ðA single person spends $2,018 per month in Geraardsbergen vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $3,011 per month in Geraardsbergen vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $4,004 per month in Geraardsbergen vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðGeraardsbergen costs about 137% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðGeraardsbergen sits 51% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 36% below â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Geraardsbergen
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$23.09âŽ19.72
$1.96āļŋ63.6
1078.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75.2âŽ64.2
$18.81āļŋ611
299.73%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.79âŽ7.51
$7.92āļŋ258
10.98%
Cappuccino
$4.20âŽ3.59
$1.91āļŋ62.2
119.90%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33âŽ1.99
$0.84āļŋ27.25
177.38%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33âŽ1.99
$0.35āļŋ11.44
565.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.22âŽ2.75
$2.21āļŋ71.7
45.70%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.55âŽ3.03
$3.80āļŋ124
-6.58%
ð Groceries & Markets
Geraardsbergen
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.37âŽ1.17
$1.64āļŋ53.2
-16.46%
White Bread(500g)
$2.76âŽ2.35
$1.62āļŋ52.8
70.37%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.67âŽ2.28
$1.18āļŋ38.40
126.27%
Eggs
$4.15âŽ3.54
$2.01āļŋ65.4
106.47%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.10âŽ15.46
$15.89āļŋ517
13.91%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$12.02âŽ10.26
$3.01āļŋ98.0
299.34%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$22.00âŽ18.79
$10.77āļŋ350
104.27%
Apples(1kg)
$2.92âŽ2.50
$2.61āļŋ85.0
11.88%
Banana(1kg)
$2.34âŽ2.00
$1.22āļŋ39.65
91.80%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.25âŽ1.92
$1.70āļŋ55.4
32.35%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.41âŽ2.91
$1.58āļŋ51.2
115.82%
Potato(1kg)
$2.97âŽ2.54
$1.32āļŋ42.89
125.00%
Onion(1kg)
$2.37âŽ2.02
$1.17āļŋ38.01
102.56%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.41âŽ1.20
$0.67āļŋ21.85
110.45%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.87âŽ0.74
$0.56āļŋ18.21
55.36%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$12.62âŽ10.78
$4.53āļŋ147
178.59%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.49âŽ8.10
$18.20āļŋ592
-47.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76âŽ1.51
$1.83āļŋ59.6
-3.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.00âŽ1.71
$3.23āļŋ105
-38.08%
ð Getting Around
Geraardsbergen
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.97âŽ2.54
$0.89āļŋ28.83
233.71%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$56.4âŽ48.20
$19.38āļŋ630
191.23%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.84âŽ4.99
$1.35āļŋ43.95
332.59%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.48âŽ2.12
$1.35āļŋ43.79
83.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$45.52âŽ38.87
$8.25āļŋ268
451.76%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.94âŽ1.65
$1.27āļŋ41.40
52.76%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.8KâŽ30.6K
$21.2Kāļŋ687.8K
69.44%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.5KâŽ26.9K
$22.5Kāļŋ731.0K
40.12%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Geraardsbergen
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$141âŽ121
$70.2āļŋ2,281
101.23%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.58âŽ16.72
$13.77āļŋ448
42.19%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$40.73âŽ34.78
$17.60āļŋ572
131.42%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Geraardsbergen
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$38.53âŽ32.90
$41.57āļŋ1,352
-7.31%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.17âŽ14.66
$6.60āļŋ215
160.15%
Cinema Ticket
$15.33âŽ13.09
$5.78āļŋ188
165.22%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Geraardsbergen
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$653âŽ558
$306āļŋ9,953
113.38%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.7KâŽ11.7K
$14.8Kāļŋ482.0K
-7.67%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Geraardsbergen
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$110âŽ93.6
$54.4āļŋ1,768
101.51%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$49.21âŽ42.03
$26.14āļŋ850
88.26%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$114âŽ97.6
$84.5āļŋ2,748
35.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$236âŽ202
$69.4āļŋ2,257
240.27%
ð Accommodation & Living
Geraardsbergen
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$885âŽ756
$424āļŋ13.8K
108.82%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$757âŽ647
$238āļŋ7,743
217.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,328âŽ1,134
$825āļŋ26.8K
60.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,113âŽ950
$515āļŋ16.7K
115.99%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,811âŽ3,254
$2,049āļŋ66.6K
85.95%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,708âŽ2,313
$1,523āļŋ49.5K
77.86%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Geraardsbergen
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,629âŽ2,246
$635āļŋ20.6K
313.96%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.27
5
-34.60%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Geraardsbergen: April 27, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $885 in Geraardsbergen versus $424 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 314% higher in Geraardsbergen, 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 $75.0 in Geraardsbergen versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $365 vs $243 â making Chiang Mai the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Geraardsbergen vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Geraardsbergen or Chiang Mai?
Geraardsbergen costs about 137% 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 Geraardsbergen vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,027 per month in Geraardsbergen and $1,278 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Geraardsbergen or Chiang Mai?
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 Geraardsbergen and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $653 per month in Geraardsbergen and $306 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 Geraardsbergen or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 50% more in Geraardsbergen, 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 Geraardsbergen or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Geraardsbergen at $2,018. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Geraardsbergen it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Geraardsbergen or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $2,018 in Geraardsbergen. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Geraardsbergen 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 Geraardsbergen or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Geraardsbergen makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Geraardsbergen vs other spots: cost of living compared