πA single person spends $1,013 per month in Zhukovsky vs $866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,586 per month in Zhukovsky vs $1,351 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,160 per month in Zhukovsky vs $1,835 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
πZhukovsky costs about 17% more than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Zhukovsky and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median β Zhukovsky24% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Zhukovsky
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.53β½924
$1.94ΰΈΏ63.6
545.88%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$50.2β½3,705
$18.64ΰΈΏ609
169.37%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.70β½273
$7.82ΰΈΏ256
-52.69%
Cappuccino
$2.53β½187
$1.95ΰΈΏ63.9
29.74%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.80β½59.2
$0.85ΰΈΏ27.80
-5.88%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36β½26.68
$0.35ΰΈΏ11.60
2.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.87β½138
$2.13ΰΈΏ69.7
-12.21%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.52β½186
$3.73ΰΈΏ122
-32.44%
π Groceries & Markets
Zhukovsky
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.87β½63.9
$1.71ΰΈΏ56.0
-49.12%
White Bread(500g)
$0.73β½53.8
$1.63ΰΈΏ53.3
-55.21%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.55β½114
$1.14ΰΈΏ37.18
35.96%
Eggs
$1.55β½114
$1.93ΰΈΏ63.2
-19.69%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.42β½621
$16.21ΰΈΏ530
-48.06%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.93β½364
$3.12ΰΈΏ102
58.01%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.76β½720
$10.90ΰΈΏ356
-10.46%
Apples(1kg)
$1.50β½111
$2.75ΰΈΏ90.1
-45.45%
Banana(1kg)
$1.24β½91.6
$1.21ΰΈΏ39.56
2.48%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.61β½119
$1.62ΰΈΏ53.0
-0.62%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.66β½123
$1.59ΰΈΏ51.9
4.40%
Potato(1kg)
$0.37β½27.07
$1.40ΰΈΏ45.75
-73.57%
Onion(1kg)
$0.55β½40.60
$1.17ΰΈΏ38.20
-52.99%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.24β½17.62
$0.66ΰΈΏ21.62
-63.64%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63β½46.37
$0.53ΰΈΏ17.24
18.87%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.98β½146
$4.69ΰΈΏ153
-57.78%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.42β½473
$18.66ΰΈΏ610
-65.59%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.13β½83.5
$1.80ΰΈΏ58.8
-37.22%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.34β½173
$3.23ΰΈΏ106
-27.55%
π Getting Around
Zhukovsky
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.52β½38.48
$0.90ΰΈΏ29.28
-42.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$15.31β½1,130
$19.21ΰΈΏ628
-20.30%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.88β½139
$1.41ΰΈΏ45.96
33.33%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.48β½35.37
$1.29ΰΈΏ42.16
-62.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.26β½609
$7.84ΰΈΏ256
5.36%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.67β½49.14
$1.27ΰΈΏ41.62
-47.24%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.3Kβ½2.2M
$21.3KΰΈΏ695.5K
37.83%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.7Kβ½2.7M
$22.2KΰΈΏ726.1K
65.16%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Zhukovsky
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$148β½10.9K
$69.1ΰΈΏ2,258
113.73%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.37β½470
$14.08ΰΈΏ460
-54.76%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$5.00β½369
$18.00ΰΈΏ588
-72.22%
π Sport & Entertainment
Zhukovsky
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$35.65β½2,630
$41.06ΰΈΏ1,342
-13.18%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.96ΰΈΏ227
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.78β½426
$5.92ΰΈΏ193
-2.36%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Zhukovsky
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$324β½23.9K
$299ΰΈΏ9,775
8.44%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,940β½512.1K
$15.0KΰΈΏ488.8K
-53.59%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Zhukovsky
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$87.2β½6,435
$54.7ΰΈΏ1,788
59.43%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.26β½2,307
$26.77ΰΈΏ875
16.77%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$108β½7,993
$85.0ΰΈΏ2,778
27.45%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$90.6β½6,687
$70.6ΰΈΏ2,308
28.36%
π Accommodation & Living
Zhukovsky
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$446β½32.9K
$428ΰΈΏ14.0K
4.05%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$299β½22.1K
$237ΰΈΏ7,759
26.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$750β½55.3K
$801ΰΈΏ26.2K
-6.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$501β½37.0K
$515ΰΈΏ16.9K
-2.79%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,455β½181.1K
$1,975ΰΈΏ64.5K
24.31%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,831β½135.1K
$1,475ΰΈΏ48.2K
24.15%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Zhukovsky
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$617ΰΈΏ20.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
15
5
200.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Zhukovsky: May 31, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $446 in Zhukovsky 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.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $50.0 in Zhukovsky versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story β $171 in Zhukovsky vs $246 in Chiang Mai β so Zhukovsky 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
Zhukovsky vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Zhukovsky or Chiang Mai?
Zhukovsky costs about 17% 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 Zhukovsky vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,519 per month in Zhukovsky 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, Zhukovsky 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 Zhukovsky and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $324 per month in Zhukovsky 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 Zhukovsky or Chiang Mai?
Interestingly, groceries are about 44% cheaper in Zhukovsky 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 Zhukovsky or Chiang Mai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably β all-in costs are $1,013 in Zhukovsky and $866 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Zhukovsky or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chiang Mai costs $866 versus $1,013 in Zhukovsky. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Zhukovsky 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 Zhukovsky or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Chiang Mai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Zhukovsky makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.