🙂A single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $968 in Zonguldak, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,360 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,531 in Zonguldak, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,867 per month in Chiang Mai vs $2,095 in Zonguldak, rent included.
🙂Chiang Mai is about 12% cheaper than Zonguldak, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Chiang Mai and Zonguldak are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai36% lower, Zonguldak27% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Zonguldak
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.04฿68.4
$3.77₺179
-45.89%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.71฿626
$38.29₺1,813
-51.14%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.86฿263
$7.49₺355
4.94%
Cappuccino
$2.03฿67.9
$3.09₺146
-34.30%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.80฿26.71
$0.77₺36.52
3.90%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35฿11.71
$0.24₺11.29
45.83%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.14฿71.7
$1.96₺92.8
9.18%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.67฿123
$2.08₺98.5
76.44%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Zonguldak
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.73฿57.8
$0.55₺25.95
214.55%
White Bread(500g)
$1.57฿52.5
$0.40₺18.72
292.50%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.20฿40.10
$2.43₺115
-50.62%
Eggs
$1.97฿66.0
$2.33₺110
-15.45%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.23฿543
$9.32₺442
74.14%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.06฿102
$5.94₺281
-48.48%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.80฿361
$19.43₺920
-44.42%
Apples(1kg)
$2.77฿92.6
$1.50₺71.2
84.67%
Banana(1kg)
$1.17฿39.05
$2.37₺112
-50.63%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.71฿57.1
$1.31₺62.2
30.53%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.59฿53.3
$1.51₺71.6
5.30%
Potato(1kg)
$1.39฿46.63
$0.73₺34.42
90.41%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16฿38.67
$0.61₺28.90
90.16%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.66฿22.11
$1.09₺51.6
-39.45%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52฿17.35
$0.42₺20.01
23.81%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.65฿155
$1.98₺93.6
134.85%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.78฿595
$11.83₺560
50.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.79฿59.8
$2.02₺95.8
-11.39%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.34฿112
$2.07₺97.8
61.35%
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Zonguldak
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.91฿30.35
$0.62₺29.47
46.77%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.64฿624
$30.50₺1,444
-38.89%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41฿47.17
$0.90₺42.73
56.67%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.34฿44.82
$0.61₺28.99
119.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.11฿271
$6.27₺297
29.35%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.23฿41.27
$1.09₺51.5
12.84%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.4K฿717.0K
$43.0K₺2.0M
-50.11%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.8K฿730.0K
$44.1K₺2.1M
-50.56%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Zonguldak
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$71.3฿2,386
$27.67₺1,311
157.79%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.01฿469
$8.68₺411
61.41%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.93฿600
$10.10₺478
77.52%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Zonguldak
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$40.82฿1,365
$43.21₺2,047
-5.53%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.88฿230
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.72฿191
$3.33₺158
71.77%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Zonguldak
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$308฿10.3K
$611₺28.9K
-49.56%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.7K฿491.0K
$13.7K₺646.9K
7.48%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Zonguldak
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.8฿1,865
$17.93₺849
211.04%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.04฿871
$44.21₺2,094
-41.10%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.8฿2,837
$45.38₺2,149
86.89%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.0฿2,375
$96.7₺4,578
-26.56%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Zonguldak
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$423฿14.2K
$511₺24.2K
-17.24%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$242฿8,110
$394₺18.6K
-38.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$797฿26.7K
$884₺41.9K
-9.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$507฿17.0K
$709₺33.6K
-28.57%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,918฿64.2K
$1,217₺57.6K
57.60%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,464฿49.0K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Zonguldak
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$595฿19.9K
$884₺41.9K
-32.71%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
48.4
-89.67%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: July 27, 2026
Last update for Zonguldak: July 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $423 in Chiang Mai versus $511 in Zonguldak. 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 49% higher in Zonguldak, 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 $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $38.00 in Zonguldak. Groceries tell a different story – $244 in Chiang Mai vs $230 in Zonguldak – so Zonguldak 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 Zonguldak: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Zonguldak?
Zonguldak costs about 13% 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 Zonguldak?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,279 per month in Chiang Mai and $1,451 in Zonguldak. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Zonguldak?
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 Zonguldak?
Kindergarten costs $308 per month in Chiang Mai and $611 in Zonguldak. 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 Zonguldak?
Interestingly, groceries are about 6% cheaper in Zonguldak – 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 Zonguldak?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Zonguldak at $968. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Zonguldak it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Zonguldak?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $968 in Zonguldak. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Zonguldak?
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 Zonguldak?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Zonguldak makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared