😐A single person spends $1,043 per month in Sannicolau Mare vs $866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,581 per month in Sannicolau Mare vs $1,351 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,119 per month in Sannicolau Mare vs $1,835 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐Sannicolau Mare costs about 20% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Sannicolau Mare and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Sannicolau Mare22% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sannicolau Mare
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.30RON 42.35
$1.94฿63.8
379.38%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.80RON 213
$18.64฿611
151.07%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.97RON 31.72
$7.82฿256
-10.87%
Cappuccino
$3.17RON 14.43
$1.95฿64.1
62.56%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97RON 8.97
$0.85฿27.90
131.76%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.71RON 7.78
$0.35฿11.64
388.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.74RON 12.46
$2.13฿69.9
28.64%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.38RON 15.40
$3.73฿122
-9.38%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sannicolau Mare
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.49RON 6.79
$1.71฿56.2
-12.87%
White Bread(500g)
$1.25RON 5.69
$1.63฿53.4
-23.31%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.54RON 7.02
$1.14฿37.32
35.09%
Eggs
$3.29RON 14.96
$1.93฿63.4
70.47%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.07RON 36.72
$16.21฿532
-50.22%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.12RON 27.87
$3.12฿102
96.15%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.78RON 39.98
$10.90฿357
-19.45%
Apples(1kg)
$1.16RON 5.27
$2.75฿90.4
-57.82%
Banana(1kg)
$1.57RON 7.13
$1.21฿39.70
29.75%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.66RON 7.55
$1.62฿53.2
2.47%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.12RON 9.67
$1.59฿52.1
33.33%
Potato(1kg)
$0.77RON 3.52
$1.40฿45.91
-45.00%
Onion(1kg)
$0.87RON 3.98
$1.17฿38.34
-25.64%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.02RON 4.65
$0.66฿21.70
54.55%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.86RON 3.93
$0.53฿17.30
62.26%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.86RON 26.70
$4.69฿154
24.95%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.46RON 38.52
$18.66฿612
-54.66%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.99RON 4.52
$1.80฿59.0
-45.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.77RON 8.04
$3.23฿106
-45.20%
🚌 Getting Around
Sannicolau Mare
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.66RON 3.00
$0.90฿29.39
-26.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.87RON 90.5
$19.21฿630
3.44%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.91RON 4.14
$1.41฿46.13
-35.46%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.86RON 3.90
$1.29฿42.31
-33.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.40RON 42.78
$7.84฿257
19.90%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.66RON 7.55
$1.27฿41.77
30.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.0KRON 127.3K
$21.3K฿698.1K
31.43%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7KRON 121.7K
$22.2K฿728.8K
20.31%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sannicolau Mare
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$143RON 650
$69.1฿2,266
106.86%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.67RON 39.47
$14.08฿462
-38.42%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.22RON 51.1
$18.00฿591
-37.67%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sannicolau Mare
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$40.78RON 186
$41.06฿1,347
-0.68%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.14RON 87.1
$6.96฿228
175.00%
Cinema Ticket
$6.74RON 30.67
$5.92฿194
13.85%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sannicolau Mare
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$432RON 1,969
$299฿9,811
44.62%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,937RON 31.6K
$15.0K฿490.6K
-53.61%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sannicolau Mare
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$68.3RON 311
$54.7฿1,795
24.94%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.90RON 177
$26.77฿878
45.31%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$82.9RON 377
$85.0฿2,788
-2.52%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$93.7RON 426
$70.6฿2,316
32.68%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sannicolau Mare
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$390RON 1,777
$428฿14.0K
-8.84%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$289RON 1,316
$237฿7,787
21.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$579RON 2,635
$801฿26.3K
-27.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$430RON 1,958
$515฿16.9K
-16.56%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,713RON 7,797
$1,975฿64.8K
-13.26%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,336RON 6,084
$1,475฿48.4K
-9.40%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sannicolau Mare
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$617฿20.3K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.5
5
30.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sannicolau Mare: May 30, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $390 in Sannicolau Mare versus $428 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 $47.00 in Sannicolau Mare versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $204 in Sannicolau Mare vs $246 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 20% 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 vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,565 per month in Sannicolau Mare and $1,300 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 Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $432 per month in Sannicolau Mare 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 Sannicolau Mare or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 21% 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 $800/month in Sannicolau Mare or Chiang Mai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $1,043 in Sannicolau Mare and $866 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Sannicolau Mare or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $866 versus $1,043 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 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