πA single person spends $1,030 per month in Korolyov vs $866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,441 per month in Korolyov vs $1,351 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA family of three spends $1,852 per month in Korolyov vs $1,835 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πKorolyov costs about 19% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Korolyov and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median β Korolyov23% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Korolyov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.93β½652
$1.94ΰΈΏ63.5
360.31%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$20.26β½1,479
$18.64ΰΈΏ609
8.69%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.31β½388
$7.82ΰΈΏ255
-32.10%
Cappuccino
$1.99β½145
$1.95ΰΈΏ63.8
2.05%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.91β½66.1
$0.85ΰΈΏ27.77
7.06%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36β½26.59
$0.35ΰΈΏ11.58
2.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.12β½301
$2.13ΰΈΏ69.6
93.43%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86β½136
$3.73ΰΈΏ122
-50.13%
π Groceries & Markets
Korolyov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.13β½82.7
$1.71ΰΈΏ56.0
-33.92%
White Bread(500g)
$0.45β½32.59
$1.63ΰΈΏ53.2
-72.39%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.30β½94.8
$1.14ΰΈΏ37.15
14.04%
Eggs
$1.60β½117
$1.93ΰΈΏ63.1
-17.10%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.07β½881
$16.21ΰΈΏ530
-25.54%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.21β½380
$3.12ΰΈΏ102
66.99%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.83β½572
$10.90ΰΈΏ356
-28.17%
Apples(1kg)
$1.88β½137
$2.75ΰΈΏ90.0
-31.64%
Banana(1kg)
$1.62β½118
$1.21ΰΈΏ39.52
33.88%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.27β½166
$1.62ΰΈΏ53.0
40.12%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.99β½291
$1.59ΰΈΏ51.8
150.94%
Potato(1kg)
$0.40β½29.14
$1.40ΰΈΏ45.70
-71.43%
Onion(1kg)
$0.81β½59.1
$1.17ΰΈΏ38.17
-30.77%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.63β½119
$0.66ΰΈΏ21.60
146.97%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56β½40.93
$0.53ΰΈΏ17.22
5.66%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.49β½181
$4.69ΰΈΏ153
-46.91%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.17β½815
$18.66ΰΈΏ609
-40.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.08β½79.1
$1.80ΰΈΏ58.8
-40.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.48β½108
$3.23ΰΈΏ106
-54.18%
π Getting Around
Korolyov
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.74β½54.0
$0.90ΰΈΏ29.26
-17.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$22.25β½1,624
$19.21ΰΈΏ628
15.83%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.48β½181
$1.41ΰΈΏ45.91
75.89%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.44β½32.46
$1.29ΰΈΏ42.12
-65.89%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.21β½600
$7.84ΰΈΏ256
4.72%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.75β½54.7
$1.27ΰΈΏ41.58
-40.94%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.9Kβ½2.8M
$21.3KΰΈΏ694.9K
82.59%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.1Kβ½1.5M
$22.2KΰΈΏ725.4K
-9.53%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Korolyov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$126β½9,227
$69.1ΰΈΏ2,256
83.02%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.63β½411
$14.08ΰΈΏ460
-60.01%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.10β½591
$18.00ΰΈΏ588
-55.00%
π Sport & Entertainment
Korolyov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$32.27β½2,356
$41.06ΰΈΏ1,341
-21.41%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.22β½1,111
$6.96ΰΈΏ227
118.68%
Cinema Ticket
$5.54β½404
$5.92ΰΈΏ193
-6.42%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Korolyov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$712β½51.9K
$299ΰΈΏ9,766
137.96%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.6Kβ½1.1M
$15.0KΰΈΏ488.3K
-2.11%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Korolyov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.3β½4,183
$54.7ΰΈΏ1,787
4.75%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.55β½1,865
$26.77ΰΈΏ874
-4.56%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$38.45β½2,806
$85.0ΰΈΏ2,776
-54.76%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$56.8β½4,147
$70.6ΰΈΏ2,306
-19.52%
π Accommodation & Living
Korolyov
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$466β½34.0K
$428ΰΈΏ14.0K
8.89%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$368β½26.8K
$237ΰΈΏ7,752
54.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$702β½51.2K
$801ΰΈΏ26.2K
-12.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$487β½35.6K
$515ΰΈΏ16.8K
-5.48%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,766β½201.9K
$1,975ΰΈΏ64.5K
40.07%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,540β½185.4K
$1,475ΰΈΏ48.2K
72.17%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Korolyov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,114β½81.3K
$617ΰΈΏ20.2K
80.38%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
15
5
200.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Korolyov: May 31, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $466 in Korolyov versus $428 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.
π°Salaries run about 80% higher in Korolyov, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $20.00 in Korolyov versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story β $208 in Korolyov vs $246 in Chiang Mai β so Korolyov 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
Korolyov vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Korolyov or Chiang Mai?
Korolyov costs about 19% 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 Korolyov vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,545 per month in Korolyov and $1,300 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Korolyov 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 Korolyov and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $712 per month in Korolyov 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 Korolyov or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 18% cheaper in Korolyov β 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 Korolyov or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $866, than in Korolyov at $1,030. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Korolyov it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Korolyov or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $866 versus $1,030 in Korolyov. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Korolyov 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 β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Korolyov or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Korolyov makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.