πA single person spends $1,064 per month in Turda vs $848 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,626 per month in Turda vs $1,331 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,189 per month in Turda vs $1,814 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πTurda costs about 25% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Turda and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median β Turda20% lower, Chiang Mai36% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Turda
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.33RONΒ 42.03
$1.96ΰΈΏ63.6
376.02%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.6RONΒ 237
$18.39ΰΈΏ598
185.92%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.99RONΒ 36.01
$7.87ΰΈΏ256
1.52%
Cappuccino
$2.97RONΒ 13.39
$1.95ΰΈΏ63.4
52.31%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.93RONΒ 8.69
$0.85ΰΈΏ27.57
127.06%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.74RONΒ 7.86
$0.32ΰΈΏ10.52
443.75%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.35RONΒ 10.60
$2.14ΰΈΏ69.6
9.81%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.74RONΒ 12.36
$3.68ΰΈΏ120
-25.54%
π Groceries & Markets
Turda
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.55RONΒ 6.96
$1.66ΰΈΏ53.9
-6.63%
White Bread(500g)
$1.24RONΒ 5.59
$1.56ΰΈΏ50.7
-20.51%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.63RONΒ 7.33
$1.19ΰΈΏ38.63
36.97%
Eggs
$3.11RONΒ 14.02
$1.99ΰΈΏ64.7
56.28%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.53RONΒ 42.92
$16.24ΰΈΏ528
-41.32%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.95RONΒ 31.29
$3.17ΰΈΏ103
119.24%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.71RONΒ 52.7
$10.84ΰΈΏ352
8.03%
Apples(1kg)
$1.12RONΒ 5.04
$2.65ΰΈΏ86.2
-57.74%
Banana(1kg)
$1.60RONΒ 7.20
$1.22ΰΈΏ39.67
31.15%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.57RONΒ 7.05
$1.65ΰΈΏ53.7
-4.85%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.61RONΒ 7.27
$1.55ΰΈΏ50.3
3.87%
Potato(1kg)
$0.96RONΒ 4.35
$1.33ΰΈΏ43.17
-27.82%
Onion(1kg)
$0.91RONΒ 4.10
$1.21ΰΈΏ39.43
-24.79%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.04RONΒ 4.69
$0.68ΰΈΏ22.04
52.94%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.95RONΒ 4.28
$0.57ΰΈΏ18.38
66.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.27RONΒ 28.25
$4.68ΰΈΏ152
33.97%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.73RONΒ 34.82
$16.99ΰΈΏ552
-54.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.12RONΒ 5.05
$1.82ΰΈΏ59.3
-38.46%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.82RONΒ 8.19
$3.18ΰΈΏ103
-42.77%
π Getting Around
Turda
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.35RONΒ 6.09
$0.91ΰΈΏ29.46
48.35%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$20.19RONΒ 90.9
$18.74ΰΈΏ609
7.74%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.82RONΒ 3.71
$1.41ΰΈΏ45.80
-41.84%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.71RONΒ 3.20
$1.34ΰΈΏ43.52
-47.01%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.30RONΒ 37.39
$8.14ΰΈΏ265
1.97%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.66RONΒ 7.45
$1.28ΰΈΏ41.53
29.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.3KRONΒ 127.3K
$21.8KΰΈΏ709.3K
29.50%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.0KRONΒ 121.7K
$22.4KΰΈΏ728.0K
20.66%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Turda
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$157RONΒ 705
$70.5ΰΈΏ2,291
122.18%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.88RONΒ 40.01
$14.05ΰΈΏ457
-36.80%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.55RONΒ 38.51
$17.65ΰΈΏ574
-51.56%
π Sport & Entertainment
Turda
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$40.88RONΒ 184
$41.29ΰΈΏ1,342
-0.99%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.12RONΒ 95.1
$6.76ΰΈΏ220
212.43%
Cinema Ticket
$6.81RONΒ 30.69
$5.96ΰΈΏ194
14.26%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Turda
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$482RONΒ 2,169
$303ΰΈΏ9,846
58.95%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,760RONΒ 34.9K
$15.0KΰΈΏ486.2K
-48.13%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Turda
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$68.0RONΒ 306
$54.7ΰΈΏ1,778
24.28%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.95RONΒ 184
$26.29ΰΈΏ854
55.76%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$85.7RONΒ 386
$85.8ΰΈΏ2,788
-0.05%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$99.9RONΒ 450
$69.7ΰΈΏ2,265
43.41%
π Accommodation & Living
Turda
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$382RONΒ 1,719
$428ΰΈΏ13.9K
-10.86%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$289RONΒ 1,304
$239ΰΈΏ7,769
21.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$581RONΒ 2,617
$811ΰΈΏ26.4K
-28.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$444RONΒ 1,998
$510ΰΈΏ16.6K
-12.96%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,905RONΒ 8,582
$2,025ΰΈΏ65.8K
-5.92%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,349RONΒ 6,076
$1,502ΰΈΏ48.8K
-10.18%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Turda
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$787RONΒ 3,545
$623ΰΈΏ20.2K
26.42%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.85
5
17.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Turda: June 13, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: June 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $382 in Turda 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.
π°Salaries run about 26% higher in Turda, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $53.0 in Turda versus $18.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story β $220 in Turda vs $242 in Chiang Mai β so Turda 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
Turda vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Turda or Chiang Mai?
Turda costs about 25% 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 Turda vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,595 per month in Turda and $1,272 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Turda 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 Turda and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $482 per month in Turda and $303 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 Turda or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 10% cheaper in Turda β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $800/month in Turda or Chiang Mai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably β all-in costs are $1,064 in Turda and $848 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Turda or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $848 versus $1,064 in Turda. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Turda 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 β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Turda or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Turda makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.