ðA single person spends $1,933 per month in Sabadell vs $872 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $2,666 per month in Sabadell vs $1,337 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $3,398 per month in Sabadell vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðSabadell costs about 122% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðSabadell sits 43% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 35% below â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Sabadell
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.69âŽ15.05
$2.01āļŋ64.5
780.10%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$58.8âŽ50.0
$18.23āļŋ584
222.38%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.53âŽ8.96
$7.65āļŋ245
37.65%
Cappuccino
$2.43âŽ2.07
$1.92āļŋ61.5
26.56%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48âŽ2.11
$0.84āļŋ26.97
195.24%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.71âŽ1.46
$0.36āļŋ11.42
375.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.48âŽ2.96
$2.19āļŋ70.2
58.90%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.54âŽ3.02
$3.79āļŋ121
-6.60%
ð Groceries & Markets
Sabadell
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.21âŽ1.03
$1.64āļŋ52.5
-26.22%
White Bread(500g)
$2.01âŽ1.71
$1.62āļŋ52.0
24.07%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.68âŽ1.43
$1.15āļŋ36.98
46.09%
Eggs
$2.86âŽ2.43
$1.94āļŋ62.2
47.42%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.12âŽ12.02
$15.94āļŋ511
-11.42%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.43âŽ8.03
$3.10āļŋ99.5
204.19%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.05âŽ16.21
$11.07āļŋ355
72.09%
Apples(1kg)
$2.64âŽ2.25
$2.71āļŋ86.8
-2.58%
Banana(1kg)
$2.39âŽ2.03
$1.18āļŋ37.80
102.54%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.64âŽ2.25
$1.71āļŋ54.7
54.39%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.80âŽ2.39
$1.61āļŋ51.5
73.91%
Potato(1kg)
$1.45âŽ1.23
$1.39āļŋ44.66
4.32%
Onion(1kg)
$1.80âŽ1.53
$1.15āļŋ36.81
56.52%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.55âŽ1.32
$0.71āļŋ22.83
118.31%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.71âŽ0.61
$0.55āļŋ17.65
29.09%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.78âŽ5.77
$4.57āļŋ146
48.36%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.96âŽ5.07
$18.87āļŋ605
-68.42%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.44âŽ1.22
$1.82āļŋ58.4
-20.88%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12âŽ1.81
$3.21āļŋ103
-33.96%
ð Getting Around
Sabadell
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.18âŽ1.85
$0.88āļŋ28.24
147.73%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$27.55âŽ23.44
$18.89āļŋ606
45.84%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.49âŽ2.97
$1.41āļŋ45.30
147.52%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.93âŽ0.79
$1.30āļŋ41.71
-28.46%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$23.47âŽ19.97
$8.20āļŋ263
186.22%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.83âŽ1.56
$1.23āļŋ39.29
48.78%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.0KâŽ32.3K
$21.2Kāļŋ678.9K
79.26%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.7KâŽ25.3K
$22.3Kāļŋ715.3K
33.24%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sabadell
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$150âŽ127
$69.9āļŋ2,240
114.01%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.53âŽ17.47
$14.07āļŋ451
45.91%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.63âŽ32.02
$17.70āļŋ567
112.60%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Sabadell
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$34.17âŽ29.07
$41.41āļŋ1,328
-17.48%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.69âŽ7.40
$6.69āļŋ215
29.90%
Cinema Ticket
$9.18âŽ7.81
$5.74āļŋ184
59.93%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Sabadell
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$531âŽ452
$299āļŋ9,593
77.63%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,572âŽ7,295
$15.0Kāļŋ481.2K
-42.89%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Sabadell
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$87.3âŽ74.3
$54.8āļŋ1,758
59.30%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.29âŽ29.18
$26.35āļŋ845
30.13%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$105âŽ89.4
$84.7āļŋ2,714
24.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$99.2âŽ84.4
$69.7āļŋ2,236
42.19%
ð Accommodation & Living
Sabadell
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,028âŽ875
$427āļŋ13.7K
140.75%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$918âŽ781
$241āļŋ7,718
281.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,456âŽ1,239
$811āļŋ26.0K
79.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,106âŽ941
$498āļŋ16.0K
121.91%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,697âŽ3,146
$2,022āļŋ64.8K
82.81%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,725âŽ2,319
$1,524āļŋ48.9K
78.86%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Sabadell
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,234âŽ1,901
$639āļŋ20.5K
249.52%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.39
5
-32.20%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sabadell: April 13, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $1,028 in Sabadell versus $427 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 250% higher in Sabadell, 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 in Sabadell versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $295 vs $246 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
Sabadell vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Sabadell or Chiang Mai?
Sabadell costs about 122% 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 Sabadell vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,899 per month in Sabadell and $1,308 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Sabadell 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 Sabadell and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $531 per month in Sabadell and $299 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 Sabadell or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 20% more in Sabadell, 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 Sabadell or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $872, than in Sabadell at $1,933. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Sabadell it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Sabadell or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $872 versus $1,933 in Sabadell. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Sabadell 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 Sabadell or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Sabadell makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.