๐A single person spends $970 per month in Salekhard vs $845 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $1,495 per month in Salekhard vs $1,323 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $2,020 per month in Salekhard vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐Salekhard costs about 15% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Both Salekhard and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median โ Salekhard28% lower, Chiang Mai37% lower.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Salekhard
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.37โฝ703
$1.95เธฟ62.8
380.51%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.37โฝ2,879
$18.43เธฟ594
108.19%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.58โฝ419
$7.50เธฟ241
-25.60%
Cappuccino
$2.34โฝ176
$1.93เธฟ62.3
21.24%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.12โฝ84.4
$0.78เธฟ25.08
43.59%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52โฝ39.33
$0.32เธฟ10.42
62.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.36โฝ102
$2.15เธฟ69.2
-36.74%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.57โฝ193
$3.71เธฟ120
-30.73%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Salekhard
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.14โฝ85.8
$1.71เธฟ55.2
-33.33%
White Bread(500g)
$0.70โฝ52.5
$1.56เธฟ50.3
-55.13%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.36โฝ102
$1.18เธฟ38.06
15.25%
Eggs
$1.73โฝ130
$1.98เธฟ63.9
-12.63%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.66โฝ800
$16.04เธฟ517
-33.54%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.85โฝ364
$3.17เธฟ102
53.00%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.69โฝ652
$10.94เธฟ353
-20.57%
Apples(1kg)
$1.76โฝ132
$2.63เธฟ84.7
-33.08%
Banana(1kg)
$1.87โฝ140
$1.17เธฟ37.61
59.83%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.93โฝ145
$1.65เธฟ53.0
16.97%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.68โฝ201
$1.54เธฟ49.51
74.03%
Potato(1kg)
$0.83โฝ62.4
$1.38เธฟ44.34
-39.86%
Onion(1kg)
$0.70โฝ52.8
$1.17เธฟ37.54
-40.17%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.35โฝ101
$0.66เธฟ21.25
104.55%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.68โฝ50.7
$0.51เธฟ16.55
33.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.99โฝ225
$4.52เธฟ146
-33.85%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.63โฝ573
$18.32เธฟ590
-58.35%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.94โฝ70.3
$1.80เธฟ57.9
-47.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.87โฝ140
$3.18เธฟ102
-41.19%
๐ Getting Around
Salekhard
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.52โฝ39.10
$0.90เธฟ28.97
-42.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$19.00เธฟ612
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.92โฝ144
$1.41เธฟ45.50
36.17%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.32โฝ24.34
$1.31เธฟ42.15
-75.57%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.19โฝ465
$8.09เธฟ261
-23.49%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.74โฝ55.5
$1.28เธฟ41.08
-42.19%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.7Kโฝ2.5M
$21.3Kเธฟ686.1K
58.45%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.6Kโฝ2.7M
$21.7Kเธฟ699.3K
64.02%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Salekhard
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$109โฝ8,201
$69.2เธฟ2,230
57.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.87โฝ441
$13.97เธฟ450
-57.98%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.64โฝ573
$17.95เธฟ578
-57.44%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Salekhard
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$36.23โฝ2,719
$42.31เธฟ1,363
-14.37%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.66เธฟ214
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.23โฝ392
$5.92เธฟ191
-11.66%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Salekhard
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$326โฝ24.5K
$299เธฟ9,640
8.94%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,123โฝ534.5K
$14.8Kเธฟ478.4K
-52.03%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Salekhard
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.8โฝ5,315
$56.2เธฟ1,810
26.05%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.53โฝ3,342
$26.94เธฟ868
65.29%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$112โฝ8,408
$84.9เธฟ2,735
32.03%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108โฝ8,140
$71.8เธฟ2,314
51.02%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Salekhard
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$452โฝ33.9K
$435เธฟ14.0K
3.89%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$303โฝ22.7K
$240เธฟ7,727
26.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$774โฝ58.1K
$798เธฟ25.7K
-3.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$507โฝ38.1K
$498เธฟ16.1K
1.74%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,053โฝ154.0K
$1,995เธฟ64.3K
2.87%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,486โฝ111.5K
$1,532เธฟ49.4K
-2.96%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Salekhard
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$792โฝ59.5K
$628เธฟ20.2K
26.13%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
15.33
5
206.60%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Salekhard: April 21, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $452 in Salekhard versus $435 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.
๐ฐSalaries run about 26% higher in Salekhard, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $38 in Salekhard versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story โ $195 in Salekhard vs $244 in Chiang Mai โ so Salekhard wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated March 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Salekhard vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Salekhard or Chiang Mai?
Salekhard costs about 15% 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 Salekhard vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,454 per month in Salekhard and $1,267 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Salekhard 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 dining costs compare in Salekhard vs Chiang Mai?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $38.00 in Salekhard and $18.00 in Chiang Mai. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and cafรฉ pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Salekhard or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 25% cheaper in Salekhard 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 Salekhard or Chiang Mai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably โ all-in costs are $970 in Salekhard and $845 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Salekhard or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $845 versus $970 in Salekhard. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Salekhard 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 Salekhard or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Salekhard makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.