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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $932 per month in Chiang Mai vs $964 in Targoviste, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,399 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,409 in Targoviste, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,854 in Targoviste, rent included.

Chiang Mai is about 3% cheaper than Targoviste, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chiang Mai and Targoviste are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 32% lower, Targoviste 30% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Targoviste
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.08 ฿69.5
$7.69 RON 35.29
-72.95%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.61 ฿655
$27.08 RON 124
-27.58%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.67 ฿189
$6.58 RON 30.18
-13.83%
Cappuccino
$1.81 ฿60.3
$2.19 RON 10.03
-17.35%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77 ฿25.65
$1.44 RON 6.62
-46.53%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35 ฿11.53
$1.39 RON 6.36
-74.82%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.21 ฿73.9
$2.19 RON 10.03
0.91%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.79 ฿127
$2.83 RON 12.97
33.92%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Targoviste
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.05 ฿68.4
$1.34 RON 6.13
52.99%
White Bread (500g)
$1.51 ฿50.6
$0.91 RON 4.18
65.93%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.40 ฿46.69
$1.51 RON 6.92
-7.28%
Eggs
$2.26 ฿75.4
$2.73 RON 12.51
-17.22%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.19 ฿540
$3.31 RON 15.18
389.12%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.90 ฿96.7
$6.73 RON 30.90
-56.91%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.42 ฿314
$12.17 RON 55.8
-22.60%
Apples (1kg)
$2.68 ฿89.4
$1.01 RON 4.65
165.35%
Banana (1kg)
$1.09 ฿36.37
$1.54 RON 7.05
-29.22%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.62 ฿54.0
$1.54 RON 7.08
5.19%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.46 ฿48.74
$1.84 RON 8.45
-20.65%
Potato (1kg)
$1.28 ฿42.65
$0.82 RON 3.76
56.10%
Onion (1kg)
$1.06 ฿35.31
$0.95 RON 4.35
11.58%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.72 ฿23.94
$0.73 RON 3.35
-1.37%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53 ฿17.56
$0.74 RON 3.41
-28.38%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.23 ฿141
$6.10 RON 27.97
-30.66%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.29 ฿611
$5.82 RON 26.71
214.26%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.63 ฿54.4
$1.22 RON 5.58
33.61%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90 ฿96.8
$1.58 RON 7.25
83.54%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Targoviste
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.88 ฿29.32
$0.46 RON 2.10
91.30%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$53.8 ฿1,795
$23.00 RON 106
133.78%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.17 ฿39.14
$0.65 RON 2.98
80.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.58 ฿19.30
$0.63 RON 2.90
-7.94%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.39 ฿79.6
$6.79 RON 31.15
-64.80%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 ฿48.41
$1.63 RON 7.47
-11.04%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.0K ฿701.4K
$29.2K RON 133.8K
-27.93%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.4K ฿882.0K
$27.2K RON 124.9K
-2.95%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Targoviste
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$63.7 ฿2,125
$208 RON 953
-69.36%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.89 ฿430
$7.71 RON 35.38
67.19%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.52 ฿685
$8.68 RON 39.83
136.41%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Targoviste
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$39.02 ฿1,302
$22.28 RON 102
75.13%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.92 ฿131
$21.50 RON 98.7
-81.77%
Cinema Ticket
$6.58 ฿220
$3.39 RON 15.57
94.10%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Targoviste
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$784 ฿26.2K
$335 RON 1,538
133.93%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.7K ฿489.8K
$8,641 RON 39.6K
69.80%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Targoviste
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.1 ฿1,840
$59.4 RON 272
-7.19%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.74 ฿826
$33.36 RON 153
-25.84%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$94.1 ฿3,142
$56.0 RON 257
68.13%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.0 ฿2,469
$78.0 RON 358
-5.19%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Targoviste
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$490 ฿16.4K
$365 RON 1,675
34.33%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$288 ฿9,620
$282 RON 1,293
2.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$891 ฿29.8K
$467 RON 2,144
90.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$521 ฿17.4K
$421 RON 1,931
23.84%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,974 ฿65.9K
$1,931 RON 8,861
2.19%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,444 ฿48.2K
$1,380 RON 6,334
4.62%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Targoviste
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$602 ฿20.1K
$924 RON 4,239
-34.88%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
6.84
-18.57%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 13, 2026

Last update for Targoviste: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $490 in Chiang Mai versus $365 in Targoviste. 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 54% higher in Targoviste, 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 $20.00 in Chiang Mai versus $27.00 in Targoviste. Groceries tell a different story – $241 in Chiang Mai vs $186 in Targoviste – so Targoviste 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 Targoviste: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Targoviste?
Targoviste costs about 3% 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 Targoviste?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,398 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,446 in Targoviste. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Targoviste?
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 Targoviste?
Kindergarten costs $784 per month in Chiang Mai and $335 in Targoviste. 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 Targoviste?
Interestingly, groceries are about 29% cheaper in Targoviste – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Chiang Mai or in Targoviste?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $932, than in Targoviste at $964. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Targoviste it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Targoviste?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $932 versus $964 in Targoviste. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Targoviste?
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 Targoviste?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Targoviste makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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