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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $325 in Jhelum, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,351 per month in Chiang Mai vs $512 in Jhelum, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,835 per month in Chiang Mai vs $700 in Jhelum, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 167% more than Jhelum, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Jhelum are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 35% lower, Jhelum 76% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.94 ฿63.6

$1.78 PKR 496

8.99%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.64 ฿609

$10.47 PKR 2,911

78.03%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.82 ฿256

$3.58 PKR 996

118.44%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.90 PKR 806

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.90 PKR 1,363

Cappuccino

$1.95 ฿63.9

$1.51 PKR 419

29.14%

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

$0.85 ฿27.80

$0.33 PKR 91.9

157.58%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.60

$0.24 PKR 67.0

45.83%

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

$0.56 PKR 156

205.36%

White Bread (500g)

$1.63 ฿53.3

$0.59 PKR 165

176.27%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.14 ฿37.18

$1.26 PKR 351

-9.52%

Eggs

$1.93 ฿63.2

$1.15 PKR 320

67.83%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.21 ฿530

$5.06 PKR 1,408

220.36%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.12 ฿102

$2.38 PKR 662

31.09%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.90 ฿356

$3.07 PKR 854

255.05%

Apples (1kg)

$2.75 ฿90.1

$1.03 PKR 287

166.99%

Banana (1kg)

$1.21 ฿39.56

$0.54 PKR 151

124.07%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.62 ฿53.0

$0.63 PKR 175

157.14%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.59 ฿51.9

$0.51 PKR 142

211.76%

Potato (1kg)

$1.40 ฿45.75

$0.35 PKR 96.9

300.00%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ฿38.20

$0.55 PKR 154

112.73%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 ฿21.62

$0.19 PKR 51.5

247.37%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 ฿17.24

$0.22 PKR 61.2

140.91%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$1.01 PKR 282

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.73 PKR 204

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.98 PKR 550

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.69 ฿153

$0.84 PKR 235

458.33%

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

$0.18 PKR 51.0

400.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.21 ฿628

$6.92 PKR 1,924

177.60%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.41 ฿45.96

$1.07 PKR 299

31.78%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.29 ฿42.16

$0.53 PKR 148

143.40%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.84 ฿256

$1.79 PKR 497

337.99%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 ฿41.62

$0.97 PKR 269

30.93%

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

$21.3K ฿695.5K

$22.2K PKR 6.2M

-4.25%

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

$22.2K ฿726.1K

$20.8K PKR 5.8M

6.64%

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

$69.1 ฿2,258

$52.9 PKR 14.7K

30.52%

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

$14.08 ฿460

$2.87 PKR 799

390.59%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.00 ฿588

$13.02 PKR 3,623

38.25%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.06 ฿1,342

$12.58 PKR 3,500

226.39%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.96 ฿227

$5.85 PKR 1,628

18.97%

Cinema Ticket

$5.92 ฿193

$3.44 PKR 957

72.09%

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

$299 ฿9,775

$17.79 PKR 4,950

1580.89%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.0K ฿488.8K

$1,111 PKR 309.1K

1245.54%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.7 ฿1,788

$16.17 PKR 4,498

238.28%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.77 ฿875

$22.32 PKR 6,210

19.94%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.0 ฿2,778

$59.8 PKR 16.6K

42.10%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$70.6 ฿2,308

$26.22 PKR 7,294

169.26%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$428 ฿14.0K

$74.5 PKR 20.7K

474.57%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$237 ฿7,759

$52.4 PKR 14.6K

352.77%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$801 ฿26.2K

$164 PKR 45.5K

389.67%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$515 ฿16.9K

$108 PKR 29.9K

379.43%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,975 ฿64.5K

$851 PKR 236.6K

132.11%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,475 ฿48.2K

$454 PKR 126.3K

224.94%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$617 ฿20.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

-72.22%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026

Last update for Jhelum: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $428 in Chiang Mai versus $74.5 in Jhelum. 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 $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $10.00 in Jhelum. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $246 vs $76.0 – making Jhelum 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 Jhelum: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 167% more than Jhelum, 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 $487 in Jhelum. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Jhelum, 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 $17.79 in Jhelum. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 222% 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.

$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $866 in Chiang Mai and $325 in Jhelum, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Jhelum costs $325 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 Jhelum. 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.