Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Daska

For one person, living is cheaper in Daska: $533 a month against $935 in Chiang Mai, rent and utilities included – about $4,800 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

45

Cost of Living Index in Chiang Mai
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Chiang Mai Living Index
25

Cost of Living Index in Daska
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Daska Living Index

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Chiang Mai

🇹🇭 Thailand

$935

/mo nomad

Daska

🇵🇰 Pakistan

$533

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chiang Mai and in Daska

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Chiang Mai and in Daska actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $935 per month in Chiang Mai vs $533 in Daska, rent included.

Chiang Mai $935
Daska $533

A couple spends around $1,467 per month in Chiang Mai vs $824 in Daska, rent included.

Chiang Mai $1,467
Daska $824

A family of three spends $1,999 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,115 in Daska, rent included.

Chiang Mai $1,999
Daska $1,115

Chiang Mai costs about 75% more than Daska, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Chiang Mai and Daska are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Daska 61% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.13 ฿71.8

$3.66 PKR 1,011

-41.80%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.62 ฿626

$24.69 PKR 6,831

-24.58%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.60 ฿188

$5.44 PKR 1,506

2.94%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.68 PKR 1,019

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.05 PKR 1,951

Cappuccino

$1.66 ฿55.9

$2.67 PKR 739

-37.83%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.65 ฿21.75

$0.34 PKR 94.6

91.18%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.30 ฿10.25

$0.22 PKR 60.8

36.36%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.32 ฿78.1

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.67 ฿123

Milk (1 liter)

$2.02 ฿67.8

$0.95 PKR 262

112.63%

White Bread (500g)

$1.41 ฿47.34

$0.75 PKR 209

88.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.39 ฿46.79

$1.31 PKR 364

6.11%

Eggs

$2.37 ฿79.6

$1.26 PKR 348

88.10%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.52 ฿555

$6.07 PKR 1,679

172.16%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.67 ฿89.8

$2.93 PKR 810

-8.87%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.02 ฿303

$5.53 PKR 1,530

63.11%

Apples (1kg)

$2.40 ฿80.6

$1.33 PKR 367

80.45%

Banana (1kg)

$1.04 ฿35.01

$0.88 PKR 244

18.18%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.66 ฿55.8

$1.04 PKR 287

59.62%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.56 ฿52.4

$0.54 PKR 148

188.89%

Potato (1kg)

$1.24 ฿41.61

$0.28 PKR 76.7

342.86%

Onion (1kg)

$1.09 ฿36.53

$0.37 PKR 102

194.59%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.76 ฿25.61

$0.30 PKR 83.9

153.33%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 ฿17.29

$0.39 PKR 108

30.77%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$1.87 PKR 518

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.24 PKR 342

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.45 PKR 677

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.12 ฿139

$2.25 PKR 621

83.11%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.93 ฿603

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.62 ฿54.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.82 ฿94.9

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.93 ฿31.42

$0.17 PKR 48.03

447.06%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$52.9 ฿1,778

$9.56 PKR 2,644

453.24%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.18 ฿39.56

$1.25 PKR 346

-5.60%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.17 ฿5.76

$0.70 PKR 194

-75.71%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.81 ฿60.9

$1.61 PKR 446

12.42%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.47 ฿49.51

$1.39 PKR 386

5.76%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$21.0K ฿706.4K

$22.1K PKR 6.1M

-4.93%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.5K ฿891.4K

$23.5K PKR 6.5M

12.91%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$62.6 ฿2,103

$103 PKR 28.4K

-38.98%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$11.60 ฿390

$6.10 PKR 1,689

90.16%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.30 ฿683

$17.23 PKR 4,768

17.82%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.88 ฿1,274

$14.80 PKR 4,095

155.95%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.70 ฿124

$9.23 PKR 2,555

-59.91%

Cinema Ticket

$6.51 ฿219

$4.90 PKR 1,355

32.86%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$727 ฿24.4K

$43.41 PKR 12.0K

1574.75%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$16.6K ฿557.2K

$1,053 PKR 291.2K

1474.29%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.5 ฿1,800

$26.38 PKR 7,298

102.96%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.80 ฿834

$35.39 PKR 9,791

-29.92%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$90.4 ฿3,039

$97.8 PKR 27.1K

-7.59%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$72.0 ฿2,420

$41.36 PKR 11.4K

74.01%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$481 ฿16.2K

$117 PKR 32.4K

310.74%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$310 ฿10.4K

$94.6 PKR 26.2K

227.52%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,058 ฿35.6K

$308 PKR 85.2K

243.62%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$659 ฿22.1K

$160 PKR 44.1K

312.78%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,418 ฿81.3K

$734 PKR 203.0K

229.54%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,609 ฿54.1K

$507 PKR 140.1K

217.58%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$595 ฿20.0K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

13.08

-57.42%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: November 1, 2026

Last update for Daska: October 31, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Chiang Mai

$310 33.1%

Daska

$95 17.7% 69.5% $215

Groceries & Markets

Chiang Mai

$237 25.3%

Daska

$103 19.3% 56.5% $134

Clothing & Footwear

Chiang Mai

$108 11.6%

Daska

$90 17% 16.5% $18

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Chiang Mai

$94 10.1%

Daska

$126 23.6% 33.2% $31

Eating Out

Chiang Mai

$77 8.2%

Daska

$80 15% 4.3% $3.3

Getting Around

Chiang Mai

$59 6.3%

Daska

$15 2.8% 74.4% $44

Sport & Entertainment

Chiang Mai

$51 5.4%

Daska

$25 4.6% 51.7% $26

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $481 in Chiang Mai versus $117 in Daska. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $19 in Chiang Mai versus $25 in Daska. Groceries tell a different story – $237 in Chiang Mai vs $103 in Daska – so Daska wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know

🇹🇭 Chiang Mai

🇵🇰 Daska

🕒 Local time

20:23 8:23 PM

18:23 6:23 PM

2 h behind Chiang Mai

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

127,240

175,170

💱 Currency

Thai Baht THB ฿

Pakistani Rupee PKR ₨

📈 Exchange rate

100 THB = 2.97 USD

100 THB = 2.65 EUR

1,000 PKR = 3.61 USD

1,000 PKR = 3.22 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

PKR, USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

🇺🇸 United States Dollar ($)

🇹🇭 Thai Baht (฿)

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 4, 2026: 1 USD = 33.62 THB (100 THB = 2.97 USD). 1 EUR = 37.69 THB (100 THB = 2.65 EUR).

Pakistani Rupee exchange rates as of November 4, 2026: 1 USD = 277 PKR (1,000 PKR = 3.61 USD). 1 EUR = 310 PKR (1,000 PKR = 3.22 EUR).

USD to THB in detail →

On the map

Lowest

Highest

Between locations

Chiang Mai Daska 2,880 km ≈ 4 h nonstop flight

From you

Chiang Mai
Daska

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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

Chiang Mai vs Daska: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 75% more than Daska, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,403 per month in Chiang Mai and $800 in Daska. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Daska, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $117 there versus $481 in Chiang Mai.

Kindergarten costs $727 per month in Chiang Mai and $43 in Daska. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 130% more in Chiang Mai, though the gap depends on what you buy.

A $800 monthly budget goes further in Daska, where all-in costs run around $533, than in Chiang Mai at $935. In Daska it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Daska – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.