ðA single person spends $1,290 per month in Kielce vs $872 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,865 per month in Kielce vs $1,337 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $2,440 per month in Kielce vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðKielce costs about 48% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðBoth Kielce and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median â Kielce4% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Kielce
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.07zÅÂ 39.84
$2.01āļŋ64.5
450.75%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$41.51zÅÂ 149
$18.23āļŋ584
127.70%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.65zÅÂ 23.93
$7.65āļŋ245
-13.07%
Cappuccino
$3.05zÅÂ 10.98
$1.92āļŋ61.5
58.85%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.13zÅÂ 7.68
$0.84āļŋ26.97
153.57%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.83zÅÂ 2.99
$0.36āļŋ11.42
130.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.22zÅÂ 11.58
$2.19āļŋ70.2
47.03%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.13zÅÂ 14.87
$3.79āļŋ121
8.97%
ð Groceries & Markets
Kielce
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.96zÅÂ 3.45
$1.64āļŋ52.5
-41.46%
White Bread(500g)
$1.44zÅÂ 5.18
$1.62āļŋ52.0
-11.11%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.19zÅÂ 4.28
$1.15āļŋ36.98
3.48%
Eggs
$3.32zÅÂ 11.96
$1.94āļŋ62.2
71.13%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.52zÅÂ 30.66
$15.94āļŋ511
-46.55%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.75zÅÂ 24.32
$3.10āļŋ99.5
117.74%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.88zÅÂ 46.36
$11.07āļŋ355
16.35%
Apples(1kg)
$0.93zÅÂ 3.34
$2.71āļŋ86.8
-65.68%
Banana(1kg)
$1.53zÅÂ 5.52
$1.18āļŋ37.80
29.66%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.61zÅÂ 5.80
$1.71āļŋ54.7
-5.85%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.77zÅÂ 9.96
$1.61āļŋ51.5
72.05%
Potato(1kg)
$0.56zÅÂ 2.01
$1.39āļŋ44.66
-59.71%
Onion(1kg)
$0.62zÅÂ 2.23
$1.15āļŋ36.81
-46.09%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.65zÅÂ 5.94
$0.71āļŋ22.83
132.39%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.47zÅÂ 1.70
$0.55āļŋ17.65
-14.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.24zÅÂ 18.86
$4.57āļŋ146
14.66%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.05zÅÂ 25.39
$18.87āļŋ605
-62.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.23zÅÂ 4.41
$1.82āļŋ58.4
-32.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50zÅÂ 5.41
$3.21āļŋ103
-53.27%
ð Getting Around
Kielce
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.11zÅÂ 3.99
$0.88āļŋ28.24
26.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$32.08zÅÂ 116
$18.89āļŋ606
69.83%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.50zÅÂ 9.01
$1.41āļŋ45.30
77.30%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.77zÅÂ 2.77
$1.30āļŋ41.71
-40.77%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$14.88zÅÂ 53.6
$8.20āļŋ263
81.46%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.66zÅÂ 5.98
$1.23āļŋ39.29
34.96%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.2KzÅÂ 119.7K
$21.2Kāļŋ678.9K
56.98%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.0KzÅÂ 108.0K
$22.3Kāļŋ715.3K
34.47%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kielce
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$215zÅÂ 772
$69.9āļŋ2,240
207.01%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.08zÅÂ 29.09
$14.07āļŋ451
-42.57%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.79zÅÂ 42.45
$17.70āļŋ567
-33.39%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Kielce
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$32.02zÅÂ 115
$41.41āļŋ1,328
-22.68%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.60zÅÂ 74.2
$6.69āļŋ215
207.92%
Cinema Ticket
$8.17zÅÂ 29.40
$5.74āļŋ184
42.33%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Kielce
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$281zÅÂ 1,013
$299āļŋ9,593
-5.99%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,044zÅÂ 21.8K
$15.0Kāļŋ481.2K
-59.73%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Kielce
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$76.7zÅÂ 276
$54.8āļŋ1,758
39.89%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.61zÅÂ 175
$26.35āļŋ845
84.48%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$82.8zÅÂ 298
$84.7āļŋ2,714
-2.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112zÅÂ 403
$69.7āļŋ2,236
60.71%
ð Accommodation & Living
Kielce
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$559zÅÂ 2,011
$427āļŋ13.7K
30.83%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$453zÅÂ 1,630
$241āļŋ7,718
88.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$784zÅÂ 2,824
$811āļŋ26.0K
-3.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$599zÅÂ 2,157
$498āļŋ16.0K
20.19%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,303zÅÂ 11.9K
$2,022āļŋ64.8K
63.32%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,648zÅÂ 9,533
$1,524āļŋ48.9K
73.77%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Kielce
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,466zÅÂ 5,276
$639āļŋ20.5K
129.30%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.97
5
19.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kielce: April 12, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $559 in Kielce versus $427 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 129% higher in Kielce, 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 $42 in Kielce versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story â $213 in Kielce vs $246 in Chiang Mai â so Kielce 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
Kielce vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Kielce or Chiang Mai?
Kielce costs about 48% 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 Kielce vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,935 per month in Kielce and $1,308 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Kielce 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 Kielce and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $281 per month in Kielce 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 Kielce or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 16% cheaper in Kielce 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 Kielce or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $872, than in Kielce at $1,290. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Kielce it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Kielce or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $872 versus $1,290 in Kielce. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Kielce 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 Kielce or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Kielce makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.