ðA single person spends $1,333 per month in Jonava vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $2,091 per month in Jonava vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $2,848 per month in Jonava vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðJonava costs about 56% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðJonava sits 0% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 36% below â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Jonava
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.49âŽ8.96
$1.96āļŋ63.6
435.20%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.6âŽ58.6
$18.81āļŋ611
264.75%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.97âŽ5.95
$7.92āļŋ258
-11.99%
Cappuccino
$3.04âŽ2.60
$1.91āļŋ62.2
59.16%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.18âŽ1.01
$0.84āļŋ27.25
40.48%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.02âŽ1.72
$0.35āļŋ11.44
477.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.63âŽ4.81
$2.21āļŋ71.7
154.75%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.57âŽ4.75
$3.80āļŋ124
46.58%
ð Groceries & Markets
Jonava
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.36âŽ1.16
$1.64āļŋ53.2
-17.07%
White Bread(500g)
$1.82âŽ1.56
$1.62āļŋ52.8
12.35%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.01âŽ1.72
$1.18āļŋ38.40
70.34%
Eggs
$2.92âŽ2.50
$2.01āļŋ65.4
45.27%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.64âŽ9.08
$15.89āļŋ517
-33.04%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.35âŽ4.57
$3.01āļŋ98.0
77.74%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.01âŽ8.55
$10.77āļŋ350
-7.06%
Apples(1kg)
$1.37âŽ1.17
$2.61āļŋ85.0
-47.51%
Banana(1kg)
$1.68âŽ1.44
$1.22āļŋ39.65
37.70%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.76âŽ1.51
$1.70āļŋ55.4
3.53%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.20âŽ2.73
$1.58āļŋ51.2
102.53%
Potato(1kg)
$0.81âŽ0.69
$1.32āļŋ42.89
-38.64%
Onion(1kg)
$0.92âŽ0.79
$1.17āļŋ38.01
-21.37%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.56âŽ1.33
$0.67āļŋ21.85
132.84%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85âŽ0.73
$0.56āļŋ18.21
51.79%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.59âŽ4.77
$4.53āļŋ147
23.40%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.62âŽ7.36
$18.20āļŋ592
-52.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.75âŽ1.49
$1.83āļŋ59.6
-4.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.73âŽ1.48
$3.23āļŋ105
-46.44%
ð Getting Around
Jonava
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.18âŽ1.01
$0.89āļŋ28.83
32.58%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$33.40âŽ28.52
$19.38āļŋ630
72.34%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.61âŽ3.94
$1.35āļŋ43.95
241.48%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.17âŽ1.00
$1.35āļŋ43.79
-13.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.54âŽ11.57
$8.25āļŋ268
64.12%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.60âŽ1.36
$1.27āļŋ41.40
25.98%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.0KâŽ33.3K
$21.2Kāļŋ687.8K
84.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.1KâŽ24.8K
$22.5Kāļŋ731.0K
29.26%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Jonava
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$209âŽ179
$70.2āļŋ2,281
198.03%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.97âŽ11.93
$13.77āļŋ448
1.45%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.51âŽ9.83
$17.60āļŋ572
-34.60%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Jonava
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.13âŽ35.98
$41.57āļŋ1,352
1.35%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.95âŽ19.60
$6.60āļŋ215
247.73%
Cinema Ticket
$9.06âŽ7.74
$5.78āļŋ188
56.75%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Jonava
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$460âŽ393
$306āļŋ9,953
50.24%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.5KâŽ8,995
$14.8Kāļŋ482.0K
-28.95%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Jonava
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$141âŽ120
$54.4āļŋ1,768
159.43%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.11âŽ36.82
$26.14āļŋ850
64.92%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$82.6âŽ70.6
$84.5āļŋ2,748
-2.25%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$187âŽ160
$69.4āļŋ2,257
169.13%
ð Accommodation & Living
Jonava
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$525âŽ449
$424āļŋ13.8K
23.97%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$356âŽ304
$238āļŋ7,743
49.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$824âŽ704
$825āļŋ26.8K
-0.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$649âŽ554
$515āļŋ16.7K
25.89%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,673âŽ2,282
$2,049āļŋ66.6K
30.41%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,566âŽ1,337
$1,523āļŋ49.5K
2.84%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Jonava
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,327âŽ1,134
$635āļŋ20.6K
108.98%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.13
5
-17.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Jonava: April 26, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $525 in Jonava 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 109% higher in Jonava, 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 $69.0 in Jonava versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story â $230 in Jonava vs $243 in Chiang Mai â so Jonava 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
Jonava vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Jonava or Chiang Mai?
Jonava costs about 56% 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 Jonava vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,000 per month in Jonava 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, Jonava 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 Jonava and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $460 per month in Jonava 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 Jonava or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 6% cheaper in Jonava â 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 Jonava or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Jonava at $1,333. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Jonava it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Jonava or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $1,333 in Jonava. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Jonava 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 Jonava or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Jonava makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.