Cost of Living Comparison Between Rustavi and Chiang Mai Cost of Living Comparison Between Rustavi and Chiang Mai

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $842 per month in Rustavi vs $932 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,249 per month in Rustavi vs $1,399 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,655 per month in Rustavi vs $1,866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Rustavi is about 10% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Rustavi and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Rustavi 38% lower, Chiang Mai 32% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Rustavi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.15 ₾26.38
$2.08 ฿69.3
387.98%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.41 ₾79.0
$19.61 ฿653
55.07%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.75 ₾27.91
$5.67 ฿189
89.59%
Cappuccino
$2.02 ₾5.24
$1.81 ฿60.1
11.60%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.75 ₾1.95
$0.77 ฿25.58
-2.60%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.55 ₾1.44
$0.35 ฿11.49
57.14%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.27 ₾3.30
$2.21 ฿73.7
-42.53%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97 ₾5.12
$3.79 ฿126
-48.02%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Rustavi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.74 ₾4.53
$2.05 ฿68.2
-15.12%
White Bread (500g)
$0.51 ₾1.32
$1.51 ฿50.4
-66.23%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.26 ₾3.28
$1.40 ฿46.57
-10.00%
Eggs
$2.31 ₾6.01
$2.26 ฿75.2
2.21%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.12 ₾15.89
$16.19 ฿539
-62.20%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.80 ₾12.46
$2.90 ฿96.4
65.52%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.80 ₾25.45
$9.42 ฿314
4.03%
Apples (1kg)
$0.99 ₾2.56
$2.68 ฿89.2
-63.06%
Banana (1kg)
$1.52 ₾3.96
$1.09 ฿36.28
39.45%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.58 ₾4.09
$1.62 ฿53.8
-2.47%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.07 ₾2.79
$1.46 ฿48.61
-26.71%
Potato (1kg)
$0.73 ₾1.90
$1.28 ฿42.54
-42.97%
Onion (1kg)
$0.65 ₾1.68
$1.06 ฿35.21
-38.68%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.23 ₾3.19
$0.72 ฿23.88
70.83%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.68 ₾1.76
$0.53 ฿17.51
28.30%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.17 ₾8.25
$4.23 ฿141
-25.06%
Wine (Bottle)
$3.87 ₾10.06
$18.29 ฿609
-78.84%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.60 ₾4.16
$1.63 ฿54.3
-1.84%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.60 ₾6.75
$2.90 ฿96.6
-10.34%
🚌 Getting Around
Rustavi
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.34 ₾0.88
$0.88 ฿29.24
-61.36%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$11.34 ₾29.45
$53.8 ฿1,790
-78.91%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.76 ₾1.97
$1.17 ฿39.04
-35.04%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.37 ₾0.95
$0.58 ฿19.25
-36.21%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.75 ₾9.75
$2.39 ฿79.4
56.90%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.27 ₾3.31
$1.45 ฿48.28
-12.41%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.8K ₾59.3K
$21.0K ฿699.5K
8.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$9,543 ₾24.8K
$26.4K ฿879.7K
-63.89%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rustavi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$78.0 ₾203
$63.7 ฿2,119
22.55%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.66 ₾19.89
$12.89 ฿429
-40.57%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.38 ₾29.57
$20.52 ฿683
-44.54%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Rustavi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$26.85 ₾69.7
$39.02 ฿1,299
-31.19%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.55 ₾50.8
$3.92 ฿130
398.72%
Cinema Ticket
$4.86 ₾12.62
$6.58 ฿219
-26.14%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Rustavi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$127 ₾331
$784 ฿26.1K
-83.74%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,706 ₾7,029
$14.7K ฿488.4K
-81.56%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Rustavi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.4 ₾144
$55.1 ฿1,835
0.45%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.08 ₾104
$24.74 ฿824
62.00%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$97.3 ₾253
$94.1 ฿3,133
3.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$87.5 ₾227
$74.0 ฿2,462
18.35%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Rustavi
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$264 ₾686
$490 ฿16.3K
-46.14%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$251 ₾653
$288 ฿9,594
-12.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$462 ₾1,200
$891 ฿29.7K
-48.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$310 ₾805
$521 ฿17.3K
-40.56%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,062 ₾2,759
$1,974 ฿65.7K
-46.18%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$780 ₾2,027
$1,444 ฿48.1K
-45.97%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Rustavi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$443 ₾1,151
$602 ฿20.0K
-26.36%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13
5.57
133.39%

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

Last update for Rustavi: September 13, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $264 in Rustavi 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 36% higher in Chiang Mai, 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 $30.00 in Rustavi versus $20.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $172 in Rustavi vs $241 in Chiang Mai – so Rustavi 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
Rustavi vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Rustavi or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 11% more than Rustavi, 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 Rustavi and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,264 per month in Rustavi and $1,398 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Rustavi or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Rustavi, 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 Rustavi and in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $127 per month in Rustavi and $784 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 Rustavi or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 40% more in Chiang Mai, 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 $2,000/month in Rustavi or in Chiang Mai?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Rustavi, where all-in costs run around $842, than in Chiang Mai at $932. In Rustavi it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Rustavi or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Rustavi costs $842 versus $932 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Rustavi 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 Rustavi or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Rustavi. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chiang Mai makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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