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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $798 per month in Kutaisi vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,235 per month in Kutaisi vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,672 per month in Kutaisi vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Kutaisi is about 6% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Kutaisi and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Kutaisi 40% lower, Chiang Mai 36% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kutaisi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.12 ₾24.55
$1.96 ฿64.0
365.31%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$28.85 ₾77.6
$18.81 ฿615
53.38%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.41 ₾25.31
$7.92 ฿259
18.81%
Cappuccino
$1.79 ₾4.82
$1.91 ฿62.6
-6.28%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.62 ₾1.66
$0.84 ฿27.41
-26.19%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.41 ₾1.09
$0.35 ฿11.51
17.14%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.09 ₾2.92
$2.21 ฿72.1
-50.68%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.85 ₾4.97
$3.80 ฿124
-51.32%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kutaisi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.94 ₾5.21
$1.64 ฿53.5
18.29%
White Bread (500g)
$0.44 ₾1.18
$1.62 ฿53.1
-72.84%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.09 ₾2.94
$1.18 ฿38.62
-7.63%
Eggs
$2.31 ₾6.20
$2.01 ฿65.8
14.93%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.46 ₾17.38
$15.89 ฿520
-59.35%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.77 ₾12.84
$3.01 ฿98.5
58.47%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.13 ₾27.25
$10.77 ฿352
-5.94%
Apples (1kg)
$1.24 ₾3.35
$2.61 ฿85.5
-52.49%
Banana (1kg)
$1.49 ₾4.01
$1.22 ฿39.88
22.13%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.40 ₾3.78
$1.70 ฿55.7
-17.65%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.49 ₾4.02
$1.58 ฿51.5
-5.70%
Potato (1kg)
$0.72 ₾1.93
$1.32 ฿43.14
-45.45%
Onion (1kg)
$0.77 ₾2.07
$1.17 ฿38.23
-34.19%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.09 ₾2.93
$0.67 ฿21.98
62.69%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.50 ₾1.34
$0.56 ฿18.32
-10.71%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.87 ₾7.71
$4.53 ฿148
-36.64%
Wine (Bottle)
$3.81 ₾10.26
$18.20 ฿595
-79.07%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20 ₾3.22
$1.83 ฿60.0
-34.43%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03 ₾5.47
$3.23 ฿106
-37.15%
🚌 Getting Around
Kutaisi
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.32 ₾0.85
$0.89 ฿29.00
-64.04%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$16.33 ₾43.94
$19.38 ฿634
-15.74%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.70 ₾1.88
$1.35 ฿44.20
-48.15%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.69 ₾1.87
$1.35 ฿44.05
-48.89%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.38 ₾17.17
$8.25 ฿270
-22.67%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.14 ₾3.08
$1.27 ฿41.64
-10.24%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.1K ₾59.3K
$21.2K ฿691.8K
4.25%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.7K ₾63.9K
$22.5K ฿735.3K
5.57%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kutaisi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$67.1 ₾181
$70.2 ฿2,294
-4.32%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.74 ₾18.14
$13.77 ฿450
-51.05%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.63 ₾36.68
$17.60 ฿575
-22.56%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kutaisi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.06 ₾99.7
$41.57 ฿1,360
-10.85%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.85 ₾21.13
$6.60 ฿216
18.94%
Cinema Ticket
$5.07 ₾13.63
$5.78 ฿189
-12.28%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kutaisi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$122 ₾328
$306 ฿10.0K
-60.18%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,521 ₾6,783
$14.8K ฿484.8K
-82.99%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kutaisi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$39.52 ₾106
$54.4 ฿1,778
-27.31%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.14 ₾91.8
$26.14 ฿855
30.60%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.3 ₾232
$84.5 ฿2,764
2.13%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.0 ₾237
$69.4 ฿2,270
26.69%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kutaisi
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$301 ₾809
$424 ฿13.9K
-28.98%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$241 ₾647
$238 ฿7,788
1.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$459 ₾1,235
$825 ฿27.0K
-44.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$334 ₾899
$515 ฿16.8K
-35.13%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$993 ₾2,672
$2,049 ฿67.0K
-51.52%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$667 ₾1,793
$1,523 ฿49.8K
-56.23%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kutaisi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$465 ₾1,250
$635 ฿20.8K
-26.83%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
14.75
5
195.00%

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

Last update for Kutaisi: April 26, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $301 in Kutaisi versus $424 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 37% higher in Chiang Mai, 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 $29.00 in Kutaisi versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $171 in Kutaisi vs $243 in Chiang Mai – so Kutaisi 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
Kutaisi vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Kutaisi or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 7% more than Kutaisi, 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 Kutaisi vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,197 per month in Kutaisi and $1,278 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Kutaisi or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kutaisi, 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 Kutaisi and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $122 per month in Kutaisi and $306 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 Kutaisi or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 42% 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 $1,200/month in Kutaisi or Chiang Mai?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $798 in Kutaisi and $852 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Kutaisi or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Kutaisi costs $798 versus $852 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Kutaisi 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 Kutaisi or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Kutaisi. 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.

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