Cost of Living Comparison Between Targu Jiu and Chiang Mai Cost of Living Comparison Between Targu Jiu and Chiang Mai

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,027 per month in Targu Jiu vs $866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,641 per month in Targu Jiu vs $1,351 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,255 per month in Targu Jiu vs $1,835 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Targu Jiu costs about 19% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Targu Jiu and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Targu Jiu 23% lower, Chiang Mai 35% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$13.95 RON 63.4

$1.94 ฿63.9

619.07%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$68.1 RON 310

$18.64 ฿613

265.40%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.01 RON 36.41

$7.82 ฿257

2.43%

Cappuccino

$3.35 RON 15.25

$1.95 ฿64.2

71.79%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.13 RON 5.13

$0.85 ฿27.95

32.94%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.40 RON 10.91

$0.35 ฿11.66

585.71%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.53 RON 16.02

$2.13 ฿70.1

65.73%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.86 RON 17.56

$3.73 ฿123

3.49%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.73 RON 7.89

$1.71 ฿56.3

1.17%

White Bread (500g)

$1.37 RON 6.24

$1.63 ฿53.5

-15.95%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.91 RON 8.70

$1.14 ฿37.39

67.54%

Eggs

$3.01 RON 13.67

$1.93 ฿63.5

55.96%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.93 RON 36.03

$16.21 ฿533

-51.08%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.17 RON 14.42

$3.12 ฿103

1.60%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.98 RON 36.28

$10.90 ฿358

-26.79%

Apples (1kg)

$1.01 RON 4.60

$2.75 ฿90.6

-63.27%

Banana (1kg)

$1.64 RON 7.44

$1.21 ฿39.78

35.54%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.26 RON 5.72

$1.62 ฿53.3

-22.22%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.34 RON 6.11

$1.59 ฿52.2

-15.72%

Potato (1kg)

$0.88 RON 4.00

$1.40 ฿46.00

-37.14%

Onion (1kg)

$1.01 RON 4.60

$1.17 ฿38.41

-13.68%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 RON 3.05

$0.66 ฿21.74

1.52%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.59 RON 2.69

$0.53 ฿17.33

11.32%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.60 RON 25.48

$4.69 ฿154

19.40%

Wine (Bottle)

$3.03 RON 13.76

$18.66 ฿613

-83.76%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.95 RON 4.31

$1.80 ฿59.2

-47.22%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.13 RON 5.15

$3.23 ฿106

-65.02%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.67 RON 3.05

$0.90 ฿29.44

-25.56%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$20.17 RON 91.7

$19.21 ฿632

5.00%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.72 RON 3.29

$1.41 ฿46.21

-48.94%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.61 RON 2.79

$1.29 ฿42.39

-52.71%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.85 RON 31.12

$7.84 ฿258

-12.63%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.68 RON 7.65

$1.27 ฿41.85

32.28%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$28.8K RON 131.1K

$21.3K ฿699.4K

35.59%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$30.8K RON 139.9K

$22.2K ฿730.1K

38.55%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$179 RON 813

$69.1 ฿2,270

158.94%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$6.43 RON 29.24

$14.08 ฿463

-54.33%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$10.49 RON 47.70

$18.00 ฿592

-41.72%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.16 RON 187

$41.06 ฿1,350

0.24%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$19.45 RON 88.4

$6.96 ฿229

179.45%

Cinema Ticket

$9.29 RON 42.21

$5.92 ฿194

56.93%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$656 RON 2,982

$299 ฿9,829

119.40%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.6K RON 66.2K

$15.0K ฿491.5K

-2.58%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.5 RON 252

$54.7 ฿1,798

1.48%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$28.14 RON 128

$26.77 ฿880

5.12%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$57.0 RON 259

$85.0 ฿2,793

-32.98%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$91.8 RON 417

$70.6 ฿2,320

29.97%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$374 RON 1,702

$428 ฿14.1K

-12.55%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$256 RON 1,164

$237 ฿7,801

7.85%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$522 RON 2,374

$801 ฿26.3K

-34.82%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$432 RON 1,966

$515 ฿16.9K

-16.11%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,632 RON 12.0K

$1,975 ฿64.9K

33.29%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,475 ฿48.5K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$544 RON 2,474

$617 ฿20.3K

-11.84%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

7.1

42.00%

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

Last update for Targu Jiu: June 1, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $374 in Targu Jiu 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 13% higher in Chiang Mai, 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 $68.0 in Targu Jiu versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $168 in Targu Jiu vs $246 in Chiang Mai – so Targu Jiu 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

Targu Jiu vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Targu Jiu costs about 19% 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.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,541 per month in Targu Jiu and $1,300 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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.

Kindergarten costs $656 per month in Targu Jiu and $299 in Chiang Mai. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 46% cheaper in Targu Jiu – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $1,027 in Targu Jiu and $866 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $866 versus $1,027 in Targu Jiu. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Targu Jiu makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.