๐A single person spends $1,044 per month in Rรขศnov vs $848 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $1,550 per month in Rรขศnov vs $1,331 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $2,056 per month in Rรขศnov vs $1,814 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐Rรขศnov costs about 23% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Both Rรขศnov and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median โ Rรขศnov22% lower, Chiang Mai36% lower.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Rรขศnov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.77RONย 39.51
$1.96เธฟ63.6
347.45%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$39.89RONย 180
$18.39เธฟ598
116.91%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.99RONย 35.98
$7.87เธฟ256
1.52%
Cappuccino
$2.30RONย 10.38
$1.95เธฟ63.4
17.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.26RONย 5.67
$0.85เธฟ27.57
48.24%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.15RONย 5.16
$0.32เธฟ10.52
259.37%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.24RONย 10.11
$2.14เธฟ69.6
4.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.77RONย 12.48
$3.68เธฟ120
-24.73%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Rรขศnov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.55RONย 7.00
$1.66เธฟ53.9
-6.63%
White Bread(500g)
$1.21RONย 5.47
$1.56เธฟ50.7
-22.44%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.56RONย 7.04
$1.19เธฟ38.63
31.09%
Eggs
$3.02RONย 13.61
$1.99เธฟ64.7
51.76%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.72RONย 39.25
$16.24เธฟ528
-46.31%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.21RONย 32.46
$3.17เธฟ103
127.44%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.17RONย 54.8
$10.84เธฟ352
12.27%
Apples(1kg)
$0.98RONย 4.41
$2.65เธฟ86.2
-63.02%
Banana(1kg)
$1.37RONย 6.16
$1.22เธฟ39.67
12.30%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.53RONย 6.91
$1.65เธฟ53.7
-7.27%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.02RONย 9.09
$1.55เธฟ50.3
30.32%
Potato(1kg)
$0.94RONย 4.25
$1.33เธฟ43.17
-29.32%
Onion(1kg)
$0.93RONย 4.19
$1.21เธฟ39.43
-23.14%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.74RONย 3.32
$0.68เธฟ22.04
8.82%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.74RONย 3.34
$0.57เธฟ18.38
29.82%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.77RONย 25.97
$4.68เธฟ152
23.29%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.55RONย 34.00
$16.99เธฟ552
-55.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.03RONย 4.65
$1.82เธฟ59.3
-43.41%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.68RONย 7.55
$3.18เธฟ103
-47.17%
๐ Getting Around
Rรขศnov
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.72RONย 3.23
$0.91เธฟ29.46
-20.88%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$20.03RONย 90.2
$18.74เธฟ609
6.88%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.72RONย 3.23
$1.41เธฟ45.80
-48.94%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.65RONย 2.91
$1.34เธฟ43.52
-51.49%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.94RONย 31.23
$8.14เธฟ265
-14.74%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.64RONย 7.38
$1.28เธฟ41.53
28.12%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.1KRONย 126.5K
$21.8Kเธฟ709.3K
28.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.0KRONย 126.2K
$22.4Kเธฟ728.0K
25.14%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rรขศnov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$163RONย 735
$70.5เธฟ2,291
131.70%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.16RONย 36.75
$14.05เธฟ457
-41.92%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.08RONย 40.91
$17.65เธฟ574
-48.56%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Rรขศnov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.07RONย 189
$41.29เธฟ1,342
1.89%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.43RONย 87.5
$6.76เธฟ220
187.43%
Cinema Ticket
$5.72RONย 25.74
$5.96เธฟ194
-4.03%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Rรขศnov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$450RONย 2,025
$303เธฟ9,846
48.44%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,496RONย 29.3K
$15.0Kเธฟ486.2K
-56.57%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Rรขศnov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$72.2RONย 325
$54.7เธฟ1,778
32.05%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.27RONย 190
$26.29เธฟ854
60.78%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$95.0RONย 428
$85.8เธฟ2,788
10.77%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$79.9RONย 360
$69.7เธฟ2,265
14.62%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Rรขศnov
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$387RONย 1,743
$428เธฟ13.9K
-9.61%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$285RONย 1,283
$239เธฟ7,769
19.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$577RONย 2,598
$811เธฟ26.4K
-28.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$440RONย 1,983
$510เธฟ16.6K
-13.59%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,903RONย 8,572
$2,025เธฟ65.8K
-6.03%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,373RONย 6,182
$1,502เธฟ48.8K
-8.62%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Rรขศnov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$623เธฟ20.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.7
5
54.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Rรขศnov: June 16, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: June 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $387 in Rรขศnov versus $428 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.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $40.00 in Rรขศnov versus $18.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story โ $214 in Rรขศnov vs $242 in Chiang Mai โ so Rรขศnov 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
Rรขศnov vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Rรขศnov or Chiang Mai?
Rรขศnov costs about 23% 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 Rรขศnov vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,566 per month in Rรขศnov and $1,272 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Rรขศnov 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 Rรขศnov and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $450 per month in Rรขศnov and $303 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 Rรขศnov or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 13% cheaper in Rรขศnov โ 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 Rรขศnov or Chiang Mai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably โ all-in costs are $1,044 in Rรขศnov and $848 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Rรขศnov or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $848 versus $1,044 in Rรขศnov. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Rรขศnov 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 โ central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Rรขศnov or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Rรขศnov makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.