🙂A single person spends $763 per month in Sliven vs $861 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,234 per month in Sliven vs $1,350 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,706 per month in Sliven vs $1,838 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂Sliven is about 11% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Sliven and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Sliven43% lower, Chiang Mai36% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sliven
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.96BGN 14.91
$1.96฿65.9
357.14%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$35.15BGN 58.5
$18.35฿617
91.55%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.81BGN 14.65
$7.48฿252
17.78%
Cappuccino
$1.93BGN 3.20
$2.02฿67.8
-4.46%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.32BGN 2.20
$0.85฿28.52
55.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.88BGN 1.46
$0.36฿11.97
144.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.82BGN 3.02
$2.14฿71.9
-14.95%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.34BGN 3.89
$3.59฿121
-34.82%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sliven
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.57BGN 2.61
$1.65฿55.5
-4.85%
White Bread(500g)
$0.84BGN 1.40
$1.57฿52.7
-46.50%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.19BGN 3.65
$1.19฿40.05
84.03%
Eggs
$2.25BGN 3.74
$1.94฿65.1
15.98%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.02BGN 13.35
$16.19฿545
-50.46%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.49BGN 9.13
$2.99฿101
83.61%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.96BGN 11.59
$10.94฿368
-36.38%
Apples(1kg)
$1.49BGN 2.48
$2.71฿91.2
-45.02%
Banana(1kg)
$1.70BGN 2.83
$1.17฿39.27
45.30%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.43BGN 2.37
$1.69฿56.8
-15.38%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.21BGN 3.68
$1.60฿54.0
38.12%
Potato(1kg)
$0.52BGN 0.87
$1.38฿46.56
-62.32%
Onion(1kg)
$0.89BGN 1.48
$1.20฿40.47
-25.83%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.05BGN 1.75
$0.67฿22.51
56.72%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49BGN 0.81
$0.56฿18.74
-12.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.60BGN 5.98
$4.64฿156
-22.41%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.08BGN 10.12
$17.62฿593
-65.49%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.07BGN 1.78
$1.86฿62.6
-42.47%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.28BGN 2.14
$3.30฿111
-61.21%
🚌 Getting Around
Sliven
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.69BGN 1.14
$0.88฿29.70
-21.59%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$36.52BGN 60.8
$19.34฿651
88.83%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.15BGN 1.91
$1.36฿45.92
-15.44%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.74BGN 1.23
$1.34฿45.00
-44.78%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.59BGN 14.29
$8.21฿276
4.63%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.50BGN 2.49
$1.22฿41.20
22.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.7KBGN 54.5K
$21.4K฿718.5K
53.37%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.0KBGN 46.5K
$22.5K฿758.1K
24.20%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sliven
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$86.8BGN 144
$70.7฿2,378
22.81%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.78BGN 29.57
$14.04฿472
26.64%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.46BGN 15.73
$17.49฿589
-45.91%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sliven
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.71BGN 39.44
$42.15฿1,418
-43.75%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.85BGN 24.71
$6.88฿231
115.84%
Cinema Ticket
$5.95BGN 9.89
$5.92฿199
0.51%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sliven
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$430BGN 715
$309฿10.4K
39.38%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,076BGN 11.8K
$14.9K฿500.7K
-52.44%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sliven
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.9BGN 98.0
$55.8฿1,876
5.69%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$23.14BGN 38.50
$26.11฿879
-11.37%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$71.2BGN 118
$83.0฿2,793
-14.23%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$62.2BGN 104
$70.5฿2,371
-11.68%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sliven
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$239BGN 398
$432฿14.5K
-44.59%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$145BGN 241
$239฿8,040
-39.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$340BGN 565
$822฿27.7K
-58.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$267BGN 444
$512฿17.2K
-47.88%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,159BGN 1,929
$1,915฿64.4K
-39.44%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$954BGN 1,587
$1,467฿49.4K
-34.98%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sliven
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,329BGN 2,211
$579฿19.5K
129.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.25
5
-15.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sliven: July 11, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $239 in Sliven versus $432 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.
💰Salaries run about 129% higher in Sliven, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $35.00 in Sliven versus $18.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $182 in Sliven vs $243 in Chiang Mai – so Sliven 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
Sliven vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Sliven or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 13% more than Sliven, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 Sliven and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,144 per month in Sliven and $1,292 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Sliven or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Sliven, 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 Sliven and in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $430 per month in Sliven and $309 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 Sliven or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 34% more in Chiang Mai, 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 Sliven or in Chiang Mai?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $763 in Sliven and $861 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Sliven or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Sliven costs $763 versus $861 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Sliven 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 Sliven or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Sliven. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chiang Mai makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.