Gothenburg vs Chiang Mai
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Chiang Mai is ~53% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Gothenburg
Sweden
COL+Rent
37
Rent Index
18.5
Groceries
47.7
Restaurant
45
Chiang Mai
Thailand
COL+Rent
17.3
Rent Index
7.2
Groceries
32
Restaurant
16.5
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Gothenburg | Chiang Mai | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $819 | $247 | +$572 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $644 | $156 | +$488 |
| Groceries | $271 | $187 | +$84 |
| Restaurant Meal | $14 | $4 | +$10 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $21 | +$54 |
| Utilities | $82 | $55 | +$27 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Gothenburg | Chiang Mai |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,047/mo | $379/mo |
| Typical | $1,457/mo | $570/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,844/mo | $704/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Gothenburg | ≈ in Chiang Mai | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $701/mo | -$799 |
| $2,000/mo | $935/mo | -$1,065 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,403/mo | -$1,597 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Gothenburg vs Chiang Mai for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Chiang Mai is approximately 53% more affordable than Gothenburg when combining rent and daily living costs. Gothenburg's COL+Rent Index of 37 vs Chiang Mai's 17.3 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Gothenburg costs $819/month versus $247/month in Chiang Mai — giving Chiang Mai a $572/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $6,864 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Gothenburg ($271/mo) vs Chiang Mai ($187/mo) reflect Chiang Mai's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $14 vs $4 show Chiang Mai offers cheaper dining. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Chiang Mai offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $570 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.