😐A single person spends $1,560 per month in Szczecinek vs $861 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,175 per month in Szczecinek vs $1,350 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,789 per month in Szczecinek vs $1,838 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
😐Szczecinek costs about 81% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Szczecinek sits 17% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 36% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Szczecinek
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.90zł 41.35
$1.96฿65.8
456.12%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.52zł 93.0
$18.35฿617
33.62%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.36zł 35.50
$7.48฿252
25.13%
Cappuccino
$3.64zł 13.82
$2.02฿67.8
80.20%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.03zł 3.91
$0.85฿28.50
21.18%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.70zł 2.67
$0.36฿11.96
94.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.12zł 15.62
$2.14฿71.8
92.52%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51zł 5.73
$3.59฿121
-57.94%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Szczecinek
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06zł 4.02
$1.65฿55.5
-35.76%
White Bread(500g)
$1.09zł 4.15
$1.57฿52.7
-30.57%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.58zł 6.01
$1.19฿40.02
32.77%
Eggs
$3.46zł 13.11
$1.94฿65.1
78.35%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.18zł 31.02
$16.19฿544
-49.47%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.24zł 27.47
$2.99฿101
142.14%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.18zł 50.0
$10.94฿368
20.48%
Apples(1kg)
$1.05zł 4.00
$2.71฿91.2
-61.25%
Banana(1kg)
$1.99zł 7.56
$1.17฿39.25
70.09%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.88zł 7.12
$1.69฿56.7
11.24%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.03zł 11.49
$1.60฿54.0
89.37%
Potato(1kg)
$0.87zł 3.32
$1.38฿46.54
-36.96%
Onion(1kg)
$0.67zł 2.54
$1.20฿40.45
-44.17%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.51zł 5.73
$0.67฿22.50
125.37%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72zł 2.74
$0.56฿18.73
28.57%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.36zł 20.34
$4.64฿156
15.52%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.83zł 29.70
$17.62฿593
-55.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.06zł 4.03
$1.86฿62.5
-43.01%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66zł 6.28
$3.30฿111
-49.70%
🚌 Getting Around
Szczecinek
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.06zł 4.01
$0.88฿29.68
20.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$32.83zł 125
$19.34฿650
69.75%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.28zł 8.65
$1.36฿45.90
67.65%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.76zł 2.89
$1.34฿44.98
-43.28%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.51zł 51.3
$8.21฿276
64.56%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.67zł 6.34
$1.22฿41.18
36.89%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.3Kzł 126.3K
$21.4K฿718.1K
55.88%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.0Kzł 113.9K
$22.5K฿757.7K
33.23%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Szczecinek
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$367zł 1,393
$70.7฿2,376
419.68%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.59zł 43.96
$14.04฿472
-17.45%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.07zł 61.0
$17.49฿588
-8.12%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Szczecinek
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$36.83zł 140
$42.15฿1,417
-12.62%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.35zł 73.4
$6.88฿231
181.25%
Cinema Ticket
$7.43zł 28.20
$5.92฿199
25.51%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Szczecinek
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$370zł 1,404
$309฿10.4K
19.94%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,626zł 25.1K
$14.9K฿500.4K
-55.46%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Szczecinek
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$121zł 460
$55.8฿1,875
117.34%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.21zł 172
$26.11฿878
73.15%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$110zł 417
$83.0฿2,792
32.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$90.7zł 344
$70.5฿2,369
28.70%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Szczecinek
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$507zł 1,922
$432฿14.5K
17.25%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$491zł 1,864
$239฿8,035
105.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$965zł 3,661
$822฿27.7K
17.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$802zł 3,042
$512฿17.2K
56.56%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,936zł 11.1K
$1,915฿64.4K
53.34%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,296zł 8,713
$1,467฿49.3K
56.53%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Szczecinek
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,317zł 4,995
$579฿19.5K
127.24%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.2
5
-16.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Szczecinek: July 12, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $507 in Szczecinek 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 127% higher in Szczecinek, 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 $25.00 in Szczecinek versus $18.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $225 in Szczecinek vs $243 in Chiang Mai – so Szczecinek 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
Szczecinek vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Szczecinek or Chiang Mai?
Szczecinek costs about 81% 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 Szczecinek and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,341 per month in Szczecinek 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, Szczecinek 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 Szczecinek and in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $370 per month in Szczecinek 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 Szczecinek or in Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 8% cheaper in Szczecinek – 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 Szczecinek or in Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $861, than in Szczecinek at $1,560. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Szczecinek it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Szczecinek or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $861 versus $1,560 in Szczecinek. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Szczecinek 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 Szczecinek or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Szczecinek makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Szczecinek vs other spots: cost of living compared