Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Moscow, ID and Chiang Mai

For one person, living is cheaper in Chiang Mai: $936 a month against $2,108 in Moscow, ID, rent and utilities included – about $14,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Moscow, ID, United States
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Moscow, ID
🇺🇸 United States
$2,108
/mo nomad
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$936
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Moscow, ID and in Chiang Mai

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Moscow, ID and in Chiang Mai actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,108 per month in Moscow, ID vs $936 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Moscow, ID $2,108
  • Chiang Mai $936

A couple spends around $3,438 per month in Moscow, ID vs $1,457 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Moscow, ID $3,438
  • Chiang Mai $1,457

A family of three spends $4,768 per month in Moscow, ID vs $1,979 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Moscow, ID $4,768
  • Chiang Mai $1,979

Moscow, ID costs about 125% more than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Moscow, ID sits 55% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 31% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Moscow, ID
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.88 $8.88
$2.24 ฿75.6
296.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.1 $64.1
$19.00 ฿641
237.47%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.33 $6.33
$5.55 ฿187
14.05%
Cappuccino
$3.16 $3.16
$1.67 ฿56.5
89.22%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.31 $1.31
$0.64 ฿21.54
104.69%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.98 $1.98
$0.31 ฿10.31
538.71%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.40 $5.40
$2.36 ฿79.5
128.81%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.43 $4.43
$3.66 ฿124
21.04%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Moscow, ID
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.01 $1.01
$1.95 ฿65.7
-48.21%
White Bread (500g)
$2.86 $2.86
$1.44 ฿48.46
98.61%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.01 $4.01
$1.33 ฿45.03
201.50%
Eggs
$4.08 $4.08
$2.28 ฿77.1
78.95%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$19.34 $19.34
$16.45 ฿555
17.57%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$17.59 $17.59
$2.78 ฿93.9
532.73%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.20 $20.20
$9.31 ฿314
116.97%
Apples (1kg)
$4.94 $4.94
$2.35 ฿79.4
110.21%
Banana (1kg)
$0.84 $0.84
$0.97 ฿32.79
-13.40%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.10 $3.10
$1.60 ฿53.9
93.75%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.48 $5.48
$1.50 ฿50.6
265.33%
Potato (1kg)
$2.08 $2.08
$1.28 ฿43.11
62.50%
Onion (1kg)
$2.10 $2.10
$1.10 ฿37.18
90.91%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.61 $1.61
$0.71 ฿23.82
126.76%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.98 $1.98
$0.49 ฿16.36
304.08%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.64 $8.64
$4.14 ฿140
108.70%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.61 $12.61
$17.52 ฿591
-28.03%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70 $1.70
$1.61 ฿54.5
5.59%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.72 $4.72
$2.78 ฿93.9
69.78%
🚌 Getting Around
Moscow, ID
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.87 ฿29.30
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$54.1 ฿1,825
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.01 $4.01
$1.16 ฿39.04
245.69%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$4.08 $4.08
$0.53 ฿17.80
669.81%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$49.89 $49.89
$2.42 ฿81.7
1961.57%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.99 $0.99
$1.45 ฿48.88
-31.72%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.9K $32.9K
$21.1K ฿710.5K
56.46%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.5K $28.5K
$26.9K ฿909.0K
5.73%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Moscow, ID
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$271 $271
$62.2 ฿2,098
336.19%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$38.78 $38.78
$12.17 ฿411
218.65%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.6 $71.6
$20.12 ฿679
255.67%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Moscow, ID
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$143 $143
$37.31 ฿1,259
282.90%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$3.77 ฿127
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.82 $14.82
$6.49 ฿219
128.35%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Moscow, ID
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,572 $1,572
$736 ฿24.8K
113.51%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$21.1K $21.1K
$14.8K ฿498.2K
43.13%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Moscow, ID
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$30.02 $30.02
$53.4 ฿1,801
-43.75%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.40 $39.40
$24.64 ฿831
59.90%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$83.4 $83.4
$91.5 ฿3,087
-8.88%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$60.3 $60.3
$71.9 ฿2,427
-16.17%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Moscow, ID
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,005 $1,005
$482 ฿16.3K
108.35%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$826 $826
$309 ฿10.4K
167.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,296 $2,296
$1,006 ฿33.9K
128.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,074 $2,074
$633 ฿21.4K
227.35%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,807 $2,807
$2,363 ฿79.7K
18.78%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,864 $2,864
$1,589 ฿53.6K
80.23%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Moscow, ID
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,953 $2,953
$590 ฿19.9K
400.74%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.54
5.57
17.41%

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

Last update for Moscow, ID: October 26, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Moscow, ID
$826
Chiang Mai
$309 62.6% $517
Groceries & Markets
Moscow, ID
$431
Chiang Mai
$234 45.6% $197
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Moscow, ID
$382
Chiang Mai
$94 75.2% $287
Eating Out
Moscow, ID
$177
Chiang Mai
$78 56.2% $99
Sport & Entertainment
Moscow, ID
$173
Chiang Mai
$50 70.9% $122
Clothing & Footwear
Moscow, ID
$96
Chiang Mai
$109 13.3% $13
Getting Around
Moscow, ID
$24 *
Chiang Mai
$61 152% $37

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,005 in Moscow, ID versus $482 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 in Moscow, ID are about 5 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $64 in Moscow, ID versus $19 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $431 vs $234 – making Chiang Mai the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Moscow, ID
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🕒 Local time
17:06 5:06 PM
08:06 8:06 AM
15 h ahead of Moscow, ID
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
22,352
127,240
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

THB, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.896 EUR).

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 33.74 THB (100 THB = 2.96 USD). 1 EUR = 37.67 THB (100 THB = 2.65 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Moscow, ID Chiang Mai 11,890 km ≈ 15 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Moscow, ID
  • Chiang Mai

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Moscow, ID vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Moscow, ID or Chiang Mai?
Moscow, ID costs about 125% more than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. 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 Moscow, ID and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,163 per month in Moscow, ID and $1,403 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Moscow, ID or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Chiang Mai, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $482 there versus $1,005 in Moscow, ID.
How do dining costs compare in Moscow, ID and in Chiang Mai?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $64 in Moscow, ID and $19 in Chiang Mai. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Moscow, ID or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 84% more in Moscow, ID, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $800/month in Moscow, ID or in Chiang Mai?
$800 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,108 in Moscow, ID and $936 in Chiang Mai. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Chiang Mai – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Should I move to Moscow, ID or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Moscow, ID makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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