Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Mandi Bahauddin Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Mandi Bahauddin

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $932 per month in Chiang Mai vs $399 in Mandi Bahauddin, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,399 per month in Chiang Mai vs $616 in Mandi Bahauddin, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $832 in Mandi Bahauddin, rent included.

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

Both Chiang Mai and Mandi Bahauddin are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 32% lower, Mandi Bahauddin 71% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.08 ฿69.3

$1.85 PKR 512

12.43%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.61 ฿653

$8.95 PKR 2,478

119.11%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.67 ฿189

$4.46 PKR 1,235

27.13%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.59 PKR 716

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.18 PKR 605

Cappuccino

$1.81 ฿60.1

$1.06 PKR 293

70.75%

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

$0.77 ฿25.58

$0.45 PKR 124

71.11%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.49

$0.26 PKR 72.4

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

$0.73 PKR 203

180.82%

White Bread (500g)

$1.51 ฿50.4

$0.41 PKR 115

268.29%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.40 ฿46.57

$1.27 PKR 350

10.24%

Eggs

$2.26 ฿75.2

$1.24 PKR 344

82.26%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.19 ฿539

$8.72 PKR 2,414

85.67%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.90 ฿96.4

$2.51 PKR 695

15.54%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.42 ฿314

$3.90 PKR 1,080

141.54%

Apples (1kg)

$2.68 ฿89.2

$1.07 PKR 297

150.47%

Banana (1kg)

$1.09 ฿36.28

$0.66 PKR 182

65.15%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.62 ฿53.8

$0.57 PKR 159

184.21%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.46 ฿48.61

$0.50 PKR 139

192.00%

Potato (1kg)

$1.28 ฿42.54

$0.31 PKR 86.3

312.90%

Onion (1kg)

$1.06 ฿35.21

$0.52 PKR 145

103.85%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 ฿23.88

$0.50 PKR 139

44.00%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 ฿17.51

$0.39 PKR 109

35.90%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$0.52 PKR 144

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 PKR 147

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.70 PKR 194

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.23 ฿141

$2.36 PKR 653

79.24%

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

$0.20 PKR 54.8

340.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$53.8 ฿1,790

$10.36 PKR 2,869

419.02%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.17 ฿39.04

$1.05 PKR 292

11.43%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.58 ฿19.25

$1.05 PKR 292

-44.76%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.39 ฿79.4

$2.91 PKR 807

-17.87%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.45 ฿48.28

$1.15 PKR 317

26.09%

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

$21.0K ฿699.5K

$23.7K PKR 6.6M

-11.40%

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

$26.4K ฿879.7K

$22.9K PKR 6.3M

15.43%

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

$63.7 ฿2,119

$66.7 PKR 18.5K

-4.56%

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

$12.89 ฿429

$5.57 PKR 1,543

131.42%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.52 ฿683

$14.72 PKR 4,078

39.40%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$39.02 ฿1,299

$14.51 PKR 4,019

168.92%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.92 ฿130

Cinema Ticket

$6.58 ฿219

$7.35 PKR 2,036

-10.48%

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

$784 ฿26.1K

$26.86 PKR 7,439

2818.43%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.7K ฿488.4K

$1,988 PKR 550.7K

637.98%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.1 ฿1,835

$18.84 PKR 5,218

192.52%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.74 ฿824

$26.73 PKR 7,404

-7.44%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.1 ฿3,133

$54.8 PKR 15.2K

71.69%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$74.0 ฿2,462

$29.36 PKR 8,131

151.91%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$490 ฿16.3K

$138 PKR 38.2K

255.79%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$288 ฿9,594

$79.0 PKR 21.9K

264.84%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$891 ฿29.7K

$260 PKR 72.1K

242.49%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$521 ฿17.3K

$142 PKR 39.3K

267.35%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,974 ฿65.7K

$905 PKR 250.7K

118.06%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,444 ฿48.1K

$591 PKR 163.6K

144.55%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$602 ฿20.0K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

11.83

-52.92%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 13, 2026

Last update for Mandi Bahauddin: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $490 in Chiang Mai versus $138 in Mandi Bahauddin. 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 $9.00 in Mandi Bahauddin. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $241 vs $95.0 – making Mandi Bahauddin 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 Mandi Bahauddin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 133% more than Mandi Bahauddin, 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 $599 in Mandi Bahauddin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Mandi Bahauddin, 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 $26.86 in Mandi Bahauddin. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 155% 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 $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Mandi Bahauddin, where all-in costs run around $399, than in Chiang Mai at $932. In Mandi Bahauddin 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. Mandi Bahauddin costs $399 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 Mandi Bahauddin. 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.