฿24.40
$2.32 SEK 22.76
-68.53%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55 ฿18.54
$1.92 SEK 18.82
-71.35%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.38 ฿146
$6.28 SEK 61.5
-30.25%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.62 ฿589
$10.15 SEK 99.4
73.60%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.58 ฿53.0
$2.00 SEK 19.61
-21.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.79 ฿93.3
$2.57 SEK 25.17
8.56%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Sundbyberg
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.86 ฿28.77
$4.03 SEK 39.40
-78.66%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$54.4 ฿1,820
$99.4 SEK 973
-45.28%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.22 ฿40.80
$8.96 SEK 87.7
-86.38%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.22 ฿7.28
$1.26 SEK 12.35
-82.54%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.75 ฿58.7
$22.61 SEK 221
-92.26%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 ฿48.38
$1.71 SEK 16.78
-15.20%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.0K ฿702.5K
$20.6K SEK 201.4K
2.05%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7K ฿893.5K
$25.9K SEK 253.2K
3.28%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Sundbyberg
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$63.5 ฿2,123
$105 SEK 1,027
-39.49%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.87 ฿397
$28.96 SEK 283
-59.01%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.59 ฿689
$46.33 SEK 453
-55.56%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Sundbyberg
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.33 ฿1,449
$33.46 SEK 328
29.50%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.68 ฿157
$26.83 SEK 263
-82.56%
Cinema Ticket
$6.62 ฿221
$17.32 SEK 170
-61.78%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Sundbyberg
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$743 ฿24.8K
$62.0 SEK 607
1098.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.6K ฿554.3K
$4,905 SEK 48.0K
237.81%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Sundbyberg
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.6 ฿1,793
$71.4 SEK 698
-24.86%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.24 ฿844
$51.5 SEK 505
-51.03%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$93.1 ฿3,115
$75.4 SEK 738
23.45%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$72.1 ฿2,412
$137 SEK 1,342
-47.40%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Sundbyberg
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$488 ฿16.3K
$1,054 SEK 10.3K
-53.75%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$320 ฿10.7K
$614 SEK 6,015
-47.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,036 ฿34.7K
$1,711 SEK 16.7K
-39.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$667 ฿22.3K
$1,035 SEK 10.1K
-35.52%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,407 ฿80.5K
$4,034 SEK 39.5K
-40.32%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,647 ฿55.1K
$2,841 SEK 27.8K
-42.01%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Sundbyberg
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$590 ฿19.7K
$2,572 SEK 25.2K
-77.06%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
2.8
98.93%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: November 8, 2026

Last update for Sundbyberg: November 9, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
$320
Sundbyberg
$614 91.8% $294
Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
$239
Sundbyberg
$406 69.6% $166
Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
$110
Sundbyberg
$151 37.4% $41
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
$96
Sundbyberg
$180 87.8% $84
Eating Out
Chiang Mai
$78
Sundbyberg
$263 239% $186
Getting Around
Chiang Mai
$60
Sundbyberg
$131 117% $71
Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
$57
Sundbyberg
$68 20.4% $12

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $488 in Chiang Mai versus $1,054 in Sundbyberg. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Sundbyberg are about 4.4 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $19 in Chiang Mai versus $67 in Sundbyberg. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $239 vs $406 – making Chiang Mai the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🇸🇪 Sundbyberg
🕒 Local time
01:57 1:57 AM
19:57 7:57 PM
6 h behind Chiang Mai
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
127,240
54,120
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

SEK, USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 10, 2026: 1 USD = 33.45 THB (100 THB = 2.99 USD). 1 EUR = 37.55 THB (100 THB = 2.66 EUR).

Swedish Krona exchange rates as of November 10, 2026: 1 USD = 9.79 SEK (1 SEK = 0.102 USD). 1 EUR = 10.99 SEK (100 SEK = 9.1 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Chiang Mai Sundbyberg 7,710 km ≈ 10 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Chiang Mai
  • Sundbyberg

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Sundbyberg: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Sundbyberg?
Sundbyberg costs about 89% more than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from 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 Sundbyberg?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,439 per month in Chiang Mai and $2,720 in Sundbyberg. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Sundbyberg?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Chiang Mai, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $488 there versus $1,054 in Sundbyberg.
How do childcare costs compare in Chiang Mai and in Sundbyberg?
Kindergarten costs $743 per month in Chiang Mai and $62 in Sundbyberg. 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 Sundbyberg?
Groceries cost about 70% more in Sundbyberg, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $800/month in Chiang Mai or in Sundbyberg?
$800 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $960 in Chiang Mai and $1,813 in Sundbyberg. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Chiang Mai or Sundbyberg?
It depends on your priorities. Chiang Mai has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $960 in Chiang Mai to $1,813 in Sundbyberg. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or to Sundbyberg?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Sundbyberg makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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