😐A single person spends $847 per month in Chiang Mai vs $398 in Larkana, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,332 per month in Chiang Mai vs $587 in Larkana, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,816 per month in Chiang Mai vs $776 in Larkana, rent included.
😐Chiang Mai costs about 113% more than Larkana, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Chiang Mai and Larkana are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai37% lower, Larkana70% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Larkana
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.03฿68.4
$1.73PKR 479
17.34%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.71฿631
$10.81PKR 3,001
73.08%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.84฿264
$4.21PKR 1,169
86.22%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.73PKR 480
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.59PKR 997
-
Cappuccino
$1.93฿65.0
$1.50PKR 416
28.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.83฿28.01
$0.32PKR 88.1
159.38%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35฿11.81
$0.23PKR 64.0
52.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.22฿74.8
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.79฿128
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Larkana
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.65฿55.5
$0.77PKR 215
114.29%
White Bread(500g)
$1.55฿52.3
$0.60PKR 168
158.33%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18฿39.82
$1.16PKR 321
1.72%
Eggs
$2.01฿67.9
$1.16PKR 323
73.28%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.16฿545
$5.85PKR 1,625
176.24%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.03฿102
$2.64PKR 732
14.77%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.84฿365
$3.65PKR 1,012
196.99%
Apples(1kg)
$2.68฿90.3
$1.01PKR 279
165.35%
Banana(1kg)
$1.22฿41.16
$0.66PKR 183
84.85%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.63฿54.8
$0.62PKR 172
162.90%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.53฿51.5
$0.52PKR 144
194.23%
Potato(1kg)
$1.34฿45.13
$0.38PKR 104
252.63%
Onion(1kg)
$1.21฿40.88
$0.51PKR 141
137.25%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.70฿23.65
$0.33PKR 92.4
112.12%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53฿17.71
$0.34PKR 94.2
55.88%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
-
$1.61PKR 446
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.93PKR 257
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.95PKR 542
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.69฿158
$1.99PKR 553
135.68%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.71฿597
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.85฿62.2
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.21฿108
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Larkana
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.89฿30.03
$0.16PKR 44.09
456.25%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.76฿632
$6.99PKR 1,941
168.38%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.41฿47.43
$0.86PKR 238
63.95%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.29฿43.54
$0.44PKR 121
193.18%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.79฿263
$1.75PKR 487
345.14%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.29฿43.61
$0.99PKR 274
30.30%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.8K฿733.8K
$21.2KPKR 5.9M
2.44%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.7K฿731.2K
$22.8KPKR 6.3M
-4.84%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Larkana
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.0฿2,359
$102PKR 28.3K
-31.26%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.19฿478
$4.18PKR 1,160
239.47%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.42฿587
$13.99PKR 3,884
24.52%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Larkana
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.64฿1,404
$12.20PKR 3,388
241.31%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.89฿232
$5.85PKR 1,623
17.78%
Cinema Ticket
$5.78฿195
$3.59PKR 996
61.00%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Larkana
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$300฿10.1K
$29.76PKR 8,264
907.33%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.5K฿489.5K
$1,096PKR 304.4K
1224.55%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Larkana
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.4฿1,866
$15.31PKR 4,252
261.59%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.31฿887
$22.43PKR 6,226
17.30%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.8฿2,860
$68.5PKR 19.0K
23.80%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$70.5฿2,376
$28.86PKR 8,014
144.21%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Larkana
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$425฿14.3K
$74.7PKR 20.7K
469.21%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$235฿7,924
$52.9PKR 14.7K
344.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$802฿27.0K
$170PKR 47.1K
373.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$516฿17.4K
$108PKR 29.9K
378.19%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,926฿64.9K
$919PKR 255.2K
109.57%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,451฿48.9K
$496PKR 137.6K
192.66%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Larkana
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$586฿19.8K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
19
-73.68%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: July 20, 2026
Last update for Larkana: July 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $425 in Chiang Mai versus $74.7 in Larkana. 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 $11.00 in Larkana. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $242 vs $86.0 – making Larkana 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 Larkana: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Larkana?
Chiang Mai costs about 113% more than Larkana, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Chiang Mai and in Larkana?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,271 per month in Chiang Mai and $597 in Larkana. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Larkana?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Larkana, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Chiang Mai and in Larkana?
Kindergarten costs $300 per month in Chiang Mai and $29.76 in Larkana. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Chiang Mai or in Larkana?
Groceries cost about 181% 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.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Chiang Mai or in Larkana?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $847 in Chiang Mai and $398 in Larkana, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Larkana?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Larkana costs $398 versus $847 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Larkana?
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.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or to Larkana?
If budget matters most, go with Larkana. 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.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared