๐A single person spends $966 per month in Kholmsk vs $845 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $1,479 per month in Kholmsk vs $1,323 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $1,993 per month in Kholmsk vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐Kholmsk costs about 14% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Both Kholmsk and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median โ Kholmsk28% lower, Chiang Mai37% lower.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Kholmsk
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.57โฝ718
$1.95เธฟ62.8
390.77%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.48โฝ2,813
$18.43เธฟ594
103.36%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.87โฝ441
$7.50เธฟ241
-21.73%
Cappuccino
$2.28โฝ171
$1.93เธฟ62.3
18.13%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.13โฝ84.7
$0.78เธฟ25.08
44.87%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48โฝ35.96
$0.32เธฟ10.42
50.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.41โฝ106
$2.15เธฟ69.2
-34.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.60โฝ195
$3.71เธฟ120
-29.92%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Kholmsk
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.11โฝ83.3
$1.71เธฟ55.2
-35.09%
White Bread(500g)
$0.69โฝ52.1
$1.56เธฟ50.3
-55.77%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.44โฝ108
$1.18เธฟ38.06
22.03%
Eggs
$2.19โฝ164
$1.98เธฟ63.9
10.61%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.76โฝ807
$16.04เธฟ517
-32.92%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.84โฝ363
$3.17เธฟ102
52.68%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.77โฝ658
$10.94เธฟ353
-19.84%
Apples(1kg)
$1.81โฝ136
$2.63เธฟ84.7
-31.18%
Banana(1kg)
$1.89โฝ142
$1.17เธฟ37.61
61.54%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.92โฝ144
$1.65เธฟ53.0
16.36%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.76โฝ207
$1.54เธฟ49.51
79.22%
Potato(1kg)
$0.84โฝ63.1
$1.38เธฟ44.34
-39.13%
Onion(1kg)
$0.67โฝ50.5
$1.17เธฟ37.54
-42.74%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.34โฝ101
$0.66เธฟ21.25
103.03%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.67โฝ50.5
$0.51เธฟ16.55
31.37%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.96โฝ222
$4.52เธฟ146
-34.51%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.85โฝ589
$18.32เธฟ590
-57.15%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.03โฝ77.2
$1.80เธฟ57.9
-42.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.88โฝ141
$3.18เธฟ102
-40.88%
๐ Getting Around
Kholmsk
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.53โฝ39.86
$0.90เธฟ28.97
-41.11%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$19.00เธฟ612
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.85โฝ139
$1.41เธฟ45.50
31.21%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.35โฝ26.55
$1.31เธฟ42.15
-73.28%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.26โฝ470
$8.09เธฟ261
-22.62%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.74โฝ55.3
$1.28เธฟ41.08
-42.19%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.3Kโฝ2.6M
$21.3Kเธฟ686.1K
61.26%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.1Kโฝ2.6M
$21.7Kเธฟ699.3K
61.81%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kholmsk
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$110โฝ8,246
$69.2เธฟ2,230
58.80%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.03โฝ452
$13.97เธฟ450
-56.84%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.02โฝ602
$17.95เธฟ578
-55.32%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Kholmsk
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$35.90โฝ2,694
$42.31เธฟ1,363
-15.15%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.66เธฟ214
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.94โฝ371
$5.92เธฟ191
-16.55%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Kholmsk
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$318โฝ23.8K
$299เธฟ9,640
6.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,051โฝ529.1K
$14.8Kเธฟ478.4K
-52.52%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Kholmsk
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$71.1โฝ5,338
$56.2เธฟ1,810
26.61%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.95โฝ3,373
$26.94เธฟ868
66.85%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$115โฝ8,644
$84.9เธฟ2,735
35.74%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107โฝ8,055
$71.8เธฟ2,314
49.44%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Kholmsk
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$440โฝ33.0K
$435เธฟ14.0K
1.13%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$301โฝ22.6K
$240เธฟ7,727
25.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$776โฝ58.2K
$798เธฟ25.7K
-2.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$509โฝ38.2K
$498เธฟ16.1K
2.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$997โฝ74.8K
$1,995เธฟ64.3K
-50.05%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,522โฝ114.2K
$1,532เธฟ49.4K
-0.64%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Kholmsk
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$596โฝ44.7K
$628เธฟ20.2K
-5.11%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
18.33
5
266.60%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kholmsk: April 20, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $440 in Kholmsk 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 5% higher in Chiang Mai, which reinforces the cost advantage โ you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $37 in Kholmsk versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story โ $199 in Kholmsk vs $244 in Chiang Mai โ so Kholmsk wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated March 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Kholmsk vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Kholmsk or Chiang Mai?
Kholmsk costs about 14% 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 Kholmsk vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,449 per month in Kholmsk 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, Kholmsk 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 dining costs compare in Kholmsk vs Chiang Mai?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $37.00 in Kholmsk and $18.00 in Chiang Mai. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and cafรฉ pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Kholmsk or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 22% cheaper in Kholmsk โ one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $800/month in Kholmsk or Chiang Mai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably โ all-in costs are $966 in Kholmsk and $845 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Kholmsk or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $845 versus $966 in Kholmsk. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Kholmsk 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 Kholmsk or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Kholmsk makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.