Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and UfaCost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Ufa
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂A single person spends $861 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,045 in Ufa, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,350 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,653 in Ufa, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,838 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,261 in Ufa, rent included.
🙂Chiang Mai is about 18% cheaper than Ufa, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Chiang Mai and Ufa are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai36% lower, Ufa22% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Ufa
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.96฿65.8
$10.06₽790
-80.52%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.35฿617
$51.5₽4,042
-64.34%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.48฿252
$6.46₽508
15.79%
Cappuccino
$2.02฿67.8
$2.98₽234
-32.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.85฿28.50
$1.11₽87.0
-23.42%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36฿11.96
$0.52₽40.83
-30.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.14฿71.8
$3.19₽250
-32.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.59฿121
$2.91₽229
23.37%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Ufa
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.65฿55.5
$1.07₽84.1
54.21%
White Bread(500g)
$1.57฿52.7
$0.74₽58.1
112.16%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.19฿40.02
$1.52₽119
-21.71%
Eggs
$1.94฿65.1
$1.73₽136
12.14%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.19฿544
$10.42₽819
55.37%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.99฿101
$4.86₽381
-38.48%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.94฿368
$8.24₽647
32.77%
Apples(1kg)
$2.71฿91.2
$1.94₽152
39.69%
Banana(1kg)
$1.17฿39.25
$2.05₽161
-42.93%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.69฿56.7
$2.69₽211
-37.17%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.60฿54.0
$3.00₽236
-46.67%
Potato(1kg)
$1.38฿46.54
$0.69₽54.4
100.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.20฿40.45
$0.80₽62.5
50.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67฿22.50
$1.79₽141
-62.57%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56฿18.73
$0.58₽45.19
-3.45%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.64฿156
$3.11₽244
49.20%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.62฿593
$13.03₽1,023
35.23%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.86฿62.5
$0.92₽71.9
102.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.30฿111
$1.71₽134
92.98%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Ufa
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.88฿29.68
$0.52₽41.16
69.23%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.34฿650
$33.20₽2,608
-41.75%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.36฿45.90
$1.95₽153
-30.26%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.34฿44.98
$1.13₽88.5
18.58%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.21฿276
$6.82₽536
20.38%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.22฿41.18
$0.73₽57.3
67.12%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.4K฿718.1K
$41.1K₽3.2M
-48.05%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5K฿757.7K
$47.8K₽3.8M
-52.90%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Ufa
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.7฿2,376
$123₽9,660
-42.53%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.04฿472
$6.28₽494
123.57%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.49฿588
$6.92₽543
152.75%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Ufa
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.15฿1,417
$25.56₽2,008
64.91%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.88฿231
$13.87₽1,090
-50.40%
Cinema Ticket
$5.92฿199
$5.27₽414
12.33%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Ufa
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$309฿10.4K
$379₽29.7K
-18.49%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.9K฿500.4K
$5,081₽399.2K
192.80%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Ufa
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.8฿1,875
$75.3₽5,919
-25.99%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.11฿878
$38.66₽3,037
-32.46%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$83.0฿2,792
$131₽10.3K
-36.65%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$70.5฿2,369
$114₽8,984
-38.40%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Ufa
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$432฿14.5K
$433₽34.0K
-0.23%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$239฿8,035
$301₽23.6K
-20.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$822฿27.7K
$855₽67.1K
-3.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$512฿17.2K
$536₽42.1K
-4.52%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,915฿64.4K
$2,496₽196.1K
-23.30%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,467฿49.3K
$2,041₽160.3K
-28.10%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Ufa
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$579฿19.5K
$855₽67.1K
-32.20%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
18.48
-72.94%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: July 12, 2026
Last update for Ufa: July 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $432 in Chiang Mai versus $433 in Ufa. 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 47% higher in Ufa, 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 $18.00 in Chiang Mai versus $51.0 in Ufa. Groceries tell a different story – $243 in Chiang Mai vs $211 in Ufa – so Ufa 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 Ufa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Ufa?
Ufa costs about 21% 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 Ufa?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,292 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,568 in Ufa. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Ufa?
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 Ufa?
Kindergarten costs $309 per month in Chiang Mai and $379 in Ufa. 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 Ufa?
Interestingly, groceries are about 15% cheaper in Ufa – 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 Ufa?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $861, than in Ufa at $1,045. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ufa it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Ufa?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $861 versus $1,045 in Ufa. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Ufa?
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 Ufa?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Ufa makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared