😐A single person spends $1,058 per month in Sannicolau Mare vs $947 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,623 per month in Sannicolau Mare vs $1,411 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,187 per month in Sannicolau Mare vs $1,874 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐Sannicolau Mare costs about 12% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Sannicolau Mare and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Sannicolau Mare23% lower, Chiang Mai31% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sannicolau Mare
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.64RON 39.01
$2.08฿68.6
315.38%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.82RON 198
$19.64฿646
123.12%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.79RON 35.21
$5.65฿186
37.88%
Cappuccino
$3.29RON 14.84
$1.81฿59.4
81.77%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.19RON 9.92
$0.71฿23.46
208.45%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.94RON 8.78
$0.32฿10.39
506.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.25RON 14.67
$2.24฿73.6
45.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.96RON 17.91
$3.63฿120
9.09%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sannicolau Mare
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.45RON 6.55
$1.96฿64.4
-26.02%
White Bread(500g)
$1.14RON 5.13
$1.50฿49.42
-24.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.45RON 6.57
$1.34฿43.96
8.21%
Eggs
$3.58RON 16.19
$2.26฿74.5
58.41%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.37RON 37.80
$16.26฿535
-48.52%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.24RON 28.19
$2.95฿97.2
111.53%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.58RON 38.76
$9.94฿327
-13.68%
Apples(1kg)
$1.27RON 5.73
$2.57฿84.6
-50.58%
Banana(1kg)
$1.65RON 7.45
$1.06฿34.75
55.66%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.58RON 7.12
$1.61฿53.0
-1.86%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.74RON 12.40
$1.52฿50.0
80.26%
Potato(1kg)
$0.69RON 3.12
$1.27฿41.80
-45.67%
Onion(1kg)
$0.69RON 3.10
$1.07฿35.09
-35.51%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.08RON 4.90
$0.72฿23.70
50.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.98RON 4.43
$0.51฿16.73
92.16%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.30RON 28.45
$4.19฿138
50.36%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.19RON 37.00
$17.87฿588
-54.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.98RON 4.43
$1.69฿55.7
-42.01%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.40RON 6.32
$2.84฿93.3
-50.70%
🚌 Getting Around
Sannicolau Mare
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.81RON 3.65
$0.93฿30.45
-12.90%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$22.66RON 102
$53.9฿1,772
-57.93%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.97RON 4.39
$1.23฿40.61
-21.14%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.92RON 4.14
$0.58฿18.97
58.62%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.06RON 40.95
$2.42฿79.8
274.38%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.83RON 8.25
$1.41฿46.46
29.79%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.5KRON 133.5K
$21.4K฿705.5K
37.78%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7KRON 120.8K
$27.3K฿899.3K
-2.22%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sannicolau Mare
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$120RON 540
$63.7฿2,095
87.73%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.39RON 42.41
$12.85฿423
-26.93%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.05RON 58.9
$20.22฿665
-35.46%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sannicolau Mare
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.84RON 180
$38.74฿1,275
2.84%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.53RON 97.3
$3.97฿130
442.32%
Cinema Ticket
$7.27RON 32.83
$6.74฿222
7.86%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sannicolau Mare
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$457RON 2,067
$778฿25.6K
-41.20%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,983RON 31.5K
$14.6K฿480.7K
-52.20%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sannicolau Mare
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$75.5RON 341
$54.3฿1,786
39.14%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.21RON 141
$25.45฿837
22.63%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$91.9RON 415
$94.3฿3,104
-2.58%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$89.8RON 406
$73.4฿2,416
22.26%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sannicolau Mare
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$402RON 1,817
$490฿16.1K
-17.86%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$301RON 1,358
$289฿9,518
3.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$623RON 2,816
$894฿29.4K
-30.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$463RON 2,092
$517฿17.0K
-10.46%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,907RON 8,617
$1,955฿64.3K
-2.44%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,377RON 6,221
$1,477฿48.6K
-6.77%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sannicolau Mare
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$602฿19.8K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.02
5.57
26.03%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sannicolau Mare: August 30, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $402 in Sannicolau Mare 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.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $44.00 in Sannicolau Mare versus $20.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $208 in Sannicolau Mare vs $240 in Chiang Mai – so Sannicolau Mare 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
Sannicolau Mare vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Sannicolau Mare or Chiang Mai?
Sannicolau Mare costs about 12% 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 Sannicolau Mare and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,587 per month in Sannicolau Mare and $1,421 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Sannicolau Mare 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 Sannicolau Mare and in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $457 per month in Sannicolau Mare and $778 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 Sannicolau Mare or in Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 16% cheaper in Sannicolau Mare – 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 Sannicolau Mare or in Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $947, than in Sannicolau Mare at $1,058. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Sannicolau Mare it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Sannicolau Mare or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $947 versus $1,058 in Sannicolau Mare. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Sannicolau Mare 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 Sannicolau Mare or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Sannicolau Mare makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Sannicolau Mare vs other spots: cost of living compared