๐A single person spends $1,129 per month in Kastamonu vs $845 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $1,781 per month in Kastamonu vs $1,323 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $2,433 per month in Kastamonu vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐Kastamonu costs about 34% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Both Kastamonu and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median โ Kastamonu16% lower, Chiang Mai37% lower.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Kastamonu
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.32โบ419
$1.95เธฟ62.8
377.95%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.70โบ1,740
$18.43เธฟ594
109.98%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.89โบ400
$7.50เธฟ241
18.53%
Cappuccino
$3.28โบ147
$1.93เธฟ62.3
69.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.21โบ54.4
$0.78เธฟ25.08
55.13%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.39โบ17.41
$0.32เธฟ10.42
21.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.24โบ146
$2.15เธฟ69.2
50.70%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.76โบ169
$3.71เธฟ120
1.35%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Kastamonu
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.96โบ43.10
$1.71เธฟ55.2
-43.86%
White Bread(500g)
$0.71โบ31.86
$1.56เธฟ50.3
-54.49%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.30โบ103
$1.18เธฟ38.06
94.92%
Eggs
$2.34โบ105
$1.98เธฟ63.9
18.18%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.44โบ424
$16.04เธฟ517
-41.15%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.02โบ271
$3.17เธฟ102
89.91%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.63โบ883
$10.94เธฟ353
79.43%
Apples(1kg)
$1.45โบ65.1
$2.63เธฟ84.7
-44.87%
Banana(1kg)
$2.27โบ102
$1.17เธฟ37.61
94.02%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.25โบ56.4
$1.65เธฟ53.0
-24.24%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.53โบ68.9
$1.54เธฟ49.51
-0.65%
Potato(1kg)
$0.69โบ31.10
$1.38เธฟ44.34
-50.00%
Onion(1kg)
$0.56โบ25.23
$1.17เธฟ37.54
-52.14%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.13โบ50.7
$0.66เธฟ21.25
71.21%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40โบ17.96
$0.51เธฟ16.55
-21.57%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.14โบ96.2
$4.52เธฟ146
-52.65%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.74โบ348
$18.32เธฟ590
-57.75%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.08โบ93.6
$1.80เธฟ57.9
15.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.14โบ141
$3.18เธฟ102
-1.26%
๐ Getting Around
Kastamonu
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.66โบ29.85
$0.90เธฟ28.97
-26.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$30.80โบ1,384
$19.00เธฟ612
62.11%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.92โบ41.15
$1.41เธฟ45.50
-34.75%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.61โบ27.50
$1.31เธฟ42.15
-53.44%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.33โบ284
$8.09เธฟ261
-21.76%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.19โบ53.3
$1.28เธฟ41.08
-7.03%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$42.7Kโบ1.9M
$21.3Kเธฟ686.1K
100.73%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$43.9Kโบ2.0M
$21.7Kเธฟ699.3K
102.07%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kastamonu
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$86.8โบ3,901
$69.2เธฟ2,230
25.42%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.63โบ478
$13.97เธฟ450
-23.91%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.72โบ617
$17.95เธฟ578
-23.57%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Kastamonu
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.13โบ1,983
$42.31เธฟ1,363
4.30%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.66เธฟ214
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.44โบ289
$5.92เธฟ191
8.78%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Kastamonu
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$598โบ26.9K
$299เธฟ9,640
99.99%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.8Kโบ621.8K
$14.8Kเธฟ478.4K
-6.85%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Kastamonu
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.7โบ2,591
$56.2เธฟ1,810
2.60%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.13โบ2,029
$26.94เธฟ868
67.52%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$106โบ4,743
$84.9เธฟ2,735
24.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$95.9โบ4,309
$71.8เธฟ2,314
33.45%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Kastamonu
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$510โบ22.9K
$435เธฟ14.0K
17.35%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$390โบ17.6K
$240เธฟ7,727
62.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$903โบ40.6K
$798เธฟ25.7K
13.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$698โบ31.4K
$498เธฟ16.1K
39.97%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,370โบ61.6K
$1,995เธฟ64.3K
-31.34%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$967โบ43.5K
$1,532เธฟ49.4K
-36.89%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Kastamonu
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,356โบ61.0K
$628เธฟ20.2K
115.86%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
40
5
700.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kastamonu: April 22, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $510 in Kastamonu versus $435 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.
๐ฐSalaries run about 116% higher in Kastamonu, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $39 in Kastamonu versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story โ $231 in Kastamonu vs $244 in Chiang Mai โ so Kastamonu 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
Kastamonu vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Kastamonu or Chiang Mai?
Kastamonu costs about 34% 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 Kastamonu vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,694 per month in Kastamonu and $1,267 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Kastamonu 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 Kastamonu and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $598 per month in Kastamonu 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 Kastamonu or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 6% cheaper in Kastamonu โ 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 Kastamonu or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $845, than in Kastamonu at $1,129. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Kastamonu it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Kastamonu or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $845 versus $1,129 in Kastamonu. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Kastamonu 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 โ central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Kastamonu or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Kastamonu makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.