Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Novi Pazar and Chiang Mai

For one person, living is cheaper in Chiang Mai: $936 a month against $1,046 in Novi Pazar, rent and utilities included – about $1,300 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Novi Pazar, Serbia
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Novi Pazar
🇷🇸 Serbia
$1,046
/mo nomad
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$936
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Novi Pazar 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 Novi Pazar and in Chiang Mai actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,046 per month in Novi Pazar vs $936 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Novi Pazar $1,046
  • Chiang Mai $936

A couple spends around $1,505 per month in Novi Pazar vs $1,457 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Novi Pazar $1,505
  • Chiang Mai $1,457

A family of three spends $1,965 per month in Novi Pazar vs $1,979 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Novi Pazar $1,965
  • Chiang Mai $1,979

Novi Pazar costs about 12% more than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in clothing.

Both Novi Pazar and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Novi Pazar 23% lower, Chiang Mai 31% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Novi Pazar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.85 RSD 722
$2.24 ฿75.7
205.80%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$17.97 RSD 1,893
$19.00 ฿642
-5.42%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.83 RSD 825
$5.55 ฿188
41.08%
Cappuccino
$1.62 RSD 170
$1.67 ฿56.6
-2.99%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.61 RSD 169
$0.64 ฿21.56
151.56%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.29 RSD 136
$0.31 ฿10.32
316.13%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.85 RSD 195
$2.36 ฿79.6
-21.61%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.89 RSD 199
$3.66 ฿124
-48.36%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Novi Pazar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.41 RSD 148
$1.95 ฿65.8
-27.69%
White Bread (500g)
$0.75 RSD 78.9
$1.44 ฿48.51
-47.92%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.56 RSD 269
$1.33 ฿45.07
92.48%
Eggs
$1.82 RSD 191
$2.28 ฿77.1
-20.18%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.62 RSD 1,014
$16.45 ฿556
-41.52%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.60 RSD 695
$2.78 ฿94.0
137.41%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.36 RSD 1,618
$9.31 ฿314
64.98%
Apples (1kg)
$1.11 RSD 117
$2.35 ฿79.5
-52.77%
Banana (1kg)
$1.78 RSD 188
$0.97 ฿32.82
83.51%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.90 RSD 200
$1.60 ฿53.9
18.75%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.00 RSD 316
$1.50 ฿50.7
100.00%
Potato (1kg)
$0.87 RSD 92.1
$1.28 ฿43.15
-32.03%
Onion (1kg)
$0.70 RSD 73.4
$1.10 ฿37.22
-36.36%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.81 RSD 85.1
$0.71 ฿23.84
14.08%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.73 RSD 77.4
$0.49 ฿16.38
48.98%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.58 RSD 482
$4.14 ฿140
10.63%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.44 RSD 890
$17.52 ฿592
-51.83%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.94 RSD 99.1
$1.61 ฿54.5
-41.61%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.46 RSD 154
$2.78 ฿94.0
-47.48%
🚌 Getting Around
Novi Pazar
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.90 RSD 95.1
$0.87 ฿29.33
3.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$18.78 RSD 1,979
$54.1 ฿1,827
-65.28%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.16 RSD 123
$1.16 ฿39.08
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.02 RSD 108
$0.53 ฿17.82
92.45%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$17.31 RSD 1,824
$2.42 ฿81.8
615.29%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.92 RSD 202
$1.45 ฿48.93
32.41%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.2K RSD 3.2M
$21.1K ฿711.2K
43.43%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.7K RSD 2.5M
$26.9K ฿909.8K
-11.91%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Novi Pazar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$203 RSD 21.4K
$62.2 ฿2,100
227.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.82 RSD 2,615
$12.17 ฿411
103.94%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.43 RSD 3,522
$20.12 ฿680
66.15%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Novi Pazar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$28.84 RSD 3,039
$37.31 ฿1,260
-22.70%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$3.77 ฿127
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.34 RSD 457
$6.49 ฿219
-33.13%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Novi Pazar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$170 RSD 17.9K
$736 ฿24.9K
-76.96%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.4K RSD 1.2M
$14.8K ฿498.6K
-22.90%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Novi Pazar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$109 RSD 11.5K
$53.4 ฿1,802
104.89%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.91 RSD 5,048
$24.64 ฿832
94.44%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$85.9 RSD 9,053
$91.5 ฿3,089
-6.07%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$152 RSD 16.0K
$71.9 ฿2,429
110.65%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Novi Pazar
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$254 RSD 26.8K
$482 ฿16.3K
-47.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$192 RSD 20.2K
$309 ฿10.4K
-37.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$361 RSD 38.1K
$1,006 ฿34.0K
-64.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$291 RSD 30.6K
$633 ฿21.4K
-54.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,696 RSD 178.7K
$2,363 ฿79.8K
-28.22%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,422 RSD 149.8K
$1,589 ฿53.7K
-10.53%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Novi Pazar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$725 RSD 76.4K
$590 ฿19.9K
22.98%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.61
5.57
-17.24%

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

Last update for Novi Pazar: October 26, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Novi Pazar
$262
Chiang Mai
$94 63.9% $167
Groceries & Markets
Novi Pazar
$226
Chiang Mai
$234 3.5% $7.9
Accommodation & Living
Novi Pazar
$192
Chiang Mai
$309 61.2% $117
Clothing & Footwear
Novi Pazar
$178
Chiang Mai
$109 38.8% $69
Eating Out
Novi Pazar
$122
Chiang Mai
$78 36.6% $45
Sport & Entertainment
Novi Pazar
$38
Chiang Mai
$50 34% $13
Getting Around
Novi Pazar
$29
Chiang Mai
$61 114% $33

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $254 in Novi Pazar 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 run about 23% higher in Novi Pazar. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $18 in Novi Pazar versus $19 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $226 vs $234 – making Novi Pazar the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇷🇸 Novi Pazar
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🕒 Local time
13:00 1:00 PM
19:00 7:00 PM
6 h ahead of Novi Pazar
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
71,462
127,240
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

THB, USD, EUR to RSD – Serbian Dinar Converter

Serbian Dinar exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 105 RSD (1,000 RSD = 9.49 USD). 1 EUR = 117 RSD (1,000 RSD = 8.53 EUR).

Thai Baht exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 33.77 THB (100 THB = 2.96 USD). 1 EUR = 37.58 THB (100 THB = 2.66 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Novi Pazar Chiang Mai 7,670 km ≈ 10 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Novi Pazar
  • 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
Novi Pazar vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Novi Pazar or Chiang Mai?
Novi Pazar costs about 12% more than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from clothing. 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 Novi Pazar and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,569 per month in Novi Pazar 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, Novi Pazar or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Novi Pazar, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $254 there versus $482 in Chiang Mai.
How do childcare costs compare in Novi Pazar and in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $170 per month in Novi Pazar and $736 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 Novi Pazar or in Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 3% cheaper in Novi Pazar – 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 Novi Pazar or in Chiang Mai?
$800 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $1,046 in Novi Pazar and $936 in Chiang Mai. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Novi Pazar or Chiang Mai?
It depends on your priorities. Chiang Mai has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $936 in Chiang Mai to $1,046 in Novi Pazar. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How safe is Novi Pazar 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 Novi Pazar or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Novi Pazar makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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