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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,036 in Vaslui, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,360 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,562 in Vaslui, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,867 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,087 in Vaslui, rent included.

Chiang Mai is about 18% cheaper than Vaslui, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chiang Mai and Vaslui are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 36% lower, Vaslui 22% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Vaslui
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.04 ฿68.4
$9.77 RON 44.64
-79.12%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.71 ฿626
$41.89 RON 191
-55.34%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.86 ฿263
$7.70 RON 35.14
2.08%
Cappuccino
$2.03 ฿67.9
$2.62 RON 11.95
-22.52%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.80 ฿26.71
$1.90 RON 8.68
-57.89%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35 ฿11.71
$1.83 RON 8.38
-80.87%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.14 ฿71.7
$2.25 RON 10.29
-4.89%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.67 ฿123
$3.49 RON 15.95
5.16%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Vaslui
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.73 ฿57.8
$1.42 RON 6.46
21.83%
White Bread (500g)
$1.57 ฿52.5
$1.08 RON 4.95
45.37%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.20 ฿40.10
$1.76 RON 8.02
-31.82%
Eggs
$1.97 ฿66.0
$3.39 RON 15.49
-41.89%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.23 ฿543
$8.92 RON 40.72
81.95%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.06 ฿102
$7.01 RON 32.01
-56.35%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.80 ฿361
$9.15 RON 41.80
18.03%
Apples (1kg)
$2.77 ฿92.6
$1.22 RON 5.58
127.05%
Banana (1kg)
$1.17 ฿39.05
$1.40 RON 6.40
-16.43%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.71 ฿57.1
$1.29 RON 5.89
32.56%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.59 ฿53.3
$1.90 RON 8.68
-16.32%
Potato (1kg)
$1.39 ฿46.63
$0.76 RON 3.47
82.89%
Onion (1kg)
$1.16 ฿38.67
$0.93 RON 4.25
24.73%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.66 ฿22.11
$0.74 RON 3.40
-10.81%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52 ฿17.35
$0.85 RON 3.89
-38.82%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.65 ฿155
$5.66 RON 25.86
-17.84%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.78 ฿595
$6.75 RON 30.80
163.41%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.79 ฿59.8
$0.93 RON 4.24
92.47%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.34 ฿112
$1.38 RON 6.31
142.03%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Vaslui
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.91 ฿30.35
$0.66 RON 2.99
37.88%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$18.64 ฿624
$19.96 RON 91.2
-6.61%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.41 ฿47.17
$0.66 RON 3.03
113.64%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.34 ฿44.82
$0.60 RON 2.76
123.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.11 ฿271
$5.91 RON 27.01
37.23%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.23 ฿41.27
$1.53 RON 6.99
-19.61%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.4K ฿717.0K
$25.4K RON 116.1K
-15.69%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.8K ฿730.0K
$26.7K RON 122.1K
-18.38%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Vaslui
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$71.3 ฿2,386
$147 RON 670
-51.40%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.01 ฿469
$8.19 RON 37.40
71.06%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.93 ฿600
$9.76 RON 44.57
83.71%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Vaslui
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$40.82 ฿1,365
$41.97 RON 192
-2.74%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.88 ฿230
$18.96 RON 86.6
-63.71%
Cinema Ticket
$5.72 ฿191
$6.81 RON 31.10
-16.01%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Vaslui
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$308 ฿10.3K
$429 RON 1,960
-28.18%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.7K ฿491.0K
$7,059 RON 32.2K
107.96%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Vaslui
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.8 ฿1,865
$81.5 RON 372
-31.58%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.04 ฿871
$15.77 RON 72.0
65.12%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$84.8 ฿2,837
$74.1 RON 338
14.47%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.0 ฿2,375
$98.1 RON 448
-27.61%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Vaslui
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$423 ฿14.2K
$389 RON 1,775
8.89%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$242 ฿8,110
$294 RON 1,343
-17.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$797 ฿26.7K
$598 RON 2,731
33.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$507 ฿17.0K
$440 RON 2,010
15.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,918 ฿64.2K
$1,734 RON 7,919
10.61%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,464 ฿49.0K
$1,275 RON 5,823
14.81%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Vaslui
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$595 ฿19.9K
$470 RON 2,148
26.52%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5
6.5
-23.08%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: July 27, 2026

Last update for Vaslui: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $423 in Chiang Mai versus $389 in Vaslui. 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 27% 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 $42.00 in Vaslui. Groceries tell a different story – $244 in Chiang Mai vs $202 in Vaslui – so Vaslui 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 Vaslui: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Vaslui?
Vaslui costs about 22% 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 Vaslui?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,279 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,554 in Vaslui. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Vaslui?
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 Vaslui?
Kindergarten costs $308 per month in Chiang Mai and $429 in Vaslui. 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 Vaslui?
Interestingly, groceries are about 21% cheaper in Vaslui – 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 Vaslui?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Vaslui at $1,036. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Vaslui it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Vaslui?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $1,036 in Vaslui. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Vaslui?
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 Vaslui?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Vaslui makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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