ðA single person spends $1,521 per month in Pontevedra vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $2,207 per month in Pontevedra vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $2,893 per month in Pontevedra vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðPontevedra costs about 79% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðPontevedra sits 14% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 36% below â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Pontevedra
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.68âŽ13.42
$1.96āļŋ64.0
700.00%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$58.6âŽ50.2
$18.81āļŋ615
211.75%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.64âŽ8.25
$7.92āļŋ259
21.72%
Cappuccino
$1.90âŽ1.63
$1.91āļŋ62.6
-0.52%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.44âŽ2.09
$0.84āļŋ27.41
190.48%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.69âŽ1.45
$0.35āļŋ11.51
382.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.83âŽ2.42
$2.21āļŋ72.1
28.05%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.43âŽ2.94
$3.80āļŋ124
-9.74%
ð Groceries & Markets
Pontevedra
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.12âŽ0.96
$1.64āļŋ53.5
-31.71%
White Bread(500g)
$1.27âŽ1.09
$1.62āļŋ53.1
-21.60%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.65âŽ1.41
$1.18āļŋ38.62
39.83%
Eggs
$2.79âŽ2.39
$2.01āļŋ65.8
38.81%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.65âŽ10.83
$15.89āļŋ520
-20.39%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.65âŽ6.55
$3.01āļŋ98.5
154.15%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.13âŽ10.39
$10.77āļŋ352
12.63%
Apples(1kg)
$2.42âŽ2.07
$2.61āļŋ85.5
-7.28%
Banana(1kg)
$2.75âŽ2.36
$1.22āļŋ39.88
125.41%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.96âŽ1.68
$1.70āļŋ55.7
15.29%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.59âŽ2.22
$1.58āļŋ51.5
63.92%
Potato(1kg)
$1.63âŽ1.40
$1.32āļŋ43.14
23.48%
Onion(1kg)
$1.61âŽ1.38
$1.17āļŋ38.23
37.61%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.29âŽ1.11
$0.67āļŋ21.98
92.54%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80âŽ0.68
$0.56āļŋ18.32
42.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.58âŽ5.64
$4.53āļŋ148
45.25%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.80âŽ4.11
$18.20āļŋ595
-73.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.60âŽ1.37
$1.83āļŋ60.0
-12.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.54âŽ2.18
$3.23āļŋ106
-21.36%
ð Getting Around
Pontevedra
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.06âŽ1.76
$0.89āļŋ29.00
131.46%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$28.94âŽ24.77
$19.38āļŋ634
49.33%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.44âŽ3.80
$1.35āļŋ44.20
228.89%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.22âŽ1.04
$1.35āļŋ44.05
-9.63%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$20.36âŽ17.42
$8.25āļŋ270
146.79%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.79âŽ1.53
$1.27āļŋ41.64
40.94%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.4KâŽ32.9K
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
81.49%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.6KâŽ25.3K
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
31.59%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pontevedra
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$171âŽ146
$70.2āļŋ2,294
143.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.39âŽ18.31
$13.77āļŋ450
55.34%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$35.28âŽ30.20
$17.60āļŋ575
100.45%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Pontevedra
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$66.9âŽ57.3
$41.57āļŋ1,360
61.01%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.05âŽ19.73
$6.60āļŋ216
249.24%
Cinema Ticket
$9.52âŽ8.15
$5.78āļŋ189
64.71%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Pontevedra
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$292âŽ250
$306āļŋ10.0K
-4.76%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,824âŽ5,841
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
-53.97%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Pontevedra
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$93.5âŽ80.0
$54.4āļŋ1,778
71.88%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.15âŽ30.95
$26.14āļŋ855
38.29%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$90.6âŽ77.6
$84.5āļŋ2,764
7.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106âŽ91.1
$69.4āļŋ2,270
53.25%
ð Accommodation & Living
Pontevedra
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$624âŽ534
$424āļŋ13.9K
47.27%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$520âŽ445
$238āļŋ7,788
118.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$965âŽ826
$825āļŋ27.0K
16.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$745âŽ638
$515āļŋ16.8K
44.58%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,830âŽ2,422
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
38.07%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,613âŽ2,237
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
71.61%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Pontevedra
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,539âŽ1,317
$635āļŋ20.8K
142.29%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.98
5
-20.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Pontevedra: April 28, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $624 in Pontevedra 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.
ð°Salaries run about 142% higher in Pontevedra, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $59.0 in Pontevedra versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $249 vs $243 â making Chiang Mai the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Pontevedra vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Pontevedra or Chiang Mai?
Pontevedra costs about 79% 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 Pontevedra vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,282 per month in Pontevedra and $1,278 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Pontevedra 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 Pontevedra and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $292 per month in Pontevedra 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 Pontevedra or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 2% more in Pontevedra, 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 $1,000/month in Pontevedra or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Pontevedra at $1,521. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Pontevedra it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Pontevedra or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $1,521 in Pontevedra. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Pontevedra 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 Pontevedra or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Pontevedra makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Pontevedra vs other spots: cost of living compared