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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $372 in Gujranwala, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,351 per month in Chiang Mai vs $562 in Gujranwala, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,835 per month in Chiang Mai vs $753 in Gujranwala, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 133% more than Gujranwala, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Gujranwala are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 35% lower, Gujranwala 72% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.94 ฿63.6

$0.54 PKR 151

259.26%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.64 ฿609

$13.89 PKR 3,863

34.20%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.82 ฿256

$5.15 PKR 1,433

51.84%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.92 PKR 255

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.96 PKR 1,100

Cappuccino

$1.95 ฿63.9

$1.31 PKR 365

48.85%

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

$0.85 ฿27.80

$0.22 PKR 61.3

286.36%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.60

$0.17 PKR 47.80

105.88%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.13 ฿69.7

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 ฿122

Milk (1 liter)

$1.71 ฿56.0

$0.73 PKR 202

134.25%

White Bread (500g)

$1.63 ฿53.3

$0.61 PKR 170

167.21%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.14 ฿37.18

$1.11 PKR 308

2.70%

Eggs

$1.93 ฿63.2

$1.14 PKR 316

69.30%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.21 ฿530

$6.17 PKR 1,717

162.72%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.12 ฿102

$2.50 PKR 695

24.80%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.90 ฿356

$4.02 PKR 1,120

171.14%

Apples (1kg)

$2.75 ฿90.1

$1.04 PKR 290

164.42%

Banana (1kg)

$1.21 ฿39.56

$0.66 PKR 184

83.33%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.62 ฿53.0

$0.87 PKR 243

86.21%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.59 ฿51.9

$0.49 PKR 136

224.49%

Potato (1kg)

$1.40 ฿45.75

$0.38 PKR 107

268.42%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ฿38.20

$0.42 PKR 116

178.57%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 ฿21.62

$0.33 PKR 92.8

100.00%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 ฿17.24

$0.34 PKR 95.8

55.88%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$1.85 PKR 515

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.88 PKR 244

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.03 PKR 566

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.69 ฿153

$2.06 PKR 574

127.67%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.66 ฿610

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.80 ฿58.8

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.23 ฿106

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.90 ฿29.28

$0.20 PKR 54.8

350.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.21 ฿628

$7.04 PKR 1,958

172.87%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.41 ฿45.96

$0.51 PKR 143

176.47%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.29 ฿42.16

$0.40 PKR 111

222.50%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.84 ฿256

$1.38 PKR 384

468.12%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 ฿41.62

$0.87 PKR 242

45.98%

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

$21.3K ฿695.5K

$20.9K PKR 5.8M

1.58%

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

$22.2K ฿726.1K

$14.3K PKR 4.0M

55.34%

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

$69.1 ฿2,258

$112 PKR 31.2K

-38.39%

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

$14.08 ฿460

$3.57 PKR 994

294.40%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.00 ฿588

$16.77 PKR 4,664

7.33%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.06 ฿1,342

$4.70 PKR 1,306

773.62%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.96 ฿227

$2.80 PKR 778

148.57%

Cinema Ticket

$5.92 ฿193

$3.34 PKR 930

77.25%

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

$299 ฿9,775

$16.54 PKR 4,600

1707.92%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.0K ฿488.8K

$837 PKR 232.9K

1685.65%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.7 ฿1,788

$12.31 PKR 3,423

344.35%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.77 ฿875

$24.62 PKR 6,849

8.73%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.0 ฿2,778

$90.1 PKR 25.1K

-5.70%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$70.6 ฿2,308

$21.32 PKR 5,932

231.14%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$428 ฿14.0K

$54.9 PKR 15.3K

680.62%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$237 ฿7,759

$19.18 PKR 5,336

1137.43%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$801 ฿26.2K

$115 PKR 32.1K

594.69%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$515 ฿16.9K

$55.8 PKR 15.5K

823.47%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,975 ฿64.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,475 ฿48.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$617 ฿20.2K

$237 PKR 66.0K

160.44%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

20.2

-75.25%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026

Last update for Gujranwala: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $428 in Chiang Mai versus $54.9 in Gujranwala. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 160% 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 $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $14.00 in Gujranwala. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $246 vs $88.0 – making Gujranwala the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 Gujranwala: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 133% more than Gujranwala, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,300 per month in Chiang Mai and $557 in Gujranwala. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Gujranwala, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $299 per month in Chiang Mai and $16.54 in Gujranwala. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 180% 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.

$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $866 in Chiang Mai and $372 in Gujranwala, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Gujranwala costs $372 versus $866 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Gujranwala. 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.