Cost of Living Comparison Between Vaxjo and Chiang Mai Cost of Living Comparison Between Vaxjo and Chiang Mai

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,764 per month in Vaxjo vs $866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,643 per month in Vaxjo vs $1,351 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,523 per month in Vaxjo vs $1,835 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Vaxjo costs about 104% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Vaxjo sits 32% above the global median, while Chiang Mai is 35% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Vaxjo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.51 SEK 117
$1.94 ฿63.5
544.85%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.9 SEK 652
$18.64 ฿609
274.89%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.44 SEK 97.5
$7.82 ฿255
33.50%
Cappuccino
$4.13 SEK 38.51
$1.95 ฿63.8
111.79%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.24 SEK 11.60
$0.85 ฿27.77
45.88%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.31 SEK 12.21
$0.35 ฿11.58
274.29%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.49 SEK 69.9
$2.13 ฿69.6
251.64%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.82 SEK 63.6
$3.73 ฿122
82.84%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Vaxjo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.80 SEK 16.78
$1.71 ฿56.0
5.26%
White Bread (500g)
$2.32 SEK 21.67
$1.63 ฿53.2
42.33%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.94 SEK 36.76
$1.14 ฿37.15
245.61%
Eggs
$3.92 SEK 36.62
$1.93 ฿63.1
103.11%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.79 SEK 129
$16.21 ฿530
-14.93%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.38 SEK 106
$3.12 ฿102
264.74%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.72 SEK 128
$10.90 ฿356
25.87%
Apples (1kg)
$3.69 SEK 34.46
$2.75 ฿90.0
34.18%
Banana (1kg)
$2.69 SEK 25.11
$1.21 ฿39.52
122.31%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.56 SEK 14.58
$1.62 ฿53.0
-3.70%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.61 SEK 42.99
$1.59 ฿51.8
189.94%
Potato (1kg)
$1.55 SEK 14.48
$1.40 ฿45.70
10.71%
Onion (1kg)
$2.02 SEK 18.81
$1.17 ฿38.17
72.65%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.76 SEK 25.74
$0.66 ฿21.60
318.18%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.63 SEK 15.22
$0.53 ฿17.22
207.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$7.13 SEK 66.5
$4.69 ฿153
52.03%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.04 SEK 93.7
$18.66 ฿609
-46.20%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78 SEK 16.61
$1.80 ฿58.8
-1.11%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.89 SEK 17.62
$3.23 ฿106
-41.49%
🚌 Getting Around
Vaxjo
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.03 SEK 28.25
$0.90 ฿29.26
236.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$67.6 SEK 631
$19.21 ฿628
252.11%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$10.54 SEK 98.3
$1.41 ฿45.91
647.52%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.65 SEK 15.36
$1.29 ฿42.12
27.91%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$21.48 SEK 200
$7.84 ฿256
173.98%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.98 SEK 18.46
$1.27 ฿41.58
55.91%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.4K SEK 302.0K
$21.3K ฿694.9K
52.10%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.2K SEK 300.2K
$22.2K ฿725.4K
44.86%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Vaxjo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$88.6 SEK 826
$69.1 ฿2,256
28.20%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.95 SEK 261
$14.08 ฿460
98.51%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.23 SEK 301
$18.00 ฿588
79.06%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Vaxjo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$38.87 SEK 363
$41.06 ฿1,341
-5.33%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$25.74 SEK 240
$6.96 ฿227
269.83%
Cinema Ticket
$16.62 SEK 155
$5.92 ฿193
180.74%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Vaxjo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$147 SEK 1,371
$299 ฿9,766
-50.87%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$752 SEK 7,020
$15.0K ฿488.3K
-94.97%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Vaxjo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$106 SEK 993
$54.7 ฿1,787
94.46%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.54 SEK 248
$26.77 ฿874
-0.86%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$101 SEK 947
$85.0 ฿2,776
19.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$143 SEK 1,330
$70.6 ฿2,306
101.91%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Vaxjo
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$845 SEK 7,889
$428 ฿14.0K
97.45%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$678 SEK 6,324
$237 ฿7,752
185.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,571 SEK 14.7K
$801 ฿26.2K
95.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$990 SEK 9,234
$515 ฿16.8K
91.98%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$1,975 ฿64.5K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,620 SEK 24.4K
$1,475 ฿48.2K
77.59%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Vaxjo
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,306 SEK 30.8K
$617 ฿20.2K
435.40%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.53
5
-9.40%

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

Last update for Vaxjo: June 1, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $845 in Vaxjo 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 435% higher in Vaxjo, 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 $70.0 in Vaxjo versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $348 vs $246 – 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
Vaxjo vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Vaxjo or Chiang Mai?
Vaxjo costs about 104% 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 Vaxjo vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,646 per month in Vaxjo and $1,300 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Vaxjo 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 Vaxjo and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $147 per month in Vaxjo and $299 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 Vaxjo or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 41% more in Vaxjo, 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 Vaxjo or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $866, than in Vaxjo at $1,764. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Vaxjo it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Vaxjo or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $866 versus $1,764 in Vaxjo. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Vaxjo 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 Vaxjo or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Vaxjo makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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