ðA single person spends $679 per month in Criciuma vs $872 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,003 per month in Criciuma vs $1,337 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $1,328 per month in Criciuma vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðCriciuma is about 22% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
ðBoth Criciuma and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median â Criciuma50% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Criciuma
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.84R$24.10
$2.01āļŋ64.5
140.80%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$21.99R$110
$18.23āļŋ584
20.63%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.28R$26.28
$7.65āļŋ245
-30.98%
Cappuccino
$1.25R$6.22
$1.92āļŋ61.5
-34.90%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.85R$4.25
$0.84āļŋ26.97
1.19%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.57R$2.85
$0.36āļŋ11.42
58.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.64R$8.17
$2.19āļŋ70.2
-25.11%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51R$7.52
$3.79āļŋ121
-60.16%
ð Groceries & Markets
Criciuma
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.86R$4.29
$1.64āļŋ52.5
-47.56%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29R$6.41
$1.62āļŋ52.0
-20.37%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.98R$4.86
$1.15āļŋ36.98
-14.78%
Eggs
$1.77R$8.82
$1.94āļŋ62.2
-8.76%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.97R$39.71
$15.94āļŋ511
-50.00%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.21R$15.96
$3.10āļŋ99.5
3.55%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.84R$34.06
$11.07āļŋ355
-38.21%
Apples(1kg)
$1.86R$9.26
$2.71āļŋ86.8
-31.37%
Banana(1kg)
$0.90R$4.46
$1.18āļŋ37.80
-23.73%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.85R$4.21
$1.71āļŋ54.7
-50.29%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.25R$6.25
$1.61āļŋ51.5
-22.36%
Potato(1kg)
$0.98R$4.89
$1.39āļŋ44.66
-29.50%
Onion(1kg)
$1.02R$5.08
$1.15āļŋ36.81
-11.30%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.70R$3.48
$0.71āļŋ22.83
-1.41%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63R$3.12
$0.55āļŋ17.65
14.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.54R$12.67
$4.57āļŋ146
-44.42%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.91R$24.45
$18.87āļŋ605
-73.98%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.03R$5.13
$1.82āļŋ58.4
-43.41%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.25R$6.24
$3.21āļŋ103
-61.06%
ð Getting Around
Criciuma
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.87R$4.34
$0.88āļŋ28.24
-1.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$32.00R$159
$18.89āļŋ606
69.40%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.42R$2.08
$1.41āļŋ45.30
-70.21%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.02R$5.06
$1.30āļŋ41.71
-21.54%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.13R$10.60
$8.20āļŋ263
-74.02%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.09R$5.43
$1.23āļŋ39.29
-11.38%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.9KR$99.1K
$21.2Kāļŋ678.9K
-6.07%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.6KR$127.3K
$22.3Kāļŋ715.3K
14.56%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Criciuma
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$58.4R$291
$69.9āļŋ2,240
-16.39%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.10R$70.2
$14.07āļŋ451
0.21%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.81R$104
$17.70āļŋ567
17.57%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Criciuma
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$24.92R$124
$41.41āļŋ1,328
-39.82%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.63R$108
$6.69āļŋ215
223.32%
Cinema Ticket
$7.84R$39.05
$5.74āļŋ184
36.59%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Criciuma
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$126R$628
$299āļŋ9,593
-57.87%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,500R$7,469
$15.0Kāļŋ481.2K
-90.01%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Criciuma
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$24.63R$123
$54.8āļŋ1,758
-55.07%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.13R$150
$26.35āļŋ845
14.35%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$68.0R$339
$84.7āļŋ2,714
-19.66%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$31.62R$157
$69.7āļŋ2,236
-54.66%
ð Accommodation & Living
Criciuma
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$221R$1,101
$427āļŋ13.7K
-48.24%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$198R$985
$241āļŋ7,718
-17.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$296R$1,475
$811āļŋ26.0K
-63.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$247R$1,228
$498āļŋ16.0K
-50.51%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,189R$5,921
$2,022āļŋ64.8K
-41.21%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$641R$3,195
$1,524āļŋ48.9K
-57.90%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Criciuma
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$320R$1,595
$639āļŋ20.5K
-49.87%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.4
5
68.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Criciuma: April 14, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $221 in Criciuma versus $427 in Chiang Mai. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
ð°Salaries run about 100% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $22 in Criciuma versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story â $150 in Criciuma vs $246 in Chiang Mai â so Criciuma 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
Criciuma vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Criciuma or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 29% more than Criciuma, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 Criciuma vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,018 per month in Criciuma and $1,308 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Criciuma or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Criciuma, 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 Criciuma and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $126 per month in Criciuma and $299 in Chiang Mai. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Criciuma or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 64% more in Chiang Mai, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Criciuma or Chiang Mai?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $679 in Criciuma and $872 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Criciuma or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Criciuma costs $679 versus $872 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Criciuma compared to Chiang Mai?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison â central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Criciuma or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Criciuma. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chiang Mai makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.