ðA single person spends $1,071 per month in Haapsalu vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,676 per month in Haapsalu vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $2,282 per month in Haapsalu vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðHaapsalu costs about 26% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðBoth Haapsalu and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median â Haapsalu20% lower, Chiang Mai36% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Haapsalu
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.12âŽ14.62
$1.96āļŋ63.6
773.47%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$70.8âŽ60.5
$18.81āļŋ611
276.45%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.87âŽ8.43
$7.92āļŋ258
24.62%
Cappuccino
$3.65âŽ3.11
$1.91āļŋ62.2
91.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.47âŽ2.11
$0.84āļŋ27.25
194.05%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.74âŽ2.34
$0.35āļŋ11.44
682.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.36âŽ4.58
$2.21āļŋ71.7
142.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.65âŽ4.83
$3.80āļŋ124
48.68%
ð Groceries & Markets
Haapsalu
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.30âŽ1.11
$1.64āļŋ53.2
-20.73%
White Bread(500g)
$1.49âŽ1.28
$1.62āļŋ52.8
-8.02%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.29âŽ1.96
$1.18āļŋ38.40
94.07%
Eggs
$2.84âŽ2.43
$2.01āļŋ65.4
41.29%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.51âŽ10.68
$15.89āļŋ517
-21.27%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.56âŽ7.31
$3.01āļŋ98.0
184.39%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.30âŽ9.65
$10.77āļŋ350
4.92%
Apples(1kg)
$1.92âŽ1.64
$2.61āļŋ85.0
-26.44%
Banana(1kg)
$1.57âŽ1.34
$1.22āļŋ39.65
28.69%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.95âŽ1.66
$1.70āļŋ55.4
14.71%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.35âŽ2.01
$1.58āļŋ51.2
48.73%
Potato(1kg)
$1.01âŽ0.86
$1.32āļŋ42.89
-23.48%
Onion(1kg)
$0.62âŽ0.53
$1.17āļŋ38.01
-47.01%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.79âŽ1.53
$0.67āļŋ21.85
167.16%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.06âŽ0.90
$0.56āļŋ18.21
89.29%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.44âŽ5.50
$4.53āļŋ147
42.16%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.79âŽ9.21
$18.20āļŋ592
-40.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.95âŽ1.67
$1.83āļŋ59.6
6.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.10âŽ1.79
$3.23āļŋ105
-34.98%
ð Getting Around
Haapsalu
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.89āļŋ28.83
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$19.38āļŋ630
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.35âŽ2.86
$1.35āļŋ43.95
148.15%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.73âŽ0.62
$1.35āļŋ43.79
-45.93%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$20.09âŽ17.16
$8.25āļŋ268
143.52%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.88âŽ1.60
$1.27āļŋ41.40
48.03%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.9KâŽ19.6K
$21.2Kāļŋ687.8K
8.41%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.7KâŽ19.4K
$22.5Kāļŋ731.0K
1.06%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Haapsalu
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$274âŽ234
$70.2āļŋ2,281
290.29%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.43âŽ19.15
$13.77āļŋ448
62.89%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.34âŽ31.03
$17.60āļŋ572
106.48%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Haapsalu
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$41.57āļŋ1,352
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$31.85âŽ27.20
$6.60āļŋ215
382.58%
Cinema Ticket
$11.72âŽ10.01
$5.78āļŋ188
102.77%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Haapsalu
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$117âŽ100
$306āļŋ9,953
-61.73%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,047âŽ6,872
$14.8Kāļŋ482.0K
-45.72%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Haapsalu
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$120âŽ103
$54.4āļŋ1,768
121.26%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.80âŽ33.13
$26.14āļŋ850
48.43%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$97.6âŽ83.4
$84.5āļŋ2,748
15.46%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$96.3âŽ82.3
$69.4āļŋ2,257
38.74%
ð Accommodation & Living
Haapsalu
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$424āļŋ13.8K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$238āļŋ7,743
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$825āļŋ26.8K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$515āļŋ16.7K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,876âŽ1,602
$2,049āļŋ66.6K
-8.47%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,534âŽ1,310
$1,523āļŋ49.5K
0.75%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Haapsalu
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,485âŽ1,268
$635āļŋ20.6K
133.83%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
2
5
-60.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Haapsalu: April 27, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð°Salaries run about 134% higher in Haapsalu, 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 $71.0 in Haapsalu versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $261 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
Haapsalu vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Haapsalu or Chiang Mai?
Haapsalu costs about 26% 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 Haapsalu vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,607 per month in Haapsalu and $1,278 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
How do dining costs compare in Haapsalu vs Chiang Mai?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $71.0 in Haapsalu and $19.00 in Chiang Mai. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and cafÃĐ pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Haapsalu or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 7% more in Haapsalu, 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 $800/month in Haapsalu or Chiang Mai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $1,071 in Haapsalu and $852 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Haapsalu or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $1,071 in Haapsalu. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Haapsalu 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 Haapsalu or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Haapsalu makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.