Cost of Living: Chiang Mai vs Tbilisi (2026)
Thailand vs Georgia — relocation comparison
- VAT-free under €46k
- €350/yr accountant
- VAT-free under €33k
- 2% social
- €350/yr accountant
Sourced from Numbeo · Updated April 2026
Sources: Numbeo · UNODC · Ookla · WHO · EIU · World Bank · Freedom House · Updated April 2026
Sun
How much sky you actually get
Sun clocks out early in Tbilisi's winter. Plan accordingly.
Source: WeatherSpark (clear-sky share of daytime hours)
Settler Essentials
Visa stamps:Easy <90 daysModerate 3–6 moComplex 6+ mo
Sources: EIU · Freedom House · Startup Genome · IEA · official immigration portals
Reproductive Rights
Because your body shouldn't need a visa too
On request up to 12 weeks since 2021. Between 12-20 weeks with counseling.
On request up to 12 weeks. 2024 anti-LGBTQ legislation worsened overall rights climate.
Source: Center for Reproductive Rights
LGBTQ+ Rights
Can you hold hands without doing a risk assessment first
Rainbow Index source: ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map (European cities) / Equaldex Equality Index (elsewhere) — two distinct scales
The Short Version
- •Rent is 32% cheaper in Chiang Mai ($463/mo vs $681/mo for a 1BR city centre).
- •Summers are slightly warmer in Chiang Mai (31°C vs 29°C).
- •Tbilisi is safer by homicide rate (2.3 vs 4.8 per 100k).
- •Chiang Mai scores higher on democracy (6.3 vs 4.7 / 10 EIU).
- •Street-level English is easier in Tbilisi (39/100 vs 7/100).
Chiang Mai vs Tbilisi — Common Questions
Is Chiang Mai cheaper than Tbilisi?▾
Chiang Mai is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $463/month there vs $681/month in the other city (Numbeo data).
Which is safer, Chiang Mai or Tbilisi?▾
Tbilisi is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Chiang Mai has a rate of 4.79 per 100,000 and Tbilisi has 2.33 per 100,000.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or Tbilisi?▾
Chiang Mai and Tbilisi are almost suspiciously well-matched. Flip a coin. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.
Is it easier to get residency in Chiang Mai or Tbilisi?▾
Chiang Mai: Thailand LTR Visa (complex process, 10 years). Tbilisi: Remotely from Georgia (easy to get, Up to 1 year). See each city's profile page for full requirements.
Which has better weather, Chiang Mai or Tbilisi?▾
Chiang Mai is warmer in summer (31°C vs 29°C). Tbilisi has milder summers, which suits those who prefer cooler weather. Climate preference is personal — use the weather section above to compare seasons.
Can I live in Chiang Mai or Tbilisi without speaking the local language?▾
Tbilisi is easier for street-level English (39/100) than Chiang Mai (7/100). That's the score that matters for doctors, landlords, and bureaucracy. Office English can still run higher than street English in both cities.
What's the cost of rent in Chiang Mai vs Tbilisi?▾
A 1-bedroom in the centre: $463/month in Chiang Mai, $681/month in Tbilisi (Numbeo). That's 32% cheaper rent in Chiang Mai.
Is Chiang Mai or Tbilisi better for democracy and rule of law?▾
Chiang Mai scores 6.3/10 on the EIU Democracy Index vs 4.7/10 for Tbilisi. Both are functional democracies, though the gap matters if you're planning to stay long enough to care about local politics.
Is healthcare better in Chiang Mai or Tbilisi?▾
Chiang Mai scores higher on our composite healthcare index (73/100 vs 63/100 for Tbilisi). That score combines clinical outcomes (IHME), universal coverage (WHO), and resident perception (Numbeo) — not just whether hospitals exist but whether the system actually works for settlers.
Plot twist: other matchups exist
Maybe the real city was the comparisons we made along the way.
Compare Chiang Mai
Bangkok vs Chiang Mai
Compare Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai vs Phuket
Compare Tbilisi
Tbilisi vs Batumi
Let the algorithm judge you
2 min quiz — surprisingly accurate
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