ðA single person spends $954 per month in Noril'sk vs $845 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $1,482 per month in Noril'sk vs $1,323 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $2,010 per month in Noril'sk vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðNoril'sk costs about 13% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðBoth Noril'sk and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median â Noril'sk29% lower, Chiang Mai37% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Noril'sk
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.79â―735
$1.95āļŋ62.8
402.05%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.64â―2,824
$18.43āļŋ594
104.23%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.67â―426
$7.50āļŋ241
-24.40%
Cappuccino
$2.27â―170
$1.93āļŋ62.3
17.62%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.08â―80.9
$0.78āļŋ25.08
38.46%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51â―38.63
$0.32āļŋ10.42
59.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.38â―103
$2.15āļŋ69.2
-35.81%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.61â―196
$3.71āļŋ120
-29.65%
ð Groceries & Markets
Noril'sk
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.12â―83.7
$1.71āļŋ55.2
-34.50%
White Bread(500g)
$0.71â―53.2
$1.56āļŋ50.3
-54.49%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38â―104
$1.18āļŋ38.06
16.95%
Eggs
$1.77â―133
$1.98āļŋ63.9
-10.61%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.75â―807
$16.04āļŋ517
-32.98%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.00â―375
$3.17āļŋ102
57.73%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.89â―667
$10.94āļŋ353
-18.74%
Apples(1kg)
$1.75â―131
$2.63āļŋ84.7
-33.46%
Banana(1kg)
$1.87â―140
$1.17āļŋ37.61
59.83%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.00â―150
$1.65āļŋ53.0
21.21%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.71â―203
$1.54āļŋ49.51
75.97%
Potato(1kg)
$0.78â―58.6
$1.38āļŋ44.34
-43.48%
Onion(1kg)
$0.66â―49.82
$1.17āļŋ37.54
-43.59%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.34â―101
$0.66āļŋ21.25
103.03%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66â―49.44
$0.51āļŋ16.55
29.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.86â―215
$4.52āļŋ146
-36.73%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.91â―594
$18.32āļŋ590
-56.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.94â―70.6
$1.80āļŋ57.9
-47.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95â―147
$3.18āļŋ102
-38.68%
ð Getting Around
Noril'sk
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.53â―39.99
$0.90āļŋ28.97
-41.11%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$19.00āļŋ612
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.89â―142
$1.41āļŋ45.50
34.04%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.33â―24.44
$1.31āļŋ42.15
-74.81%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.39â―479
$8.09āļŋ261
-21.01%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.79â―59.0
$1.28āļŋ41.08
-38.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.7Kâ―2.5M
$21.3Kāļŋ686.1K
58.37%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.0Kâ―2.7M
$21.7Kāļŋ699.3K
65.69%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Noril'sk
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$109â―8,192
$69.2āļŋ2,230
57.75%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.12â―459
$13.97āļŋ450
-56.19%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.69â―577
$17.95āļŋ578
-57.16%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Noril'sk
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$35.45â―2,660
$42.31āļŋ1,363
-16.21%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.66āļŋ214
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.20â―390
$5.92āļŋ191
-12.16%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Noril'sk
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$320â―24.0K
$299āļŋ9,640
6.92%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,062â―530.0K
$14.8Kāļŋ478.4K
-52.44%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Noril'sk
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$69.1â―5,187
$56.2āļŋ1,810
23.01%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.83â―3,364
$26.94āļŋ868
66.41%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$116â―8,722
$84.9āļŋ2,735
36.95%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107â―8,008
$71.8āļŋ2,314
48.56%
ð Accommodation & Living
Noril'sk
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$443â―33.2K
$435āļŋ14.0K
1.76%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$307â―23.0K
$240āļŋ7,727
28.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$770â―57.8K
$798āļŋ25.7K
-3.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$515â―38.7K
$498āļŋ16.1K
3.34%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,010â―150.8K
$1,995āļŋ64.3K
0.74%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,534â―115.1K
$1,532āļŋ49.4K
0.18%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Noril'sk
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$628āļŋ20.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
15.33
5
206.60%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Noril'sk: April 22, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $443 in Noril'sk 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.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $38 in Noril'sk versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story â $198 in Noril'sk vs $244 in Chiang Mai â so Noril'sk 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
Noril'sk vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Noril'sk or Chiang Mai?
Noril'sk costs about 13% 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 Noril'sk vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,431 per month in Noril'sk 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, Noril'sk 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 dining costs compare in Noril'sk vs Chiang Mai?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $38.00 in Noril'sk and $18.00 in Chiang Mai. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and cafÃĐ pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Noril'sk or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 23% cheaper in Noril'sk â one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $800/month in Noril'sk or Chiang Mai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably â all-in costs are $954 in Noril'sk and $845 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Noril'sk or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $845 versus $954 in Noril'sk. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Noril'sk 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 Noril'sk or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Noril'sk makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Noril'sk vs other spots: cost of living compared