ðA single person spends $1,896 per month in Hyvinkaa vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $2,806 per month in Hyvinkaa vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $3,716 per month in Hyvinkaa vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðHyvinkaa costs about 122% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðHyvinkaa sits 42% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 36% below â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Hyvinkaa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.79âŽ12.63
$1.96āļŋ63.6
654.59%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$91.9âŽ78.5
$18.81āļŋ611
388.62%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.35âŽ9.69
$7.92āļŋ258
43.31%
Cappuccino
$4.24âŽ3.62
$1.91āļŋ62.2
121.99%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50âŽ2.14
$0.84āļŋ27.25
197.62%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.68âŽ1.43
$0.35āļŋ11.44
380.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$8.34âŽ7.12
$2.21āļŋ71.7
277.38%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$9.44âŽ8.06
$3.80āļŋ124
148.42%
ð Groceries & Markets
Hyvinkaa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.14âŽ0.97
$1.64āļŋ53.2
-30.49%
White Bread(500g)
$2.30âŽ1.96
$1.62āļŋ52.8
41.98%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.25âŽ1.92
$1.18āļŋ38.40
90.68%
Eggs
$2.82âŽ2.40
$2.01āļŋ65.4
40.30%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.76âŽ5.78
$15.89āļŋ517
-57.46%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$13.74âŽ11.74
$3.01āļŋ98.0
356.48%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$20.78âŽ17.74
$10.77āļŋ350
92.94%
Apples(1kg)
$2.06âŽ1.76
$2.61āļŋ85.0
-21.07%
Banana(1kg)
$1.90âŽ1.62
$1.22āļŋ39.65
55.74%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.38âŽ2.03
$1.70āļŋ55.4
40.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.72âŽ4.03
$1.58āļŋ51.2
198.73%
Potato(1kg)
$1.41âŽ1.20
$1.32āļŋ42.89
6.82%
Onion(1kg)
$1.89âŽ1.62
$1.17āļŋ38.01
61.54%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.72âŽ1.46
$0.67āļŋ21.85
156.72%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.46âŽ1.24
$0.56āļŋ18.21
160.71%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$11.72âŽ10.01
$4.53āļŋ147
158.72%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.85âŽ10.12
$18.20āļŋ592
-34.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.03âŽ2.59
$1.83āļŋ59.6
65.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.56âŽ3.04
$3.23āļŋ105
10.22%
ð Getting Around
Hyvinkaa
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.38âŽ2.88
$0.89āļŋ28.83
279.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$67.7âŽ57.9
$19.38āļŋ630
249.54%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$8.13âŽ6.94
$1.35āļŋ43.95
502.22%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.55âŽ1.32
$1.35āļŋ43.79
14.81%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$63.0âŽ53.8
$8.25āļŋ268
663.39%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.11âŽ1.80
$1.27āļŋ41.40
66.14%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.1KâŽ19.7K
$21.2Kāļŋ687.8K
9.02%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$40.3KâŽ34.4K
$22.5Kāļŋ731.0K
79.40%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hyvinkaa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$117âŽ100
$70.2āļŋ2,281
67.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$31.57âŽ26.96
$13.77āļŋ448
129.27%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.48âŽ16.64
$17.60āļŋ572
10.68%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Hyvinkaa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.26âŽ37.80
$41.57āļŋ1,352
6.47%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.90âŽ20.41
$6.60āļŋ215
262.12%
Cinema Ticket
$16.32âŽ13.94
$5.78āļŋ188
182.35%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Hyvinkaa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$340âŽ290
$306āļŋ9,953
10.93%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.3KâŽ9,661
$14.8Kāļŋ482.0K
-23.69%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Hyvinkaa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$107âŽ91.1
$54.4āļŋ1,768
96.14%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.72âŽ21.97
$26.14āļŋ850
-1.61%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$85.8âŽ73.3
$84.5āļŋ2,748
1.48%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$103âŽ87.9
$69.4āļŋ2,257
48.31%
ð Accommodation & Living
Hyvinkaa
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$772âŽ659
$424āļŋ13.8K
82.11%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$806âŽ688
$238āļŋ7,743
238.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,318âŽ1,126
$825āļŋ26.8K
59.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,031âŽ880
$515āļŋ16.7K
100.04%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,453âŽ2,095
$2,049āļŋ66.6K
19.71%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,627âŽ1,389
$1,523āļŋ49.5K
6.83%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Hyvinkaa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,734âŽ2,335
$635āļŋ20.6K
330.40%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.93
5
-21.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Hyvinkaa: April 25, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $772 in Hyvinkaa 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 330% higher in Hyvinkaa, 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 $92.0 in Hyvinkaa versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $339 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
Hyvinkaa vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Hyvinkaa or Chiang Mai?
Hyvinkaa costs about 122% 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 Hyvinkaa vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,844 per month in Hyvinkaa 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, Hyvinkaa 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 Hyvinkaa and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $340 per month in Hyvinkaa 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 Hyvinkaa or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 39% more in Hyvinkaa, 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 Hyvinkaa or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Hyvinkaa at $1,896. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Hyvinkaa it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Hyvinkaa or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $1,896 in Hyvinkaa. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Hyvinkaa 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 Hyvinkaa or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Hyvinkaa makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.