πA single person spends $1,008 per month in Vladikavkaz vs $866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,525 per month in Vladikavkaz vs $1,351 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,041 per month in Vladikavkaz vs $1,835 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πVladikavkaz costs about 16% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Vladikavkaz and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median β Vladikavkaz25% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Vladikavkaz
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.33β½681
$1.94ΰΈΏ63.5
380.93%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.65β½2,748
$18.64ΰΈΏ609
101.98%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.82β½425
$7.82ΰΈΏ255
-25.58%
Cappuccino
$1.17β½85.4
$1.95ΰΈΏ63.8
-40.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.91β½66.3
$0.85ΰΈΏ27.77
7.06%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43β½31.16
$0.35ΰΈΏ11.58
22.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.66β½121
$2.13ΰΈΏ69.6
-22.07%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.59β½189
$3.73ΰΈΏ122
-30.56%
π Groceries & Markets
Vladikavkaz
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.99β½72.5
$1.71ΰΈΏ56.0
-42.11%
White Bread(500g)
$0.66β½48.36
$1.63ΰΈΏ53.2
-59.51%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.41β½103
$1.14ΰΈΏ37.15
23.68%
Eggs
$1.51β½110
$1.93ΰΈΏ63.1
-21.76%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.91β½796
$16.21ΰΈΏ530
-32.70%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.18β½378
$3.12ΰΈΏ102
66.03%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.90β½649
$10.90ΰΈΏ356
-18.35%
Apples(1kg)
$1.79β½130
$2.75ΰΈΏ90.0
-34.91%
Banana(1kg)
$1.89β½138
$1.21ΰΈΏ39.52
56.20%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.98β½145
$1.62ΰΈΏ53.0
22.22%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.48β½327
$1.59ΰΈΏ51.8
181.76%
Potato(1kg)
$0.91β½66.7
$1.40ΰΈΏ45.70
-35.00%
Onion(1kg)
$0.72β½52.8
$1.17ΰΈΏ38.17
-38.46%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.34β½98.1
$0.66ΰΈΏ21.60
103.03%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.71β½51.5
$0.53ΰΈΏ17.22
33.96%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.99β½218
$4.69ΰΈΏ153
-36.25%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.14β½813
$18.66ΰΈΏ609
-40.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.94β½68.9
$1.80ΰΈΏ58.8
-47.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.92β½140
$3.23ΰΈΏ106
-40.56%
π Getting Around
Vladikavkaz
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.40β½29.18
$0.90ΰΈΏ29.26
-55.56%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$19.21ΰΈΏ628
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.25β½90.9
$1.41ΰΈΏ45.91
-11.35%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.22β½16.00
$1.29ΰΈΏ42.12
-82.95%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.45β½471
$7.84ΰΈΏ256
-17.73%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.80β½58.4
$1.27ΰΈΏ41.58
-37.01%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.0Kβ½2.5M
$21.3KΰΈΏ694.9K
59.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.9Kβ½2.6M
$22.2KΰΈΏ725.4K
61.60%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Vladikavkaz
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$109β½7,975
$69.1ΰΈΏ2,256
58.19%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.94β½434
$14.08ΰΈΏ460
-57.81%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.75β½566
$18.00ΰΈΏ588
-56.94%
π Sport & Entertainment
Vladikavkaz
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$38.63β½2,820
$41.06ΰΈΏ1,341
-5.92%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.52β½914
$6.96ΰΈΏ227
79.89%
Cinema Ticket
$6.42β½469
$5.92ΰΈΏ193
8.45%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Vladikavkaz
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$328β½23.9K
$299ΰΈΏ9,766
9.72%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,074β½516.3K
$15.0KΰΈΏ488.3K
-52.69%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Vladikavkaz
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$69.7β½5,090
$54.7ΰΈΏ1,787
27.48%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.09β½3,291
$26.77ΰΈΏ874
68.43%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$116β½8,455
$85.0ΰΈΏ2,776
36.30%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$105β½7,654
$70.6ΰΈΏ2,306
48.53%
π Accommodation & Living
Vladikavkaz
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$427β½31.2K
$428ΰΈΏ14.0K
-0.33%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$340β½24.8K
$237ΰΈΏ7,752
43.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$723β½52.8K
$801ΰΈΏ26.2K
-9.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$540β½39.4K
$515ΰΈΏ16.8K
4.82%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,549β½113.0K
$1,975ΰΈΏ64.5K
-21.57%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,026β½147.8K
$1,475ΰΈΏ48.2K
37.33%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Vladikavkaz
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$446β½32.6K
$617ΰΈΏ20.2K
-27.70%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
14.33
5
186.60%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Vladikavkaz: May 30, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $427 in Vladikavkaz 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 38% higher in Chiang Mai, which reinforces the cost advantage β you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $38.00 in Vladikavkaz versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story β $213 in Vladikavkaz vs $246 in Chiang Mai β so Vladikavkaz wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated March 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Vladikavkaz vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Vladikavkaz or Chiang Mai?
Vladikavkaz costs about 16% more than Chiang Mai, with the gap driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear. 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 Vladikavkaz vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,513 per month in Vladikavkaz and $1,300 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Vladikavkaz 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 dining costs compare in Vladikavkaz vs Chiang Mai?
Are groceries more expensive in Vladikavkaz or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 16% cheaper in Vladikavkaz β 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 Vladikavkaz or Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Chiang Mai, where all-in costs run around $866, than in Vladikavkaz at $1,008. In Chiang Mai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Vladikavkaz it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Vladikavkaz or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $866 versus $1,008 in Vladikavkaz. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Vladikavkaz 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 Vladikavkaz or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Vladikavkaz makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Vladikavkaz vs other spots: cost of living compared