Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Swidnica and Chiang Mai

For one person, living is cheaper in Chiang Mai: $936 a month against $1,219 in Swidnica, rent and utilities included – about $3,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Swidnica, Poland
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Swidnica
🇵🇱 Poland
$1,219
/mo nomad
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$936
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Swidnica and in Chiang Mai

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Swidnica and in Chiang Mai actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,219 per month in Swidnica vs $936 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Swidnica $1,219
  • Chiang Mai $936

A couple spends around $1,890 per month in Swidnica vs $1,457 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Swidnica $1,890
  • Chiang Mai $1,457

A family of three spends $2,562 per month in Swidnica vs $1,979 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

  • Swidnica $2,562
  • Chiang Mai $1,979

Swidnica costs about 30% more than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Swidnica and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Swidnica 10% lower, Chiang Mai 31% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Swidnica
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.83 zł 30.99
$2.24 ฿75.7
249.55%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.29 zł 100
$19.00 ฿642
33.11%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.04 zł 27.85
$5.55 ฿188
26.85%
Cappuccino
$3.02 zł 11.96
$1.67 ฿56.6
80.84%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.13 zł 8.44
$0.64 ฿21.56
232.81%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.89 zł 7.47
$0.31 ฿10.32
509.68%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.51 zł 9.94
$2.36 ฿79.6
6.36%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.03 zł 19.89
$3.66 ฿124
37.43%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Swidnica
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 zł 4.13
$1.95 ฿65.8
-46.67%
White Bread (500g)
$1.51 zł 6.00
$1.44 ฿48.51
4.86%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.50 zł 5.92
$1.33 ฿45.07
12.78%
Eggs
$3.95 zł 15.63
$2.28 ฿77.1
73.25%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.28 zł 36.72
$16.45 ฿556
-43.59%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.64 zł 26.26
$2.78 ฿94.0
138.85%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.86 zł 46.95
$9.31 ฿314
27.39%
Apples (1kg)
$1.30 zł 5.15
$2.35 ฿79.5
-44.68%
Banana (1kg)
$1.57 zł 6.20
$0.97 ฿32.82
61.86%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.68 zł 6.63
$1.60 ฿53.9
5.00%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.44 zł 13.63
$1.50 ฿50.7
129.33%
Potato (1kg)
$0.93 zł 3.68
$1.28 ฿43.15
-27.34%
Onion (1kg)
$0.79 zł 3.11
$1.10 ฿37.22
-28.18%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.45 zł 5.75
$0.71 ฿23.84
104.23%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.71 zł 2.82
$0.49 ฿16.38
44.90%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.04 zł 23.91
$4.14 ฿140
45.89%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.57 zł 29.96
$17.52 ฿592
-56.79%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19 zł 4.72
$1.61 ฿54.5
-26.09%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.84 zł 7.30
$2.78 ฿94.0
-33.81%
🚌 Getting Around
Swidnica
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.09 zł 4.30
$0.87 ฿29.33
25.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$28.32 zł 112
$54.1 ฿1,827
-47.64%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.58 zł 10.22
$1.16 ฿39.08
122.41%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.99 zł 3.92
$0.53 ฿17.82
86.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$10.23 zł 40.47
$2.42 ฿81.8
322.73%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.66 zł 6.56
$1.45 ฿48.93
14.48%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.9K zł 118.2K
$21.1K ฿711.2K
41.84%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.0K zł 114.7K
$26.9K ฿909.8K
7.59%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Swidnica
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$199 zł 788
$62.2 ฿2,100
220.35%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.55 zł 37.79
$12.17 ฿411
-21.53%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$12.49 zł 49.41
$20.12 ฿680
-37.92%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Swidnica
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.52 zł 148
$37.31 ฿1,260
0.56%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.93 zł 86.8
$3.77 ฿127
481.70%
Cinema Ticket
$6.98 zł 27.60
$6.49 ฿219
7.55%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Swidnica
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$475 zł 1,879
$736 ฿24.9K
-35.50%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.8K zł 46.7K
$14.8K ฿498.6K
-20.13%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Swidnica
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$92.3 zł 365
$53.4 ฿1,802
72.85%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.47 zł 152
$24.64 ฿832
56.13%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$92.7 zł 367
$91.5 ฿3,089
1.30%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107 zł 423
$71.9 ฿2,429
48.71%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Swidnica
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$590 zł 2,334
$482 ฿16.3K
22.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$371 zł 1,470
$309 ฿10.4K
20.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$974 zł 3,855
$1,006 ฿34.0K
-3.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$822 zł 3,252
$633 ฿21.4K
29.74%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,938 zł 11.6K
$2,363 ฿79.8K
24.32%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,228 zł 8,817
$1,589 ฿53.7K
40.22%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Swidnica
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,020 zł 4,038
$590 ฿19.9K
73.04%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7
5.57
25.67%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Swidnica: October 24, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Swidnica
$371
Chiang Mai
$309 16.8% $62
Groceries & Markets
Swidnica
$227
Chiang Mai
$234 3.1% $7.1
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Swidnica
$221
Chiang Mai
$94 57.3% $127
Eating Out
Swidnica
$159
Chiang Mai
$78 51.1% $81
Clothing & Footwear
Swidnica
$149
Chiang Mai
$109 26.9% $40
Sport & Entertainment
Swidnica
$51
Chiang Mai
$50 2.3% $1.2
Getting Around
Swidnica
$40
Chiang Mai
$61 52.6% $21

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $590 in Swidnica versus $482 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 73% higher in Swidnica. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $25 in Swidnica versus $19 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $227 in Swidnica vs $234 in Chiang Mai – so Swidnica wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇵🇱 Swidnica
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🕒 Local time
02:27 2:27 AM
08:27 8:27 AM
6 h ahead of Swidnica
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
55,800
127,240
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

THB, USD, EUR to PLN – Polish Złoty Converter

Polish Złoty exchange rates as of October 29, 2026: 1 USD = 3.96 PLN (1 PLN = 0.253 USD). 1 EUR = 4.41 PLN (1 PLN = 0.227 EUR).

Thai Baht exchange rates as of October 29, 2026: 1 USD = 33.77 THB (100 THB = 2.96 USD). 1 EUR = 37.59 THB (100 THB = 2.66 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Swidnica Chiang Mai 7,880 km ≈ 10 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Swidnica
  • Chiang Mai

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Swidnica vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Swidnica or Chiang Mai?
Swidnica costs about 30% more than Chiang Mai, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from 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 Swidnica and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,828 per month in Swidnica and $1,403 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Swidnica or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Chiang Mai, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $482 there versus $590 in Swidnica.
How do childcare costs compare in Swidnica and in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $475 per month in Swidnica and $736 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 Swidnica or in Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 3% cheaper in Swidnica – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value.
Can you live on $800/month in Swidnica or in Chiang Mai?
$800 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $1,219 in Swidnica and $936 in Chiang Mai. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Swidnica or Chiang Mai?
It depends on your priorities. Chiang Mai has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $936 in Chiang Mai to $1,219 in Swidnica. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How safe is Swidnica compared to Chiang Mai?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Should I move to Swidnica or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Swidnica makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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