ðA single person spends $1,749 per month in Kosice vs $845 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $2,452 per month in Kosice vs $1,323 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $3,154 per month in Kosice vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðKosice costs about 107% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðKosice sits 31% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 37% below â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Kosice
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.00âŽ7.68
$1.95āļŋ62.8
361.54%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$56.8âŽ48.46
$18.43āļŋ594
208.25%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.11âŽ7.77
$7.50āļŋ241
21.47%
Cappuccino
$3.25âŽ2.77
$1.93āļŋ62.3
68.39%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.85âŽ1.58
$0.78āļŋ25.08
137.18%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18âŽ1.86
$0.32āļŋ10.42
581.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.63âŽ2.25
$2.15āļŋ69.2
22.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.27âŽ1.94
$3.71āļŋ120
-38.81%
ð Groceries & Markets
Kosice
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.07âŽ0.91
$1.71āļŋ55.2
-37.43%
White Bread(500g)
$1.44âŽ1.23
$1.56āļŋ50.3
-7.69%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.07âŽ1.76
$1.18āļŋ38.06
75.42%
Eggs
$3.72âŽ3.17
$1.98āļŋ63.9
87.88%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.86âŽ13.53
$16.04āļŋ517
-1.12%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.00âŽ6.83
$3.17āļŋ102
152.37%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.03âŽ11.12
$10.94āļŋ353
19.10%
Apples(1kg)
$1.84âŽ1.57
$2.63āļŋ84.7
-30.04%
Banana(1kg)
$1.87âŽ1.59
$1.17āļŋ37.61
59.83%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.28âŽ1.94
$1.65āļŋ53.0
38.18%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.51âŽ4.70
$1.54āļŋ49.51
257.79%
Potato(1kg)
$1.41âŽ1.20
$1.38āļŋ44.34
2.17%
Onion(1kg)
$1.81âŽ1.54
$1.17āļŋ37.54
54.70%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.68âŽ1.43
$0.66āļŋ21.25
154.55%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.76âŽ0.65
$0.51āļŋ16.55
49.02%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.03âŽ5.14
$4.52āļŋ146
33.41%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.05âŽ5.16
$18.32āļŋ590
-66.98%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.10âŽ0.94
$1.80āļŋ57.9
-38.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.30âŽ1.96
$3.18āļŋ102
-27.67%
ð Getting Around
Kosice
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.14âŽ0.97
$0.90āļŋ28.97
26.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$29.23âŽ24.94
$19.00āļŋ612
53.84%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.42âŽ1.21
$1.41āļŋ45.50
0.71%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.22âŽ1.04
$1.31āļŋ42.15
-6.87%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$23.43âŽ19.99
$8.09āļŋ261
189.62%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.78âŽ1.52
$1.28āļŋ41.08
39.06%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.8KâŽ21.2K
$21.3Kāļŋ686.1K
16.47%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.5KâŽ21.8K
$21.7Kāļŋ699.3K
17.57%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kosice
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$315âŽ269
$69.2āļŋ2,230
355.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$31.08âŽ26.51
$13.97āļŋ450
122.48%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.96âŽ17.03
$17.95āļŋ578
11.20%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Kosice
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.91âŽ38.31
$42.31āļŋ1,363
6.15%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.72âŽ11.70
$6.66āļŋ214
106.01%
Cinema Ticket
$10.10âŽ8.61
$5.92āļŋ191
70.61%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Kosice
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$471âŽ402
$299āļŋ9,640
57.56%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,419âŽ6,328
$14.8Kāļŋ478.4K
-50.04%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Kosice
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.0âŽ59.7
$56.2āļŋ1,810
24.51%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.78âŽ21.14
$26.94āļŋ868
-8.02%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$74.5âŽ63.6
$84.9āļŋ2,735
-12.17%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108âŽ92.3
$71.8āļŋ2,314
50.62%
ð Accommodation & Living
Kosice
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$837âŽ714
$435āļŋ14.0K
92.47%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$693âŽ591
$240āļŋ7,727
189.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,375âŽ1,173
$798āļŋ25.7K
72.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$928âŽ792
$498āļŋ16.1K
86.21%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,128âŽ3,521
$1,995āļŋ64.3K
106.88%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,940âŽ2,508
$1,532āļŋ49.4K
91.94%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Kosice
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,513âŽ1,290
$628āļŋ20.2K
140.78%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.5
5
-10.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kosice: April 21, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $837 in Kosice 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.
ð°Salaries run about 141% higher in Kosice, 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 $57 in Kosice versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $278 vs $244 â making Chiang Mai the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Kosice vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Kosice or Chiang Mai?
Kosice costs about 107% 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 Kosice vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,623 per month in Kosice and $1,267 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Kosice 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 Kosice and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $471 per month in Kosice 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 Kosice or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 14% more in Kosice, 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 $1,000/month in Kosice or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $845, than in Kosice at $1,749. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Kosice it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Kosice or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $845 versus $1,749 in Kosice. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Kosice 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 Kosice or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Kosice makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.