😐A single person spends $1,402 per month in Szczecin vs $947 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,108 per month in Szczecin vs $1,411 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,814 per month in Szczecin vs $1,874 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐Szczecin costs about 48% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Szczecin sits 2% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 31% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Szczecin
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.64zł 36.05
$2.08฿69.4
363.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.86zł 183
$19.64฿654
148.78%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.89zł 33.24
$5.65฿188
57.35%
Cappuccino
$3.13zł 11.70
$1.81฿60.1
72.93%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95zł 7.30
$0.71฿23.75
174.65%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.47zł 5.51
$0.32฿10.52
359.37%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.20zł 11.96
$2.24฿74.5
42.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.26zł 12.20
$3.63฿121
-10.19%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Szczecin
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.92zł 3.44
$1.96฿65.2
-53.06%
White Bread(500g)
$1.37zł 5.13
$1.50฿50.0
-8.67%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.12zł 4.20
$1.34฿44.49
-16.42%
Eggs
$3.38zł 12.65
$2.26฿75.4
49.56%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.72zł 36.33
$16.26฿541
-40.22%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.81zł 25.46
$2.95฿98.4
130.85%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.56zł 50.7
$9.94฿331
36.42%
Apples(1kg)
$0.94zł 3.52
$2.57฿85.7
-63.42%
Banana(1kg)
$1.78zł 6.65
$1.06฿35.18
67.92%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.62zł 6.05
$1.61฿53.7
0.62%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.44zł 9.11
$1.52฿50.6
60.53%
Potato(1kg)
$0.90zł 3.37
$1.27฿42.30
-29.13%
Onion(1kg)
$1.09zł 4.08
$1.07฿35.51
1.87%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.20zł 4.49
$0.72฿23.98
66.67%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63zł 2.35
$0.51฿16.94
23.53%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.52zł 20.65
$4.19฿140
31.74%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.70zł 25.04
$17.87฿595
-62.51%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.12zł 4.18
$1.69฿56.4
-33.73%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.53zł 5.70
$2.84฿94.5
-46.13%
🚌 Getting Around
Szczecin
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.83zł 3.11
$0.93฿30.82
-10.75%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$26.37zł 98.6
$53.9฿1,794
-51.04%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.04zł 7.62
$1.23฿41.11
65.85%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.96zł 3.59
$0.58฿19.20
65.52%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.34zł 49.88
$2.42฿80.7
451.24%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.57zł 5.89
$1.41฿47.03
11.35%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.7Kzł 122.3K
$21.4K฿714.1K
52.53%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.1Kzł 112.7K
$27.3K฿910.2K
10.27%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Szczecin
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$255zł 952
$63.7฿2,120
299.76%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.85zł 48.04
$12.85฿428
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.61zł 73.3
$20.22฿673
-3.02%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Szczecin
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$32.14zł 120
$38.74฿1,290
-17.04%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$51.7zł 193
$3.97฿132
1202.52%
Cinema Ticket
$6.63zł 24.78
$6.74฿224
-1.63%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Szczecin
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$353zł 1,321
$778฿25.9K
-54.59%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,189zł 30.6K
$14.6K฿486.5K
-43.95%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Szczecin
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$71.6zł 268
$54.3฿1,808
31.94%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.64zł 137
$25.45฿847
43.97%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$82.8zł 309
$94.3฿3,141
-12.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$97.2zł 363
$73.4฿2,446
32.37%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Szczecin
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$637zł 2,382
$490฿16.3K
30.11%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$521zł 1,946
$289฿9,634
79.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,226zł 4,581
$894฿29.8K
37.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$854zł 3,194
$517฿17.2K
65.26%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,401zł 12.7K
$1,955฿65.1K
73.96%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,504zł 9,360
$1,477฿49.2K
69.54%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Szczecin
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,659zł 6,202
$602฿20.0K
175.55%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.82
5.57
22.44%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Szczecin: September 1, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $637 in Szczecin versus $490 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 176% higher in Szczecin, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $49.00 in Szczecin versus $20.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $218 in Szczecin vs $240 in Chiang Mai – so Szczecin 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
Szczecin vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Szczecin or Chiang Mai?
Szczecin costs about 48% 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 Szczecin and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,103 per month in Szczecin and $1,421 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Szczecin 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 Szczecin and in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $353 per month in Szczecin and $778 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 Szczecin or in Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 10% cheaper in Szczecin – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Szczecin or in Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $947, than in Szczecin at $1,402. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Szczecin it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Szczecin or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $947 versus $1,402 in Szczecin. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Szczecin 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 Szczecin or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Szczecin makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.