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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $647 per month in Zugdidi vs $861 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,029 per month in Zugdidi vs $1,350 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,410 per month in Zugdidi vs $1,838 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Zugdidi is about 25% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Zugdidi and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Zugdidi 52% lower, Chiang Mai 36% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Zugdidi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.88 ₾28.52
$1.96 ฿65.8
455.10%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$29.03 ₾76.1
$18.35 ฿617
58.20%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.58 ₾14.63
$7.48 ฿252
-25.40%
Cappuccino
$3.10 ₾8.12
$2.02 ฿67.8
53.47%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.55 ₾1.45
$0.85 ฿28.50
-35.29%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.25 ₾0.65
$0.36 ฿11.96
-30.56%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.22 ₾5.83
$2.14 ฿71.8
3.74%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.85 ₾7.48
$3.59 ฿121
-20.61%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Zugdidi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.96 ₾5.15
$1.65 ฿55.5
18.79%
White Bread (500g)
$0.71 ₾1.86
$1.57 ฿52.7
-54.78%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.89 ₾4.95
$1.19 ฿40.02
58.82%
Eggs
$2.55 ₾6.69
$1.94 ฿65.1
31.44%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.48 ₾19.62
$16.19 ฿544
-53.80%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.42 ₾16.84
$2.99 ฿101
114.72%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.68 ₾25.38
$10.94 ฿368
-11.52%
Apples (1kg)
$1.22 ₾3.19
$2.71 ฿91.2
-54.98%
Banana (1kg)
$1.57 ₾4.11
$1.17 ฿39.25
34.19%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.88 ₾4.93
$1.69 ฿56.7
11.24%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.25 ₾5.89
$1.60 ฿54.0
40.62%
Potato (1kg)
$0.70 ₾1.85
$1.38 ฿46.54
-49.28%
Onion (1kg)
$0.68 ₾1.77
$1.20 ฿40.45
-43.33%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.22 ₾3.21
$0.67 ฿22.50
82.09%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.46 ₾1.20
$0.56 ฿18.73
-17.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.06 ₾8.02
$4.64 ฿156
-34.05%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.46 ₾19.56
$17.62 ฿593
-57.66%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.55 ₾4.06
$1.86 ฿62.5
-16.67%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.31 ₾6.06
$3.30 ฿111
-30.00%
🚌 Getting Around
Zugdidi
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.16 ₾0.43
$0.88 ฿29.68
-81.82%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$19.34 ฿650
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.43 ₾3.76
$1.36 ฿45.90
5.15%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.68 ₾1.78
$1.34 ฿44.98
-49.25%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.13 ₾18.71
$8.21 ฿276
-13.15%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.87 ₾2.27
$1.22 ฿41.18
-28.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.2K ₾45.2K
$21.4K ฿718.1K
-19.28%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.2K ₾53.0K
$22.5K ฿757.7K
-10.38%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Zugdidi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$72.9 ₾191
$70.7 ฿2,376
3.16%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.61 ₾30.45
$14.04 ฿472
-17.31%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.50 ₾45.89
$17.49 ฿588
0.06%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Zugdidi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$23.36 ₾61.3
$42.15 ฿1,417
-44.58%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.88 ฿231
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.62 ₾12.11
$5.92 ฿199
-21.96%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Zugdidi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$264 ₾692
$309 ฿10.4K
-14.46%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,115 ₾13.4K
$14.9K ฿500.4K
-65.62%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Zugdidi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$21.75 ₾57.0
$55.8 ฿1,875
-60.99%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.08 ₾116
$26.11 ฿878
68.82%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$118 ₾310
$83.0 ฿2,792
42.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$110 ₾289
$70.5 ฿2,369
56.62%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Zugdidi
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$432 ฿14.5K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$239 ฿8,035
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$822 ฿27.7K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$512 ฿17.2K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$1,915 ฿64.4K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,467 ฿49.3K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Zugdidi
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$262 ₾688
$579 ฿19.5K
-54.72%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.89
5
137.80%

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

Last update for Zugdidi: July 12, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 121% higher in Chiang Mai, 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 $29.00 in Zugdidi versus $18.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $203 in Zugdidi vs $243 in Chiang Mai – so Zugdidi 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
Zugdidi vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Zugdidi or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 33% more than Zugdidi, 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 Zugdidi and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $970 per month in Zugdidi and $1,292 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do dining costs compare in Zugdidi and in Chiang Mai?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $29.00 in Zugdidi and $18.00 in Chiang Mai. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Zugdidi or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 20% more in Chiang Mai, 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 $800/month in Zugdidi or in Chiang Mai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $647 in Zugdidi and $861 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Zugdidi or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Zugdidi costs $647 versus $861 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Zugdidi 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 Zugdidi or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Zugdidi. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chiang Mai makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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