ðA single person spends $1,329 per month in Siauliai vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $2,003 per month in Siauliai vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $2,678 per month in Siauliai vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðSiauliai costs about 56% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðBoth Siauliai and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median â Siauliai1% lower, Chiang Mai36% lower.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Siauliai
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.28âŽ10.51
$1.96āļŋ64.0
526.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$40.60âŽ34.75
$18.81āļŋ615
115.84%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.89âŽ5.89
$7.92āļŋ259
-13.01%
Cappuccino
$3.12âŽ2.67
$1.91āļŋ62.6
63.35%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12âŽ1.82
$0.84āļŋ27.41
152.38%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.17âŽ1.00
$0.35āļŋ11.51
234.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.55âŽ3.90
$2.21āļŋ72.1
105.88%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.81âŽ3.26
$3.80āļŋ124
0.26%
ð Groceries & Markets
Siauliai
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.54âŽ1.32
$1.64āļŋ53.5
-6.10%
White Bread(500g)
$1.58âŽ1.35
$1.62āļŋ53.1
-2.47%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.57âŽ2.20
$1.18āļŋ38.62
117.80%
Eggs
$2.75âŽ2.35
$2.01āļŋ65.8
36.82%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.77âŽ10.93
$15.89āļŋ520
-19.63%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.05âŽ6.03
$3.01āļŋ98.5
134.22%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.26âŽ10.49
$10.77āļŋ352
13.83%
Apples(1kg)
$1.60âŽ1.37
$2.61āļŋ85.5
-38.70%
Banana(1kg)
$1.65âŽ1.41
$1.22āļŋ39.88
35.25%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.16âŽ1.85
$1.70āļŋ55.7
27.06%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.42âŽ2.92
$1.58āļŋ51.5
116.46%
Potato(1kg)
$0.94âŽ0.80
$1.32āļŋ43.14
-28.79%
Onion(1kg)
$1.07âŽ0.92
$1.17āļŋ38.23
-8.55%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.92âŽ1.64
$0.67āļŋ21.98
186.57%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.94âŽ0.80
$0.56āļŋ18.32
67.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.69âŽ4.87
$4.53āļŋ148
25.61%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.25âŽ7.06
$18.20āļŋ595
-54.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.74âŽ1.49
$1.83āļŋ60.0
-4.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.21âŽ1.89
$3.23āļŋ106
-31.58%
ð Getting Around
Siauliai
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.73âŽ1.48
$0.89āļŋ29.00
94.38%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$34.04âŽ29.14
$19.38āļŋ634
75.64%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.26âŽ2.79
$1.35āļŋ44.20
141.48%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.12âŽ0.96
$1.35āļŋ44.05
-17.04%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$16.19âŽ13.85
$8.25āļŋ270
96.24%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.67âŽ1.43
$1.27āļŋ41.64
31.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.3KâŽ29.3K
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
61.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.8KâŽ28.1K
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
46.00%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Siauliai
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$244âŽ209
$70.2āļŋ2,294
247.43%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.03âŽ12.01
$13.77āļŋ450
1.89%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.19âŽ14.72
$17.60āļŋ575
-2.33%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Siauliai
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.85âŽ35.83
$41.57āļŋ1,360
0.67%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.33âŽ15.69
$6.60āļŋ216
177.73%
Cinema Ticket
$9.17âŽ7.85
$5.78āļŋ189
58.65%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Siauliai
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$633âŽ542
$306āļŋ10.0K
106.84%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,242âŽ7,911
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
-37.66%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Siauliai
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$87.0âŽ74.5
$54.4āļŋ1,778
60.07%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.68âŽ35.68
$26.14āļŋ855
59.45%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$108âŽ92.7
$84.5āļŋ2,764
28.05%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$129âŽ111
$69.4āļŋ2,270
86.03%
ð Accommodation & Living
Siauliai
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$426âŽ365
$424āļŋ13.9K
0.54%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$318âŽ272
$238āļŋ7,788
33.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$738âŽ632
$825āļŋ27.0K
-10.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$633âŽ542
$515āļŋ16.8K
22.94%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,607âŽ2,232
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
27.22%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,676âŽ1,435
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
10.09%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Siauliai
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,324âŽ1,133
$635āļŋ20.8K
108.44%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.47
5
-30.60%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Siauliai: April 26, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $426 in Siauliai versus $424 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.
ð°Salaries run about 108% higher in Siauliai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $41.00 in Siauliai versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $260 vs $243 â making Chiang Mai the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Siauliai vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Siauliai or Chiang Mai?
Siauliai costs about 56% 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 Siauliai vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,993 per month in Siauliai and $1,278 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Siauliai 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 Siauliai and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $633 per month in Siauliai and $306 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 Siauliai or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 7% more in Siauliai, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Siauliai or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Siauliai at $1,329. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Siauliai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Siauliai or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $1,329 in Siauliai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Siauliai 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 â central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Siauliai or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Siauliai makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.