๐A single person spends $1,037 per month in Rรขศnov vs $869 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $1,576 per month in Rรขศnov vs $1,362 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $2,114 per month in Rรขศnov vs $1,855 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐Rรขศnov costs about 19% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Both Rรขศnov and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median โ Rรขศnov23% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Rรขศnov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.57RONย 38.76
$1.98เธฟ64.3
332.83%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$40.40RONย 183
$18.80เธฟ612
114.89%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.05RONย 36.40
$7.75เธฟ252
3.87%
Cappuccino
$2.31RONย 10.46
$1.92เธฟ62.5
20.31%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.33RONย 6.00
$0.79เธฟ25.79
68.35%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.15RONย 5.22
$0.36เธฟ11.62
219.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.16RONย 9.76
$2.21เธฟ72.1
-2.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.83RONย 12.80
$3.66เธฟ119
-22.68%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Rรขศnov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.52RONย 6.88
$1.65เธฟ53.8
-7.88%
White Bread(500g)
$1.17RONย 5.31
$1.63เธฟ53.2
-28.22%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.57RONย 7.10
$1.19เธฟ38.86
31.93%
Eggs
$3.02RONย 13.65
$2.00เธฟ65.1
51.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.47RONย 38.33
$15.98เธฟ520
-47.00%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.98RONย 31.59
$3.03เธฟ98.5
130.36%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.85RONย 53.6
$10.86เธฟ354
9.12%
Apples(1kg)
$1.01RONย 4.57
$2.76เธฟ90.0
-63.41%
Banana(1kg)
$1.36RONย 6.16
$1.18เธฟ38.42
15.25%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.52RONย 6.89
$1.64เธฟ53.5
-7.32%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.95RONย 8.80
$1.52เธฟ49.51
28.29%
Potato(1kg)
$0.90RONย 4.07
$1.38เธฟ45.10
-34.78%
Onion(1kg)
$0.92RONย 4.15
$1.19เธฟ38.84
-22.69%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.76RONย 3.42
$0.70เธฟ22.86
8.57%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.80RONย 3.63
$0.56เธฟ18.13
42.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.04RONย 27.31
$4.58เธฟ149
31.88%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.50RONย 33.93
$16.56เธฟ539
-54.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.07RONย 4.85
$1.83เธฟ59.5
-41.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.69RONย 7.63
$3.20เธฟ104
-47.19%
๐ Getting Around
Rรขศnov
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.67RONย 3.05
$0.88เธฟ28.56
-23.86%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.81RONย 89.6
$18.72เธฟ610
5.82%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.71RONย 3.20
$1.36เธฟ44.16
-47.79%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.61RONย 2.75
$1.34เธฟ43.65
-54.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.80RONย 30.75
$7.84เธฟ256
-13.27%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.63RONย 7.36
$1.23เธฟ39.92
32.52%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.7KRONย 125.2K
$21.6Kเธฟ704.3K
27.99%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.6KRONย 124.7K
$22.5Kเธฟ734.3K
22.28%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rรขศnov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$168RONย 758
$70.5เธฟ2,298
137.64%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.27RONย 37.39
$13.68เธฟ445
-39.55%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.12RONย 41.24
$17.45เธฟ568
-47.74%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Rรขศnov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.59RONย 188
$41.33เธฟ1,346
0.63%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.03RONย 86.1
$6.96เธฟ227
173.42%
Cinema Ticket
$5.90RONย 26.68
$5.77เธฟ188
2.25%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Rรขศnov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$445RONย 2,013
$307เธฟ10.0K
44.93%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,566RONย 29.7K
$14.6Kเธฟ475.9K
-55.06%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Rรขศnov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$72.5RONย 328
$55.8เธฟ1,817
29.95%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.20RONย 191
$26.21เธฟ854
61.01%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$97.0RONย 439
$85.8เธฟ2,793
13.06%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$79.1RONย 358
$72.2เธฟ2,353
9.43%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Rรขศnov
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$392RONย 1,773
$430เธฟ14.0K
-8.77%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$286RONย 1,294
$239เธฟ7,774
19.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$595RONย 2,693
$817เธฟ26.6K
-27.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$441RONย 1,994
$511เธฟ16.6K
-13.70%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,938RONย 8,766
$1,983เธฟ64.6K
-2.28%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,395RONย 6,309
$1,484เธฟ48.3K
-6.02%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Rรขศnov
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$619เธฟ20.2K
-
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 8, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $392 in Rรขศnov versus $430 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 $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story โ $211 in Rรขศnov vs $241 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 19% 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 $1,555 per month in Rรขศnov and $1,303 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 $445 per month in Rรขศnov and $307 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 14% 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 $1,000/month in Rรขศnov or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $869, than in Rรขศnov at $1,037. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Rรขศnov it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Rรขศnov or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $869 versus $1,037 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.