Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Veliky Novgorod

For one person, living is cheaper in Veliky Novgorod: $824 a month against $936 in Chiang Mai, rent and utilities included – about $1,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Chiang Mai, Thailand
Veliky Novgorod, Russia
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$936
/mo nomad
Veliky Novgorod
🇷🇺 Russia
$824
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chiang Mai and in Veliky Novgorod

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Chiang Mai and in Veliky Novgorod actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $936 per month in Chiang Mai vs $824 in Veliky Novgorod, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $936
  • Veliky Novgorod $824

A couple spends around $1,457 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,376 in Veliky Novgorod, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,457
  • Veliky Novgorod $1,376

A family of three spends $1,979 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,927 in Veliky Novgorod, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,979
  • Veliky Novgorod $1,927

Chiang Mai costs about 13% more than Veliky Novgorod, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Chiang Mai and Veliky Novgorod are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Veliky Novgorod 39% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Veliky Novgorod
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.24 ฿75.7
$8.80 ₽709
-74.55%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.00 ฿642
$42.88 ₽3,458
-55.69%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.55 ฿188
$5.46 ₽440
1.65%
Cappuccino
$1.67 ฿56.6
$2.19 ₽177
-23.74%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64 ฿21.56
$0.73 ₽58.7
-12.33%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31 ฿10.32
$0.39 ₽31.20
-20.51%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.36 ฿79.6
$1.09 ₽87.6
116.51%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66 ฿124
$1.89 ₽152
93.65%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Veliky Novgorod
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.95 ฿65.8
$1.15 ₽93.0
69.57%
White Bread (500g)
$1.44 ฿48.51
$0.71 ₽56.9
102.82%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.33 ฿45.07
$1.67 ₽135
-20.36%
Eggs
$2.28 ฿77.1
$1.36 ₽109
67.65%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.45 ฿556
$11.21 ₽904
46.74%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.78 ฿94.0
$6.33 ₽511
-56.08%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.31 ฿314
$6.37 ₽514
46.15%
Apples (1kg)
$2.35 ฿79.5
$1.59 ₽128
47.80%
Banana (1kg)
$0.97 ฿32.82
$1.66 ₽134
-41.57%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.60 ฿53.9
$1.80 ₽145
-11.11%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.50 ฿50.7
$3.21 ₽259
-53.27%
Potato (1kg)
$1.28 ฿43.15
$0.76 ₽61.6
68.42%
Onion (1kg)
$1.10 ฿37.22
$0.60 ₽48.03
83.33%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.71 ฿23.84
$1.38 ₽111
-48.55%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49 ฿16.38
$0.82 ₽65.8
-40.24%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.14 ฿140
$3.02 ₽243
37.09%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.52 ฿592
$6.15 ₽496
184.88%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.61 ฿54.5
$0.76 ₽60.9
111.84%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78 ฿94.0
$0.95 ₽77.0
192.63%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Veliky Novgorod
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.87 ฿29.33
$0.58 ₽46.62
50.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$54.1 ฿1,827
$35.28 ₽2,845
53.32%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.16 ฿39.08
$1.85 ₽149
-37.30%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.53 ฿17.82
$0.19 ₽15.63
178.95%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.42 ฿81.8
$3.66 ₽295
-33.88%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 ฿48.93
$0.89 ₽72.1
62.92%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.1K ฿711.2K
$18.9K ₽1.5M
11.21%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.9K ฿909.8K
$37.1K ₽3.0M
-27.37%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Veliky Novgorod
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$62.2 ฿2,100
$45.87 ₽3,699
35.54%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.17 ฿411
$5.62 ₽453
116.55%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.12 ฿680
$5.77 ₽465
248.70%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Veliky Novgorod
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.31 ฿1,260
$34.80 ₽2,807
7.21%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.77 ฿127
$22.96 ₽1,852
-83.58%
Cinema Ticket
$6.49 ฿219
$5.74 ₽463
13.07%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Veliky Novgorod
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$736 ฿24.9K
$665 ₽53.6K
10.68%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.8K ฿498.6K
$17.8K ₽1.4M
-17.02%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Veliky Novgorod
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.4 ฿1,802
$37.22 ₽3,002
43.39%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.64 ฿832
$30.86 ₽2,489
-20.16%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.5 ฿3,089
$105 ₽8,437
-12.55%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.9 ฿2,429
$74.2 ₽5,981
-2.99%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Veliky Novgorod
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$482 ฿16.3K
$366 ₽29.5K
31.73%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$309 ฿10.4K
$250 ₽20.1K
23.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,006 ฿34.0K
$672 ₽54.2K
49.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$633 ฿21.4K
$499 ₽40.2K
27.04%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,363 ฿79.8K
$1,809 ₽145.9K
30.67%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,589 ฿53.7K
$1,224 ₽98.7K
29.79%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Veliky Novgorod
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$590 ฿19.9K
$798 ₽64.4K
-26.12%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
19.5
-71.44%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 26, 2026

Last update for Veliky Novgorod: October 27, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
$309
Veliky Novgorod
$250 19.2% $59
Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
$234
Veliky Novgorod
$193 17.6% $41
Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
$109
Veliky Novgorod
$111 2.2% $2.4
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
$94
Veliky Novgorod
$57 39.4% $37
Eating Out
Chiang Mai
$78
Veliky Novgorod
$127 63.3% $49
Getting Around
Chiang Mai
$61
Veliky Novgorod
$40 34.1% $21
Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
$50
Veliky Novgorod
$46 8% $4

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Chiang Mai versus $366 in Veliky Novgorod. 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 35% higher in Veliky Novgorod, 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 in Chiang Mai versus $43 in Veliky Novgorod. Groceries tell a different story – $234 in Chiang Mai vs $193 in Veliky Novgorod – so Veliky Novgorod wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🇷🇺 Veliky Novgorod
🕒 Local time
04:52 4:52 AM
00:52 12:52 AM
4 h behind Chiang Mai
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
127,240
223,191
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

RUB, USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 33.77 THB (100 THB = 2.96 USD). 1 EUR = 37.59 THB (100 THB = 2.66 EUR).

Russian Ruble exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 80.65 RUB (100 RUB = 1.24 USD). 1 EUR = 89.78 RUB (100 RUB = 1.11 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Chiang Mai Veliky Novgorod 6,950 km ≈ 9 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Chiang Mai
  • Veliky Novgorod

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Veliky Novgorod: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Veliky Novgorod?
Chiang Mai costs about 13% more than Veliky Novgorod, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. 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 Veliky Novgorod?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,403 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,237 in Veliky Novgorod. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Veliky Novgorod?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Veliky Novgorod, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $366 there versus $482 in Chiang Mai.
How do childcare costs compare in Chiang Mai and in Veliky Novgorod?
Kindergarten costs $736 per month in Chiang Mai and $665 in Veliky Novgorod. 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 Veliky Novgorod?
Groceries cost about 21% more in Chiang Mai, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $1,200/month in Chiang Mai or in Veliky Novgorod?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $936 in Chiang Mai and $824 in Veliky Novgorod, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Veliky Novgorod – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Veliky Novgorod?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.

Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?