Cost of Living Comparison Between Kielce and Chiang Mai Cost of Living Comparison Between Kielce and Chiang Mai

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,314 per month in Kielce vs $861 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,874 per month in Kielce vs $1,350 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,433 per month in Kielce vs $1,838 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Kielce costs about 53% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Kielce and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Kielce 2% lower, Chiang Mai 36% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kielce
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.96 zł 41.58
$1.96 ฿65.8
459.18%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$41.47 zł 157
$18.35 ฿617
125.99%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.74 zł 25.57
$7.48 ฿252
-9.89%
Cappuccino
$2.96 zł 11.21
$2.02 ฿67.8
46.53%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.13 zł 8.10
$0.85 ฿28.50
150.59%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84 zł 3.19
$0.36 ฿11.96
133.33%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.18 zł 12.07
$2.14 ฿71.8
48.60%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.15 zł 15.75
$3.59 ฿121
15.60%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kielce
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.97 zł 3.68
$1.65 ฿55.5
-41.21%
White Bread (500g)
$1.44 zł 5.47
$1.57 ฿52.7
-8.28%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.19 zł 4.50
$1.19 ฿40.02
-
Eggs
$3.44 zł 13.05
$1.94 ฿65.1
77.32%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.85 zł 33.57
$16.19 ฿544
-45.34%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.71 zł 25.47
$2.99 ฿101
124.41%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.45 zł 47.24
$10.94 ฿368
13.80%
Apples (1kg)
$0.97 zł 3.69
$2.71 ฿91.2
-64.21%
Banana (1kg)
$1.52 zł 5.78
$1.17 ฿39.25
29.91%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.60 zł 6.06
$1.69 ฿56.7
-5.33%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.78 zł 10.54
$1.60 ฿54.0
73.75%
Potato (1kg)
$0.59 zł 2.25
$1.38 ฿46.54
-57.25%
Onion (1kg)
$0.59 zł 2.23
$1.20 ฿40.45
-50.83%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.71 zł 6.50
$0.67 ฿22.50
155.22%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.47 zł 1.78
$0.56 ฿18.73
-16.07%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.10 zł 19.36
$4.64 ฿156
9.91%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.39 zł 24.23
$17.62 ฿593
-63.73%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.29 zł 4.90
$1.86 ฿62.5
-30.65%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51 zł 5.73
$3.30 ฿111
-54.24%
🚌 Getting Around
Kielce
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.07 zł 4.06
$0.88 ฿29.68
21.59%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$32.85 zł 125
$19.34 ฿650
69.86%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.47 zł 9.37
$1.36 ฿45.90
81.62%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.72 zł 2.73
$1.34 ฿44.98
-46.27%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$14.94 zł 56.7
$8.21 ฿276
81.97%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.70 zł 6.43
$1.22 ฿41.18
39.34%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.8K zł 128.4K
$21.4K ฿718.1K
58.46%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.0K zł 113.9K
$22.5K ฿757.7K
33.25%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kielce
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$208 zł 788
$70.7 ฿2,376
193.94%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.10 zł 30.75
$14.04 ฿472
-42.31%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.90 zł 45.15
$17.49 ฿588
-31.96%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kielce
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$31.05 zł 118
$42.15 ฿1,417
-26.33%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.52 zł 77.9
$6.88 ฿231
198.26%
Cinema Ticket
$8.08 zł 30.66
$5.92 ฿199
36.49%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kielce
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$285 zł 1,082
$309 ฿10.4K
-7.56%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,925 zł 22.5K
$14.9K ฿500.4K
-60.18%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kielce
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$76.1 zł 289
$55.8 ฿1,875
36.50%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.65 zł 185
$26.11 ฿878
86.33%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$80.0 zł 304
$83.0 ฿2,792
-3.60%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111 zł 421
$70.5 ฿2,369
57.35%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kielce
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$548 zł 2,081
$432 ฿14.5K
26.92%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$459 zł 1,742
$239 ฿8,035
92.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$776 zł 2,945
$822 ฿27.7K
-5.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$586 zł 2,223
$512 ฿17.2K
14.45%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,186 zł 12.1K
$1,915 ฿64.4K
66.41%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,524 zł 9,578
$1,467 ฿49.3K
72.07%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kielce
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,361 zł 5,164
$579 ฿19.5K
134.94%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.97
5
19.40%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Kielce: July 14, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $548 in Kielce versus $432 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.

Salaries run about 135% higher in Kielce, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $41.00 in Kielce versus $18.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $212 in Kielce vs $243 in Chiang Mai – 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 53% 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 and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,971 per month in Kielce and $1,292 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – 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 in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $285 per month in Kielce and $309 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 in Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 15% cheaper in Kielce – 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 in Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $861, than in Kielce at $1,314. 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 $861 versus $1,314 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 – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Kielce or to 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.

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