🙂A single person spends $761 per month in Sliven vs $866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,207 per month in Sliven vs $1,351 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,653 per month in Sliven vs $1,835 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂Sliven is about 12% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Sliven and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Sliven43% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sliven
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.77BGN 14.59
$1.94฿63.5
352.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$35.75BGN 59.5
$18.64฿609
91.79%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.71BGN 14.49
$7.82฿255
11.38%
Cappuccino
$1.84BGN 3.06
$1.95฿63.8
-5.64%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.27BGN 2.11
$0.85฿27.77
49.41%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.91BGN 1.51
$0.35฿11.58
160.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74BGN 2.90
$2.13฿69.6
-18.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29BGN 3.81
$3.73฿122
-38.61%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sliven
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.59BGN 2.64
$1.71฿56.0
-7.02%
White Bread(500g)
$0.80BGN 1.33
$1.63฿53.2
-50.92%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.21BGN 3.68
$1.14฿37.15
93.86%
Eggs
$2.15BGN 3.57
$1.93฿63.1
11.40%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.08BGN 13.44
$16.21฿530
-50.15%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.51BGN 9.16
$3.12฿102
76.60%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.94BGN 11.54
$10.90฿356
-36.33%
Apples(1kg)
$1.45BGN 2.40
$2.75฿90.0
-47.27%
Banana(1kg)
$1.72BGN 2.86
$1.21฿39.52
42.15%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.48BGN 2.47
$1.62฿53.0
-8.64%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.26BGN 3.75
$1.59฿51.8
42.14%
Potato(1kg)
$0.51BGN 0.85
$1.40฿45.70
-63.57%
Onion(1kg)
$0.90BGN 1.51
$1.17฿38.17
-23.08%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.05BGN 1.74
$0.66฿21.60
59.09%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48BGN 0.79
$0.53฿17.22
-9.43%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.53BGN 5.87
$4.69฿153
-24.73%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.20BGN 10.31
$18.66฿609
-66.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.04BGN 1.74
$1.80฿58.8
-42.22%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.27BGN 2.12
$3.23฿106
-60.68%
🚌 Getting Around
Sliven
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.74BGN 1.23
$0.90฿29.26
-17.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$36.12BGN 60.1
$19.21฿628
88.03%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.16BGN 1.94
$1.41฿45.91
-17.73%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.77BGN 1.29
$1.29฿42.12
-40.31%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.96BGN 14.90
$7.84฿256
14.29%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.43BGN 2.37
$1.27฿41.58
12.60%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.9KBGN 53.1K
$21.3K฿694.9K
50.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.8KBGN 46.2K
$22.2K฿725.4K
25.13%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sliven
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$89.0BGN 148
$69.1฿2,256
28.85%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.99BGN 29.94
$14.08฿460
27.77%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.21BGN 15.33
$18.00฿588
-48.83%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sliven
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.18BGN 38.57
$41.06฿1,341
-43.55%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.92BGN 24.82
$6.96฿227
114.37%
Cinema Ticket
$6.03BGN 10.04
$5.92฿193
1.86%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sliven
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$422BGN 703
$299฿9,766
41.24%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,038BGN 11.7K
$15.0K฿488.3K
-52.93%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sliven
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.0BGN 99.8
$54.7฿1,787
9.69%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$23.21BGN 38.62
$26.77฿874
-13.30%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$69.6BGN 116
$85.0฿2,776
-18.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$64.6BGN 107
$70.6฿2,306
-8.51%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sliven
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$233BGN 387
$428฿14.0K
-45.69%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$150BGN 249
$237฿7,752
-36.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$336BGN 559
$801฿26.2K
-58.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$269BGN 447
$515฿16.8K
-47.86%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,181BGN 1,965
$1,975฿64.5K
-40.19%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$965BGN 1,605
$1,475฿48.2K
-34.60%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sliven
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,395BGN 2,320
$617฿20.2K
125.90%
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: June 1, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $233 in Sliven 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.
💰Salaries run about 126% 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 $36.00 in Sliven versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $182 in Sliven vs $246 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 14% 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 vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,141 per month in Sliven 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, 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 Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $422 per month in Sliven 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 Sliven or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 35% 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 Chiang Mai?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $761 in Sliven and $866 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 $761 versus $866 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 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.