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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $861 per month in Chiang Mai vs $854 in Targovishte, rent included.

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

A family of three spends $1,838 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,845 in Targovishte, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 1% more than Targovishte, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chiang Mai and Targovishte are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 36% lower, Targovishte 36% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Targovishte
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.96 ฿65.9
$9.00 BGN 14.98
-78.22%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.35 ฿617
$42.05 BGN 70.0
-56.36%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.48 ฿252
$8.60 BGN 14.30
-13.02%
Cappuccino
$2.02 ฿67.8
$2.47 BGN 4.10
-18.22%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.85 ฿28.52
$1.44 BGN 2.39
-40.97%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36 ฿11.97
$0.85 BGN 1.41
-57.65%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.14 ฿71.9
$2.96 BGN 4.93
-27.70%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.59 ฿121
$2.97 BGN 4.94
20.88%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Targovishte
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.65 ฿55.5
$1.61 BGN 2.68
2.48%
White Bread (500g)
$1.57 ฿52.7
$0.76 BGN 1.26
106.58%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.19 ฿40.05
$2.13 BGN 3.55
-44.13%
Eggs
$1.94 ฿65.1
$2.80 BGN 4.66
-30.71%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.19 ฿545
$8.66 BGN 14.41
86.95%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.99 ฿101
$5.80 BGN 9.64
-48.45%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.94 ฿368
$8.89 BGN 14.80
23.06%
Apples (1kg)
$2.71 ฿91.2
$1.56 BGN 2.59
73.72%
Banana (1kg)
$1.17 ฿39.27
$1.70 BGN 2.82
-31.18%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.69 ฿56.8
$1.64 BGN 2.73
3.05%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.60 ฿54.0
$2.46 BGN 4.10
-34.96%
Potato (1kg)
$1.38 ฿46.56
$1.03 BGN 1.71
33.98%
Onion (1kg)
$1.20 ฿40.47
$1.14 BGN 1.90
5.26%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.67 ฿22.51
$0.92 BGN 1.53
-27.17%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56 ฿18.74
$0.62 BGN 1.03
-9.68%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.64 ฿156
$3.52 BGN 5.85
31.82%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.62 ฿593
$5.95 BGN 9.90
196.13%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.86 ฿62.6
$0.68 BGN 1.13
173.53%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.30 ฿111
$1.08 BGN 1.79
205.56%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Targovishte
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.88 ฿29.70
$0.84 BGN 1.39
4.76%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$19.34 ฿651
$26.08 BGN 43.38
-25.84%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.36 ฿45.92
$1.20 BGN 1.99
13.33%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.34 ฿45.00
$0.48 BGN 0.81
179.17%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.21 ฿276
$10.74 BGN 17.87
-23.56%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.22 ฿41.20
$1.59 BGN 2.64
-23.27%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.4K ฿718.5K
$31.7K BGN 52.8K
-32.71%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5K ฿758.1K
$20.7K BGN 34.4K
8.95%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Targovishte
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$70.7 ฿2,378
$58.5 BGN 97.2
20.91%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.04 ฿472
$8.97 BGN 14.92
56.52%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.49 ฿589
$13.08 BGN 21.77
33.72%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Targovishte
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.15 ฿1,418
$17.93 BGN 29.83
135.08%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.88 ฿231
$23.56 BGN 39.20
-70.80%
Cinema Ticket
$5.92 ฿199
$4.75 BGN 7.90
24.63%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Targovishte
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$309 ฿10.4K
$417 BGN 693
-25.95%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.9K ฿500.7K
$5,466 BGN 9,093
172.20%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Targovishte
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.8 ฿1,876
$61.2 BGN 102
-8.92%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.11 ฿879
$34.99 BGN 58.2
-25.38%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$83.0 ฿2,793
$93.6 BGN 156
-11.29%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$70.5 ฿2,371
$107 BGN 178
-34.06%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Targovishte
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$432 ฿14.5K
$147 BGN 245
193.79%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$239 ฿8,040
$228 BGN 380
4.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$822 ฿27.7K
$381 BGN 634
115.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$512 ฿17.2K
$359 BGN 597
42.76%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,915 ฿64.4K
$1,369 BGN 2,278
39.84%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,467 ฿49.4K
$1,166 BGN 1,940
25.79%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Targovishte
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$579 ฿19.5K
$1,301 BGN 2,164
-55.46%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5
4.49
11.36%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: July 12, 2026

Last update for Targovishte: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $432 in Chiang Mai versus $147 in Targovishte. 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 125% higher in Targovishte, 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 $18.00 in Chiang Mai versus $42.00 in Targovishte. Groceries tell a different story – $243 in Chiang Mai vs $196 in Targovishte – so Targovishte 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 Targovishte: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Targovishte?
Chiang Mai costs about 1% more than Targovishte, 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 Targovishte?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,292 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,282 in Targovishte. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Targovishte?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Targovishte, 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 Targovishte?
Kindergarten costs $309 per month in Chiang Mai and $417 in Targovishte. 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 Targovishte?
Groceries cost about 24% 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.
Can you live on $1,200/month in Chiang Mai or in Targovishte?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $861 in Chiang Mai and $854 in Targovishte, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Targovishte?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Targovishte costs $854 versus $861 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Targovishte?
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 Targovishte?
If budget matters most, go with Targovishte. 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.

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