๐A single person spends $788 per month in Kirov vs $872 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $1,294 per month in Kirov vs $1,337 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $1,800 per month in Kirov vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐Kirov is about 10% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
๐Both Kirov and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median โ Kirov42% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Kirov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.28โฝ477
$2.01เธฟ64.5
212.44%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.16โฝ2,446
$18.23เธฟ584
76.41%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.18โฝ318
$7.65เธฟ245
-45.36%
Cappuccino
$2.48โฝ188
$1.92เธฟ61.5
29.17%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.80โฝ60.6
$0.84เธฟ26.97
-4.76%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33โฝ25.47
$0.36เธฟ11.42
-8.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.42โฝ108
$2.19เธฟ70.2
-35.16%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.11โฝ84.3
$3.79เธฟ121
-70.71%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Kirov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.87โฝ66.3
$1.64เธฟ52.5
-46.95%
White Bread(500g)
$0.59โฝ45.14
$1.62เธฟ52.0
-63.58%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.42โฝ108
$1.15เธฟ36.98
23.48%
Eggs
$1.51โฝ115
$1.94เธฟ62.2
-22.16%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.49โฝ1,026
$15.94เธฟ511
-15.37%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.36โฝ332
$3.10เธฟ99.5
40.65%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.85โฝ445
$11.07เธฟ355
-47.15%
Apples(1kg)
$1.84โฝ140
$2.71เธฟ86.8
-32.10%
Banana(1kg)
$1.82โฝ139
$1.18เธฟ37.80
54.24%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.76โฝ134
$1.71เธฟ54.7
2.92%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.09โฝ159
$1.61เธฟ51.5
29.81%
Potato(1kg)
$0.93โฝ70.4
$1.39เธฟ44.66
-33.09%
Onion(1kg)
$0.69โฝ52.6
$1.15เธฟ36.81
-40.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.67โฝ127
$0.71เธฟ22.83
135.21%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55โฝ41.49
$0.55เธฟ17.65
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.88โฝ219
$4.57เธฟ146
-36.98%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.33โฝ405
$18.87เธฟ605
-71.75%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.62โฝ47.05
$1.82เธฟ58.4
-65.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.88โฝ143
$3.21เธฟ103
-41.43%
๐ Getting Around
Kirov
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.49โฝ37.39
$0.88เธฟ28.24
-44.32%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$31.77โฝ2,416
$18.89เธฟ606
68.18%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.03โฝ306
$1.41เธฟ45.30
185.82%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.23โฝ17.53
$1.30เธฟ41.71
-82.31%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.19โฝ395
$8.20เธฟ263
-36.71%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.73โฝ55.6
$1.23เธฟ39.29
-40.65%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.1Kโฝ2.6M
$21.2Kเธฟ678.9K
60.93%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.8Kโฝ2.7M
$22.3Kเธฟ715.3K
60.37%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kirov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$61.9โฝ4,704
$69.9เธฟ2,240
-11.48%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.76โฝ514
$14.07เธฟ451
-51.95%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.31โฝ1,164
$17.70เธฟ567
-13.50%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Kirov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.12โฝ3,127
$41.41เธฟ1,328
-0.70%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.69เธฟ215
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.99โฝ379
$5.74เธฟ184
-13.07%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Kirov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$323โฝ24.6K
$299เธฟ9,593
8.10%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,908โฝ525.4K
$15.0Kเธฟ481.2K
-53.97%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Kirov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$18.85โฝ1,434
$54.8เธฟ1,758
-65.61%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.17โฝ3,435
$26.35เธฟ845
71.42%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$116โฝ8,832
$84.7เธฟ2,714
37.19%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108โฝ8,247
$69.7เธฟ2,236
55.49%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Kirov
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$348โฝ26.5K
$427เธฟ13.7K
-18.39%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$202โฝ15.3K
$241เธฟ7,718
-16.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$777โฝ59.1K
$811เธฟ26.0K
-4.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$448โฝ34.1K
$498เธฟ16.0K
-10.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,633โฝ124.2K
$2,022เธฟ64.8K
-19.24%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,263โฝ96.1K
$1,524เธฟ48.9K
-17.10%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Kirov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$599โฝ45.5K
$639เธฟ20.5K
-6.35%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
14.5
5
190.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kirov: April 12, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $348 in Kirov 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.
๐ฐSalaries run about 7% higher in Chiang Mai, 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 $32 in Kirov versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story โ $179 in Kirov vs $246 in Chiang Mai โ so Kirov 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
Kirov vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Kirov or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 11% more than Kirov, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 Kirov vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,181 per month in Kirov and $1,308 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Kirov or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kirov, 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 Kirov and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $323 per month in Kirov 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 Kirov or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 38% more in Chiang Mai, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $800/month in Kirov or Chiang Mai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably โ all-in costs are $788 in Kirov and $872 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Kirov or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Kirov costs $788 versus $872 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Kirov 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 Kirov or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Kirov. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chiang Mai makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.