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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $932 per month in Chiang Mai vs $504 in Jhang, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,399 per month in Chiang Mai vs $745 in Jhang, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $987 in Jhang, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 85% more than Jhang, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Jhang are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 32% lower, Jhang 63% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.08 ฿69.3

$2.56 PKR 710

-18.75%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.61 ฿653

$14.39 PKR 3,984

36.28%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.67 ฿189

$5.74 PKR 1,589

-1.22%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.62 PKR 1,004

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.52 PKR 1,528

Cappuccino

$1.81 ฿60.1

$2.67 PKR 740

-32.21%

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

$0.77 ฿25.58

$0.43 PKR 118

79.07%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.49

$0.26 PKR 72.1

34.62%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 ฿73.7

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.79 ฿126

Milk (1 liter)

$2.05 ฿68.2

$0.88 PKR 243

132.95%

White Bread (500g)

$1.51 ฿50.4

$0.67 PKR 186

125.37%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.40 ฿46.57

$1.16 PKR 322

20.69%

Eggs

$2.26 ฿75.2

$1.16 PKR 321

94.83%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.19 ฿539

$6.42 PKR 1,779

152.18%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.90 ฿96.4

$2.52 PKR 697

15.08%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.42 ฿314

$4.83 PKR 1,339

95.03%

Apples (1kg)

$2.68 ฿89.2

$1.19 PKR 328

125.21%

Banana (1kg)

$1.09 ฿36.28

$0.69 PKR 190

57.97%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.62 ฿53.8

$0.90 PKR 248

80.00%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.46 ฿48.61

$0.66 PKR 182

121.21%

Potato (1kg)

$1.28 ฿42.54

$0.28 PKR 76.5

357.14%

Onion (1kg)

$1.06 ฿35.21

$0.33 PKR 90.2

221.21%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 ฿23.88

$0.46 PKR 128

56.52%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 ฿17.51

$0.34 PKR 93.2

55.88%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$1.11 PKR 308

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.61 PKR 170

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.71 PKR 474

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.23 ฿141

$2.11 PKR 585

100.47%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.29 ฿609

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.63 ฿54.3

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.90 ฿96.6

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.88 ฿29.24

$0.18 PKR 50.5

388.89%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$53.8 ฿1,790

$9.27 PKR 2,568

480.04%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.17 ฿39.04

$0.87 PKR 240

34.48%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.58 ฿19.25

$0.74 PKR 204

-21.62%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.39 ฿79.4

$1.77 PKR 490

35.03%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.45 ฿48.28

$1.32 PKR 364

9.85%

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

$21.0K ฿699.5K

$18.2K PKR 5.0M

15.37%

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

$26.4K ฿879.7K

$26.8K PKR 7.4M

-1.57%

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

$63.7 ฿2,119

$129 PKR 35.6K

-50.49%

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

$12.89 ฿429

$5.11 PKR 1,416

152.25%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.52 ฿683

$16.53 PKR 4,580

24.14%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$39.02 ฿1,299

$16.25 PKR 4,502

140.12%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.92 ฿130

Cinema Ticket

$6.58 ฿219

$4.21 PKR 1,167

56.29%

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

$784 ฿26.1K

$45.40 PKR 12.6K

1626.63%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.7K ฿488.4K

$1,938 PKR 536.7K

657.20%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.1 ฿1,835

$17.42 PKR 4,826

216.36%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.74 ฿824

$26.94 PKR 7,462

-8.17%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.1 ฿3,133

$73.8 PKR 20.4K

27.53%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$74.0 ฿2,462

$31.40 PKR 8,698

135.54%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$490 ฿16.3K

$131 PKR 36.2K

275.66%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$288 ฿9,594

$66.8 PKR 18.5K

331.16%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$891 ฿29.7K

$278 PKR 77.1K

220.28%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$521 ฿17.3K

$127 PKR 35.3K

308.95%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,974 ฿65.7K

$943 PKR 261.2K

109.29%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,444 ฿48.1K

$494 PKR 136.9K

192.23%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$602 ฿20.0K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

14.28

-60.99%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 13, 2026

Last update for Jhang: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $490 in Chiang Mai versus $131 in Jhang. 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 $20.00 in Chiang Mai versus $14.00 in Jhang. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $241 vs $95.0 – making Jhang 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 Jhang: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 85% more than Jhang, 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 $1,398 per month in Chiang Mai and $756 in Jhang. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Kindergarten costs $784 per month in Chiang Mai and $45.40 in Jhang. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 153% 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.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Jhang, where all-in costs run around $504, than in Chiang Mai at $932. In Jhang it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Jhang costs $504 versus $932 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 Jhang. 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.