ðA single person spends $1,734 per month in Terrassa vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA couple spends around $2,556 per month in Terrassa vs $1,354 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðA family of three spends $3,379 per month in Terrassa vs $1,857 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
ðTerrassa costs about 103% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
ðTerrassa sits 29% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 36% below â they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
ð― Eating Out
Terrassa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.01âŽ14.56
$1.96āļŋ64.0
767.86%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.6âŽ59.6
$18.81āļŋ615
269.96%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.62âŽ10.80
$7.92āļŋ259
59.34%
Cappuccino
$2.53âŽ2.17
$1.91āļŋ62.6
32.46%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.16âŽ1.85
$0.84āļŋ27.41
157.14%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97âŽ1.68
$0.35āļŋ11.51
462.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.54âŽ3.03
$2.21āļŋ72.1
60.18%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.49âŽ3.84
$3.80āļŋ124
18.16%
ð Groceries & Markets
Terrassa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.23âŽ1.05
$1.64āļŋ53.5
-25.00%
White Bread(500g)
$1.61âŽ1.37
$1.62āļŋ53.1
-0.62%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.91âŽ1.63
$1.18āļŋ38.62
61.86%
Eggs
$3.48âŽ2.98
$2.01āļŋ65.8
73.13%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.70âŽ9.16
$15.89āļŋ520
-32.66%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.12âŽ7.81
$3.01āļŋ98.5
202.99%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.26âŽ16.48
$10.77āļŋ352
78.83%
Apples(1kg)
$2.33âŽ1.99
$2.61āļŋ85.5
-10.73%
Banana(1kg)
$2.14âŽ1.83
$1.22āļŋ39.88
75.41%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.96âŽ1.68
$1.70āļŋ55.7
15.29%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.86âŽ2.44
$1.58āļŋ51.5
81.01%
Potato(1kg)
$1.48âŽ1.26
$1.32āļŋ43.14
12.12%
Onion(1kg)
$1.70âŽ1.46
$1.17āļŋ38.23
45.30%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.98âŽ0.84
$0.67āļŋ21.98
46.27%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.84âŽ0.72
$0.56āļŋ18.32
50.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.91âŽ5.06
$4.53āļŋ148
30.46%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.17âŽ6.14
$18.20āļŋ595
-60.60%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.42âŽ1.21
$1.83āļŋ60.0
-22.40%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.19âŽ1.87
$3.23āļŋ106
-32.20%
ð Getting Around
Terrassa
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.65âŽ1.42
$0.89āļŋ29.00
85.39%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$35.03âŽ29.99
$19.38āļŋ634
80.75%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.07âŽ3.49
$1.35āļŋ44.20
201.48%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.10âŽ1.79
$1.35āļŋ44.05
55.56%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$28.86âŽ24.71
$8.25āļŋ270
249.82%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.84âŽ1.57
$1.27āļŋ41.64
44.88%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.0KâŽ32.6K
$21.2Kāļŋ691.8K
79.81%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.8KâŽ28.1K
$22.5Kāļŋ735.3K
45.91%
ð§ū Monthly Utilities & Internet
Terrassa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$185âŽ158
$70.2āļŋ2,294
163.75%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.33âŽ19.97
$13.77āļŋ450
69.43%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.31âŽ31.08
$17.60āļŋ575
106.31%
ð Sport & Entertainment
Terrassa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$40.85âŽ34.97
$41.57āļŋ1,360
-1.73%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.11âŽ12.94
$6.60āļŋ216
128.94%
Cinema Ticket
$10.81âŽ9.25
$5.78āļŋ189
87.02%
ð§ļ Childcare & Education
Terrassa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$638âŽ546
$306āļŋ10.0K
108.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,918âŽ8,490
$14.8Kāļŋ484.8K
-33.10%
ðð Clothing & Footwear
Terrassa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$88.0âŽ75.3
$54.4āļŋ1,778
61.85%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.35âŽ28.55
$26.14āļŋ855
27.58%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$91.1âŽ78.0
$84.5āļŋ2,764
7.75%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$117âŽ100
$69.4āļŋ2,270
68.53%
ð Accommodation & Living
Terrassa
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$869âŽ743
$424āļŋ13.9K
105.01%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$700âŽ599
$238āļŋ7,788
193.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,328âŽ1,137
$825āļŋ27.0K
61.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,002âŽ858
$515āļŋ16.8K
94.44%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,927âŽ2,506
$2,049āļŋ67.0K
42.84%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,190âŽ1,875
$1,523āļŋ49.8K
43.81%
ðĩ Salaries & Financials
Terrassa
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,369âŽ2,028
$635āļŋ20.8K
273.00%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.5
5
-30.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Terrassa: April 27, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
ð A central one-bedroom costs $869 in Terrassa versus $424 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.
ð°Salaries run about 273% higher in Terrassa, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
ðA mid-range dinner for two costs $70.0 in Terrassa versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $280 vs $243 â making Chiang Mai the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Terrassa vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Terrassa or Chiang Mai?
Terrassa costs about 103% 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 Terrassa vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,600 per month in Terrassa and $1,278 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled â not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Terrassa 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 Terrassa and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $638 per month in Terrassa and $306 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 Terrassa or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 15% more in Terrassa, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Terrassa or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $852, than in Terrassa at $1,734. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Terrassa it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Terrassa or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $852 versus $1,734 in Terrassa. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Terrassa 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 â central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Terrassa or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Terrassa makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.