Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Volzhsky

For one person, living is cheaper in Chiang Mai: $936 a month against $1,035 in Volzhsky, rent and utilities included – about $1,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Chiang Mai, Thailand
Volzhsky, Russia
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$936
/mo nomad
Volzhsky
🇷🇺 Russia
$1,035
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chiang Mai and in Volzhsky

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 Volzhsky actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $936 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,035 in Volzhsky, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $936
  • Volzhsky $1,035

A couple spends around $1,457 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,543 in Volzhsky, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,457
  • Volzhsky $1,543

A family of three spends $1,979 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,052 in Volzhsky, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,979
  • Volzhsky $2,052

Chiang Mai is about 10% cheaper than Volzhsky, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Chiang Mai and Volzhsky are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Volzhsky 24% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Volzhsky
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.24 ฿75.7
$16.07 ₽1,296
-86.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.00 ฿642
$49.33 ₽3,979
-61.48%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.55 ฿188
$3.66 ₽295
51.64%
Cappuccino
$1.67 ฿56.6
$1.21 ₽97.8
38.02%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64 ฿21.56
$1.13 ₽91.5
-43.36%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31 ฿10.32
$0.52 ₽42.02
-40.38%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.36 ฿79.6
$1.84 ₽148
28.26%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66 ฿124
$1.48 ₽119
147.30%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Volzhsky
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.95 ฿65.8
$1.15 ₽92.4
69.57%
White Bread (500g)
$1.44 ฿48.51
$0.59 ₽47.21
144.07%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.33 ฿45.07
$0.83 ₽67.1
60.24%
Eggs
$2.28 ฿77.1
$1.44 ₽116
58.33%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.45 ฿556
$7.63 ₽615
115.60%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.78 ฿94.0
$3.62 ₽292
-23.20%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.31 ฿314
$3.60 ₽291
158.61%
Apples (1kg)
$2.35 ฿79.5
$2.28 ₽184
3.07%
Banana (1kg)
$0.97 ฿32.82
$2.55 ₽206
-61.96%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.60 ฿53.9
$2.03 ₽164
-21.18%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.50 ฿50.7
$2.41 ₽195
-37.76%
Potato (1kg)
$1.28 ฿43.15
$0.77 ₽62.2
66.23%
Onion (1kg)
$1.10 ฿37.22
$0.51 ₽41.20
115.69%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.71 ฿23.84
$0.35 ₽28.51
102.86%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49 ฿16.38
$0.62 ₽50.2
-20.97%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.14 ฿140
$2.96 ₽239
39.86%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.52 ฿592
$13.60 ₽1,097
28.82%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.61 ฿54.5
$1.89 ₽152
-14.81%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78 ฿94.0
$2.27 ₽183
22.47%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Volzhsky
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.87 ฿29.33
$0.59 ₽47.56
47.46%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$54.1 ฿1,827
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.16 ฿39.08
$3.78 ₽305
-69.31%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.53 ฿17.82
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.42 ฿81.8
$3.73 ₽301
-35.12%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 ฿48.93
$0.82 ₽66.0
76.83%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.1K ฿711.2K
$53.1K ₽4.3M
-60.36%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.9K ฿909.8K
$19.5K ₽1.6M
38.30%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Volzhsky
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$62.2 ฿2,100
$179 ₽14.4K
-65.23%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.17 ฿411
$8.50 ₽685
43.18%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.12 ฿680
$8.18 ₽659
145.97%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Volzhsky
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.31 ฿1,260
$24.93 ₽2,011
49.66%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.77 ฿127
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.49 ฿219
$6.36 ₽513
2.04%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Volzhsky
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$736 ฿24.9K
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.8K ฿498.6K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Volzhsky
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.4 ฿1,802
$112 ₽9,041
-52.39%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.64 ฿832
$75.2 ₽6,063
-67.22%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91.5 ฿3,089
$54.6 ₽4,403
67.55%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.9 ฿2,429
$188 ₽15.2K
-61.83%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Volzhsky
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$482 ฿16.3K
$314 ₽25.3K
53.56%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$309 ฿10.4K
$250 ₽20.2K
23.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,006 ฿34.0K
$425 ₽34.3K
136.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$633 ฿21.4K
$318 ₽25.7K
99.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,363 ฿79.8K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,589 ฿53.7K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Volzhsky
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$590 ฿19.9K
$364 ₽29.4K
61.81%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
21.33
-73.89%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 26, 2026

Last update for Volzhsky: October 24, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
$309
Volzhsky
$250 19% $59
Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
$234
Volzhsky
$178 23.8% $56
Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
$109
Volzhsky
$194 78.3% $85
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
$94
Volzhsky
$195 107% $101
Eating Out
Chiang Mai
$78
Volzhsky
$173 123% $95
Getting Around
Chiang Mai
$61
Volzhsky
$6.1 * 90% $55
Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
$50
Volzhsky
$38 25.1% $13

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $482 in Chiang Mai versus $314 in Volzhsky. 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 62% 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 in Chiang Mai versus $49 in Volzhsky. Groceries tell a different story – $234 in Chiang Mai vs $178 in Volzhsky – so Volzhsky wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🇷🇺 Volzhsky
🕒 Local time
07:15 7:15 AM
03:15 3:15 AM
4 h behind Chiang Mai
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
127,240
321,427
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

RUB, USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of October 29, 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 29, 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 Volzhsky 5,850 km ≈ 8 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Chiang Mai
  • Volzhsky

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 Volzhsky: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Volzhsky?
Volzhsky costs about 11% more than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from 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 Volzhsky?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,403 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,552 in Volzhsky. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Volzhsky?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Volzhsky, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $314 there versus $482 in Chiang Mai.
How much does it cost to live in Chiang Mai compared to Volzhsky?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $936 in Chiang Mai and $1,035 in Volzhsky. That makes Chiang Mai about 10% cheaper.
Are groceries more expensive in Chiang Mai or in Volzhsky?
Interestingly, groceries are about 24% cheaper in Volzhsky – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value.
Can you live on $800/month in Chiang Mai or in Volzhsky?
$800 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $936 in Chiang Mai and $1,035 in Volzhsky. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Chiang Mai or Volzhsky?
It depends on your priorities. Chiang Mai has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $936 in Chiang Mai to $1,035 in Volzhsky. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Volzhsky?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.

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