Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Targu Jiu Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Targu Jiu

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,027 in Targu Jiu, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,351 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,641 in Targu Jiu, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,835 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,255 in Targu Jiu, rent included.

Chiang Mai is about 16% cheaper than Targu Jiu, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chiang Mai and Targu Jiu are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 35% lower, Targu Jiu 23% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.94 ฿63.9

$13.95 RON 63.4

-86.09%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.64 ฿613

$68.1 RON 310

-72.63%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.82 ฿257

$8.01 RON 36.41

-2.37%

Cappuccino

$1.95 ฿64.2

$3.35 RON 15.25

-41.79%

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

$0.85 ฿27.95

$1.13 RON 5.13

-24.78%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.66

$2.40 RON 10.91

-85.42%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.13 ฿70.1

$3.53 RON 16.02

-39.66%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 ฿123

$3.86 RON 17.56

-3.37%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.71 ฿56.3

$1.73 RON 7.89

-1.16%

White Bread (500g)

$1.63 ฿53.5

$1.37 RON 6.24

18.98%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.14 ฿37.39

$1.91 RON 8.70

-40.31%

Eggs

$1.93 ฿63.5

$3.01 RON 13.67

-35.88%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.21 ฿533

$7.93 RON 36.03

104.41%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.12 ฿103

$3.17 RON 14.42

-1.58%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.90 ฿358

$7.98 RON 36.28

36.59%

Apples (1kg)

$2.75 ฿90.6

$1.01 RON 4.60

172.28%

Banana (1kg)

$1.21 ฿39.78

$1.64 RON 7.44

-26.22%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.62 ฿53.3

$1.26 RON 5.72

28.57%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.59 ฿52.2

$1.34 RON 6.11

18.66%

Potato (1kg)

$1.40 ฿46.00

$0.88 RON 4.00

59.09%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ฿38.41

$1.01 RON 4.60

15.84%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 ฿21.74

$0.67 RON 3.05

-1.49%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 ฿17.33

$0.59 RON 2.69

-10.17%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.69 ฿154

$5.60 RON 25.48

-16.25%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.66 ฿613

$3.03 RON 13.76

515.84%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.80 ฿59.2

$0.95 RON 4.31

89.47%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.23 ฿106

$1.13 RON 5.15

185.84%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.90 ฿29.44

$0.67 RON 3.05

34.33%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.21 ฿632

$20.17 RON 91.7

-4.76%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.41 ฿46.21

$0.72 RON 3.29

95.83%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.29 ฿42.39

$0.61 RON 2.79

111.48%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.84 ฿258

$6.85 RON 31.12

14.45%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 ฿41.85

$1.68 RON 7.65

-24.40%

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

$21.3K ฿699.4K

$28.8K RON 131.1K

-26.25%

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

$22.2K ฿730.1K

$30.8K RON 139.9K

-27.82%

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

$69.1 ฿2,270

$179 RON 813

-61.38%

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

$14.08 ฿463

$6.43 RON 29.24

118.97%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.00 ฿592

$10.49 RON 47.70

71.59%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.06 ฿1,350

$41.16 RON 187

-0.24%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.96 ฿229

$19.45 RON 88.4

-64.22%

Cinema Ticket

$5.92 ฿194

$9.29 RON 42.21

-36.28%

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

$299 ฿9,829

$656 RON 2,982

-54.42%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.0K ฿491.5K

$14.6K RON 66.2K

2.64%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.7 ฿1,798

$55.5 RON 252

-1.46%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.77 ฿880

$28.14 RON 128

-4.87%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.0 ฿2,793

$57.0 RON 259

49.21%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$70.6 ฿2,320

$91.8 RON 417

-23.06%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$428 ฿14.1K

$374 RON 1,702

14.35%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$237 ฿7,801

$256 RON 1,164

-7.27%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$801 ฿26.3K

$522 RON 2,374

53.42%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$515 ฿16.9K

$432 RON 1,966

19.20%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,975 ฿64.9K

$2,632 RON 12.0K

-24.98%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,475 ฿48.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$617 ฿20.3K

$544 RON 2,474

13.43%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

7.1

-29.58%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026

Last update for Targu Jiu: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $428 in Chiang Mai versus $374 in Targu Jiu. 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 13% higher in Chiang Mai, 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 $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $68.0 in Targu Jiu. Groceries tell a different story – $246 in Chiang Mai vs $168 in Targu Jiu – so Targu Jiu 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 Targu Jiu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Targu Jiu costs about 19% 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.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,300 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,541 in Targu Jiu. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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.

Kindergarten costs $299 per month in Chiang Mai and $656 in Targu Jiu. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 46% cheaper in Targu Jiu – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $866 in Chiang Mai and $1,027 in Targu Jiu, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $866 versus $1,027 in Targu Jiu. 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 Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Targu Jiu makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.