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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $932 per month in Chiang Mai vs $448 in Larkana, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,399 per month in Chiang Mai vs $665 in Larkana, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $881 in Larkana, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 108% more than Larkana, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Larkana are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 32% lower, Larkana 67% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Larkana
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.08 ฿69.2
$1.98 PKR 548
5.05%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.61 ฿652
$11.62 PKR 3,219
68.76%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.67 ฿189
$5.48 PKR 1,518
3.47%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.46 PKR 681
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.75 PKR 1,316
-
Cappuccino
$1.81 ฿60.0
$1.41 PKR 391
28.37%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77 ฿25.55
$0.35 PKR 97.5
120.00%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35 ฿11.48
$0.20 PKR 54.1
75.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.21 ฿73.6
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.79 ฿126
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Larkana
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.05 ฿68.1
$0.83 PKR 231
146.99%
White Bread (500g)
$1.51 ฿50.4
$0.55 PKR 151
174.55%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.40 ฿46.51
$1.22 PKR 338
14.75%
Eggs
$2.26 ฿75.1
$1.33 PKR 368
69.92%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.19 ฿538
$5.69 PKR 1,575
184.53%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.90 ฿96.3
$2.51 PKR 696
15.54%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.42 ฿313
$4.25 PKR 1,176
121.65%
Apples (1kg)
$2.68 ฿89.1
$1.23 PKR 340
117.89%
Banana (1kg)
$1.09 ฿36.23
$0.56 PKR 156
94.64%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.62 ฿53.8
$0.70 PKR 194
131.43%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.46 ฿48.55
$0.58 PKR 161
151.72%
Potato (1kg)
$1.28 ฿42.48
$0.31 PKR 86.7
312.90%
Onion (1kg)
$1.06 ฿35.17
$0.33 PKR 91.6
221.21%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.72 ฿23.85
$0.31 PKR 87.1
132.26%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53 ฿17.49
$0.32 PKR 87.5
65.63%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
-
$1.85 PKR 513
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.20 PKR 332
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.53 PKR 701
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.23 ฿141
$2.01 PKR 557
110.45%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.29 ฿608
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.63 ฿54.2
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90 ฿96.5
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Larkana
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.88 ฿29.20
$0.18 PKR 49.02
388.89%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$53.8 ฿1,788
$10.11 PKR 2,801
431.85%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.17 ฿38.99
$1.01 PKR 278
15.84%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.58 ฿19.22
$0.69 PKR 190
-15.94%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.39 ฿79.3
$1.69 PKR 469
41.42%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.45 ฿48.22
$1.01 PKR 279
43.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.0K ฿698.6K
$22.5K PKR 6.2M
-6.49%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.4K ฿878.6K
$22.9K PKR 6.4M
15.22%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Larkana
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$63.7 ฿2,116
$110 PKR 30.4K
-42.02%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.89 ฿429
$5.76 PKR 1,596
123.78%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.52 ฿682
$12.44 PKR 3,446
64.95%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Larkana
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$39.02 ฿1,297
$16.51 PKR 4,572
136.34%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.92 ฿130
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.58 ฿219
$4.30 PKR 1,191
53.02%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Larkana
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$784 ฿26.1K
$39.72 PKR 11.0K
1873.54%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.7K ฿487.9K
$946 PKR 262.1K
1450.78%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Larkana
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.1 ฿1,833
$15.93 PKR 4,412
245.95%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.74 ฿823
$19.79 PKR 5,482
25.01%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$94.1 ฿3,130
$78.1 PKR 21.6K
20.47%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.0 ฿2,459
$35.90 PKR 9,943
106.02%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Larkana
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$490 ฿16.3K
$114 PKR 31.5K
331.42%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$288 ฿9,582
$68.2 PKR 18.9K
322.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$891 ฿29.6K
$233 PKR 64.6K
282.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$521 ฿17.3K
$141 PKR 39.0K
269.78%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,974 ฿65.6K
$849 PKR 235.2K
132.38%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,444 ฿48.0K
$559 PKR 154.9K
158.25%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Larkana
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$602 ฿20.0K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
12.88
-56.75%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 13, 2026

Last update for Larkana: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $490 in Chiang Mai versus $114 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 $20.00 in Chiang Mai versus $12.00 in Larkana. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $241 vs $88.0 – 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 108% 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 $1,398 per month in Chiang Mai and $673 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 $784 per month in Chiang Mai and $39.72 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 173% 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 $1,500/month in Chiang Mai or in Larkana?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Larkana, where all-in costs run around $448, than in Chiang Mai at $932. In Larkana it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Larkana?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Larkana costs $448 versus $932 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.

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