😐A single person spends $1,024 per month in Sannicolau Mare vs $847 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,554 per month in Sannicolau Mare vs $1,332 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,084 per month in Sannicolau Mare vs $1,816 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐Sannicolau Mare costs about 21% 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 Mai37% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sannicolau Mare
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.43RON 43.28
$2.03฿68.5
364.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$45.17RON 207
$18.71฿631
141.42%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.98RON 32.01
$7.84฿265
-10.97%
Cappuccino
$3.16RON 14.51
$1.93฿65.0
63.73%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99RON 9.11
$0.83฿28.05
139.76%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.74RON 7.97
$0.35฿11.82
397.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.70RON 12.37
$2.22฿74.9
21.62%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.53RON 16.18
$3.79฿128
-6.86%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sannicolau Mare
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.44RON 6.59
$1.65฿55.5
-12.73%
White Bread(500g)
$1.21RON 5.54
$1.55฿52.4
-21.94%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.53RON 7.04
$1.18฿39.86
29.66%
Eggs
$3.23RON 14.83
$2.01฿68.0
60.70%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.97RON 36.56
$16.16฿545
-50.68%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.14RON 28.18
$3.03฿102
102.64%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.73RON 40.06
$10.84฿366
-19.46%
Apples(1kg)
$1.22RON 5.59
$2.68฿90.4
-54.48%
Banana(1kg)
$1.51RON 6.91
$1.22฿41.21
23.77%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.73RON 7.95
$1.63฿54.9
6.13%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.11RON 9.66
$1.53฿51.6
37.91%
Potato(1kg)
$0.81RON 3.73
$1.34฿45.18
-39.55%
Onion(1kg)
$0.87RON 4.00
$1.21฿40.93
-28.10%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.02RON 4.69
$0.70฿23.67
45.71%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.87RON 4.01
$0.53฿17.73
64.15%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.95RON 27.29
$4.69฿158
26.87%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.38RON 38.46
$17.71฿598
-52.68%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.99RON 4.55
$1.85฿62.3
-46.49%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.85RON 8.49
$3.21฿108
-42.37%
🚌 Getting Around
Sannicolau Mare
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.72RON 3.29
$0.89฿30.07
-19.10%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$20.16RON 92.5
$18.76฿633
7.46%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.94RON 4.29
$1.41฿47.48
-33.33%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.88RON 4.02
$1.29฿43.59
-31.78%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.25RON 42.44
$7.79฿263
18.74%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.65RON 7.56
$1.29฿43.67
27.91%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.0KRON 128.5K
$21.8K฿734.7K
28.72%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KRON 121.6K
$21.7K฿732.1K
22.25%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sannicolau Mare
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$143RON 655
$70.0฿2,362
104.19%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.76RON 40.20
$14.19฿479
-38.27%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.44RON 52.5
$17.42฿588
-34.33%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sannicolau Mare
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.38RON 190
$41.64฿1,405
-0.62%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.01RON 87.2
$6.89฿233
175.91%
Cinema Ticket
$7.02RON 32.19
$5.78฿195
21.45%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sannicolau Mare
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$426RON 1,953
$300฿10.1K
42.02%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,840RON 31.4K
$14.5K฿490.1K
-52.90%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sannicolau Mare
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$69.1RON 317
$55.4฿1,869
24.89%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.33RON 176
$26.31฿888
45.69%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$83.3RON 382
$84.8฿2,863
-1.82%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$95.3RON 437
$70.5฿2,379
35.26%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sannicolau Mare
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$387RON 1,777
$425฿14.4K
-8.89%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$285RON 1,308
$235฿7,933
21.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$579RON 2,657
$802฿27.1K
-27.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$443RON 2,032
$516฿17.4K
-14.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,842RON 8,451
$1,926฿65.0K
-4.35%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,448RON 6,644
$1,451฿49.0K
-0.19%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sannicolau Mare
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$586฿19.8K
-
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: July 20, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: July 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $387 in Sannicolau Mare versus $425 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 $45.00 in Sannicolau Mare versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $203 in Sannicolau Mare vs $242 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 21% 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 $1,535 per month in Sannicolau Mare and $1,271 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 $426 per month in Sannicolau Mare and $300 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 19% 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 in Chiang Mai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $1,024 in Sannicolau Mare and $847 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 $847 versus $1,024 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