๐A single person spends $961 per month in Stary Oskol vs $845 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $1,473 per month in Stary Oskol vs $1,323 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $1,986 per month in Stary Oskol vs $1,802 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
๐Stary Oskol costs about 14% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Both Stary Oskol and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median โ Stary Oskol28% lower, Chiang Mai37% lower.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Stary Oskol
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.55โฝ716
$1.95เธฟ62.8
389.74%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.97โฝ2,849
$18.43เธฟ594
106.02%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.65โฝ424
$7.50เธฟ241
-24.67%
Cappuccino
$2.34โฝ176
$1.93เธฟ62.3
21.24%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.07โฝ80.3
$0.78เธฟ25.08
37.18%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48โฝ35.67
$0.32เธฟ10.42
50.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.36โฝ102
$2.15เธฟ69.2
-36.74%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.60โฝ195
$3.71เธฟ120
-29.92%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Stary Oskol
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.16โฝ86.8
$1.71เธฟ55.2
-32.16%
White Bread(500g)
$0.66โฝ49.34
$1.56เธฟ50.3
-57.69%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.37โฝ103
$1.18เธฟ38.06
16.10%
Eggs
$1.74โฝ130
$1.98เธฟ63.9
-12.12%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.75โฝ806
$16.04เธฟ517
-32.98%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.90โฝ368
$3.17เธฟ102
54.57%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.09โฝ682
$10.94เธฟ353
-16.91%
Apples(1kg)
$1.75โฝ131
$2.63เธฟ84.7
-33.46%
Banana(1kg)
$1.84โฝ138
$1.17เธฟ37.61
57.26%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.90โฝ143
$1.65เธฟ53.0
15.15%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.76โฝ207
$1.54เธฟ49.51
79.22%
Potato(1kg)
$0.84โฝ63.1
$1.38เธฟ44.34
-39.13%
Onion(1kg)
$0.70โฝ52.8
$1.17เธฟ37.54
-40.17%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.40โฝ105
$0.66เธฟ21.25
112.12%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66โฝ49.84
$0.51เธฟ16.55
29.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.97โฝ223
$4.52เธฟ146
-34.29%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.81โฝ511
$18.32เธฟ590
-62.83%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.00โฝ74.9
$1.80เธฟ57.9
-44.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.85โฝ139
$3.18เธฟ102
-41.82%
๐ Getting Around
Stary Oskol
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.49โฝ36.87
$0.90เธฟ28.97
-45.56%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$19.00เธฟ612
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.92โฝ144
$1.41เธฟ45.50
36.17%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.33โฝ24.65
$1.31เธฟ42.15
-74.81%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.33โฝ475
$8.09เธฟ261
-21.76%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.79โฝ59.0
$1.28เธฟ41.08
-38.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.8Kโฝ2.5M
$21.3Kเธฟ686.1K
58.88%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.9Kโฝ2.7M
$21.7Kเธฟ699.3K
65.54%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Stary Oskol
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$109โฝ8,167
$69.2เธฟ2,230
57.27%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.88โฝ441
$13.97เธฟ450
-57.91%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.78โฝ584
$17.95เธฟ578
-56.66%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Stary Oskol
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$36.07โฝ2,707
$42.31เธฟ1,363
-14.75%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.66เธฟ214
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.14โฝ386
$5.92เธฟ191
-13.18%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Stary Oskol
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$325โฝ24.4K
$299เธฟ9,640
8.48%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,972โฝ523.2K
$14.8Kเธฟ478.4K
-53.05%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Stary Oskol
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.5โฝ5,294
$56.2เธฟ1,810
25.54%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.58โฝ3,270
$26.94เธฟ868
61.77%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$116โฝ8,688
$84.9เธฟ2,735
36.42%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$105โฝ7,875
$71.8เธฟ2,314
46.09%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Stary Oskol
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$453โฝ34.0K
$435เธฟ14.0K
4.16%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$311โฝ23.3K
$240เธฟ7,727
29.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$765โฝ57.4K
$798เธฟ25.7K
-4.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$499โฝ37.5K
$498เธฟ16.1K
0.19%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,924โฝ144.4K
$1,995เธฟ64.3K
-3.58%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,387โฝ104.1K
$1,532เธฟ49.4K
-9.47%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Stary Oskol
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$628เธฟ20.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
15.33
5
206.60%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Stary Oskol: April 22, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $453 in Stary Oskol versus $435 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.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $38 in Stary Oskol versus $18 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story โ $196 in Stary Oskol vs $244 in Chiang Mai โ so Stary Oskol wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated March 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Stary Oskol vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Stary Oskol or Chiang Mai?
Stary Oskol costs about 14% 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 Stary Oskol vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,441 per month in Stary Oskol and $1,267 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Stary Oskol 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 dining costs compare in Stary Oskol vs Chiang Mai?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $38.00 in Stary Oskol and $18.00 in Chiang Mai. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and cafรฉ pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Stary Oskol or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 25% cheaper in Stary Oskol โ 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 Stary Oskol or Chiang Mai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably โ all-in costs are $961 in Stary Oskol and $845 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Stary Oskol or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $845 versus $961 in Stary Oskol. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Stary Oskol 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 โ central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Stary Oskol or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Stary Oskol makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Stary Oskol vs other spots: cost of living compared