😐A single person spends $1,401 per month in Nowy Sacz vs $947 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,112 per month in Nowy Sacz vs $1,411 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,824 per month in Nowy Sacz vs $1,874 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐Nowy Sacz costs about 48% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Nowy Sacz sits 2% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 31% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Nowy Sacz
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.48zł 35.22
$2.08฿68.6
355.77%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$40.56zł 151
$19.64฿646
106.52%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.88zł 29.28
$5.65฿186
39.47%
Cappuccino
$3.20zł 11.90
$1.81฿59.4
76.80%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05zł 7.61
$0.71฿23.45
188.73%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57zł 5.84
$0.32฿10.38
390.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.88zł 10.70
$2.24฿73.6
28.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.30zł 12.28
$3.63฿119
-9.09%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Nowy Sacz
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.04zł 3.86
$1.96฿64.4
-46.94%
White Bread(500g)
$1.38zł 5.13
$1.50฿49.39
-8.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.67zł 6.21
$1.34฿43.93
24.63%
Eggs
$3.43zł 12.76
$2.26฿74.5
51.77%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.31zł 34.57
$16.26฿535
-42.74%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.58zł 24.46
$2.95฿97.1
123.05%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.00zł 44.59
$9.94฿327
20.72%
Apples(1kg)
$1.26zł 4.68
$2.57฿84.6
-50.97%
Banana(1kg)
$1.88zł 6.97
$1.06฿34.73
77.36%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.85zł 6.88
$1.61฿53.0
14.91%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.70zł 10.02
$1.52฿49.97
77.63%
Potato(1kg)
$0.98zł 3.63
$1.27฿41.77
-22.83%
Onion(1kg)
$1.10zł 4.10
$1.07฿35.06
2.80%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.42zł 5.28
$0.72฿23.68
97.22%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72zł 2.68
$0.51฿16.72
41.18%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.35zł 19.88
$4.19฿138
27.68%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.91zł 25.66
$17.87฿587
-61.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.11zł 4.12
$1.69฿55.7
-34.32%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80zł 6.68
$2.84฿93.3
-36.62%
🚌 Getting Around
Nowy Sacz
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.27zł 4.73
$0.93฿30.43
36.56%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$31.60zł 117
$53.9฿1,771
-41.33%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.21zł 8.19
$1.23฿40.59
79.67%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.77zł 2.88
$0.58฿18.96
32.76%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$10.58zł 39.30
$2.42฿79.7
337.19%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.65zł 6.12
$1.41฿46.43
17.02%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.7Kzł 121.6K
$21.4K฿705.1K
52.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.1Kzł 104.2K
$27.3K฿898.7K
2.66%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nowy Sacz
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$313zł 1,161
$63.7฿2,093
391.02%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.27zł 38.15
$12.85฿423
-20.08%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.19zł 49.01
$20.22฿665
-34.77%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Nowy Sacz
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$45.53zł 169
$38.74฿1,274
17.53%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.34zł 90.4
$3.97฿130
513.10%
Cinema Ticket
$8.68zł 32.23
$6.74฿222
28.78%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Nowy Sacz
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$266zł 987
$778฿25.6K
-65.86%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,236zł 8,307
$14.6K฿480.4K
-84.69%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Nowy Sacz
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.9zł 223
$54.3฿1,785
10.35%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.62zł 147
$25.45฿837
55.68%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$59.7zł 222
$94.3฿3,102
-36.76%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$73.8zł 274
$73.4฿2,415
0.54%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Nowy Sacz
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$542zł 2,014
$490฿16.1K
10.68%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$444zł 1,651
$289฿9,512
53.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,104zł 4,100
$894฿29.4K
23.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$937zł 3,480
$517฿17.0K
81.20%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,006zł 7,450
$1,955฿64.3K
2.58%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,205zł 4,476
$1,477฿48.6K
-18.41%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Nowy Sacz
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$975zł 3,623
$602฿19.8K
61.98%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.02
5.57
26.03%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Nowy Sacz: August 31, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $542 in Nowy Sacz versus $490 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 62% higher in Nowy Sacz, 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 $41.00 in Nowy Sacz versus $20.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $222 in Nowy Sacz vs $240 in Chiang Mai – so Nowy Sacz 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
Nowy Sacz vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Nowy Sacz or Chiang Mai?
Nowy Sacz costs about 48% 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 Nowy Sacz and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,102 per month in Nowy Sacz and $1,421 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Nowy Sacz 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 Nowy Sacz and in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $266 per month in Nowy Sacz and $778 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 Nowy Sacz or in Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 8% cheaper in Nowy Sacz – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Nowy Sacz or in Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $947, than in Nowy Sacz at $1,401. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Nowy Sacz it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Nowy Sacz or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $947 versus $1,401 in Nowy Sacz. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Nowy Sacz 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 Nowy Sacz or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Nowy Sacz makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.