πA single person spends $1,085 per month in Sakarya vs $869 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,643 per month in Sakarya vs $1,362 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,201 per month in Sakarya vs $1,855 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πSakarya costs about 25% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Sakarya and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median β Sakarya19% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Sakarya
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.53βΊ348
$1.98ΰΈΏ64.3
280.30%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$26.78βΊ1,239
$18.80ΰΈΏ612
42.45%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.53βΊ348
$7.75ΰΈΏ252
-2.84%
Cappuccino
$3.15βΊ146
$1.92ΰΈΏ62.5
64.06%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.36βΊ62.7
$0.79ΰΈΏ25.79
72.15%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.53βΊ24.52
$0.36ΰΈΏ11.62
47.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.86βΊ225
$2.21ΰΈΏ72.1
119.91%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.18βΊ286
$3.66ΰΈΏ119
68.85%
π Groceries & Markets
Sakarya
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.78βΊ35.99
$1.65ΰΈΏ53.8
-52.73%
White Bread(500g)
$0.73βΊ33.87
$1.63ΰΈΏ53.2
-55.21%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.80βΊ130
$1.19ΰΈΏ38.86
135.29%
Eggs
$1.91βΊ88.5
$2.00ΰΈΏ65.1
-4.50%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.78βΊ360
$15.98ΰΈΏ520
-51.31%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.58βΊ166
$3.03ΰΈΏ98.5
18.15%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.02βΊ695
$10.86ΰΈΏ354
38.31%
Apples(1kg)
$1.55βΊ71.9
$2.76ΰΈΏ90.0
-43.84%
Banana(1kg)
$2.75βΊ127
$1.18ΰΈΏ38.42
133.05%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.86βΊ39.95
$1.64ΰΈΏ53.5
-47.56%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.29βΊ59.6
$1.52ΰΈΏ49.51
-15.13%
Potato(1kg)
$0.52βΊ24.25
$1.38ΰΈΏ45.10
-62.32%
Onion(1kg)
$0.58βΊ26.93
$1.19ΰΈΏ38.84
-51.26%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.86βΊ39.61
$0.70ΰΈΏ22.86
22.86%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53βΊ24.68
$0.56ΰΈΏ18.13
-5.36%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.34βΊ108
$4.58ΰΈΏ149
-48.91%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.57βΊ628
$16.56ΰΈΏ539
-18.06%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.64βΊ122
$1.83ΰΈΏ59.5
44.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.31βΊ153
$3.20ΰΈΏ104
3.44%
π Getting Around
Sakarya
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.67βΊ31.19
$0.88ΰΈΏ28.56
-23.86%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$30.23βΊ1,398
$18.72ΰΈΏ610
61.49%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.10βΊ97.2
$1.36ΰΈΏ44.16
54.41%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.34ΰΈΏ43.65
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.60βΊ352
$7.84ΰΈΏ256
-3.06%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.19βΊ55.1
$1.23ΰΈΏ39.92
-3.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$46.3KβΊ2.1M
$21.6KΰΈΏ704.3K
114.29%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$47.6KβΊ2.2M
$22.5KΰΈΏ734.3K
111.22%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sakarya
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$41.20βΊ1,906
$70.5ΰΈΏ2,298
-41.59%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.93βΊ691
$13.68ΰΈΏ445
9.14%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.66βΊ539
$17.45ΰΈΏ568
-33.18%
π Sport & Entertainment
Sakarya
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$34.25βΊ1,584
$41.33ΰΈΏ1,346
-17.13%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.67βΊ586
$6.96ΰΈΏ227
82.04%
Cinema Ticket
$4.94βΊ229
$5.77ΰΈΏ188
-14.38%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Sakarya
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$662βΊ30.6K
$307ΰΈΏ10.0K
115.67%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,774βΊ359.6K
$14.6KΰΈΏ475.9K
-46.79%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Sakarya
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.0βΊ2,406
$55.8ΰΈΏ1,817
-6.78%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$74.0βΊ3,423
$26.21ΰΈΏ854
182.30%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$116βΊ5,380
$85.8ΰΈΏ2,793
35.63%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$91.0βΊ4,211
$72.2ΰΈΏ2,353
26.00%
π Accommodation & Living
Sakarya
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$508βΊ23.5K
$430ΰΈΏ14.0K
18.11%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$395βΊ18.3K
$239ΰΈΏ7,774
65.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$903βΊ41.8K
$817ΰΈΏ26.6K
10.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$711βΊ32.9K
$511ΰΈΏ16.6K
39.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,321βΊ61.1K
$1,983ΰΈΏ64.6K
-33.38%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$713βΊ33.0K
$1,484ΰΈΏ48.3K
-51.97%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Sakarya
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$959βΊ44.4K
$619ΰΈΏ20.2K
55.02%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
36.83
5
636.60%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sakarya: June 7, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $508 in Sakarya 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.
π°Salaries run about 55% higher in Sakarya, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $27.00 in Sakarya versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story β $214 in Sakarya vs $241 in Chiang Mai β so Sakarya 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
Sakarya vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Sakarya or Chiang Mai?
Sakarya costs about 25% 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 Sakarya vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,627 per month in Sakarya and $1,303 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Sakarya 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 Sakarya and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $662 per month in Sakarya 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 Sakarya or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 13% cheaper in Sakarya β 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 Sakarya or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $869, than in Sakarya at $1,085. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Sakarya it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Sakarya or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $869 versus $1,085 in Sakarya. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Sakarya 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 β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Sakarya or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Sakarya makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.