Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chiang Mai and Pattoki

For one person, living is cheaper in Pattoki: $507 a month against $935 in Chiang Mai, rent and utilities included – about $5,100 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Chiang Mai, Thailand
Pattoki, Pakistan
Chiang Mai
🇹🇭 Thailand
$935
/mo nomad
Pattoki
🇵🇰 Pakistan
$507
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chiang Mai and in Pattoki

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Chiang Mai and in Pattoki actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $935 per month in Chiang Mai vs $507 in Pattoki, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $935
  • Pattoki $507

A couple spends around $1,467 per month in Chiang Mai vs $741 in Pattoki, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,467
  • Pattoki $741

A family of three spends $1,999 per month in Chiang Mai vs $976 in Pattoki, rent included.

  • Chiang Mai $1,999
  • Pattoki $976

Chiang Mai costs about 84% more than Pattoki, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Chiang Mai and Pattoki are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Pattoki 62% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Pattoki
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.13 ฿71.8
$2.57 PKR 710
-17.12%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.62 ฿626
$10.67 PKR 2,950
74.51%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.60 ฿188
$5.57 PKR 1,541
0.54%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.76 PKR 765
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$5.36 PKR 1,483
-
Cappuccino
$1.66 ฿55.9
$1.83 PKR 507
-9.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.65 ฿21.75
$0.30 PKR 84.1
116.67%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.30 ฿10.25
$0.15 PKR 42.51
100.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.32 ฿78.1
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.67 ฿123
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Pattoki
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.02 ฿67.8
$0.73 PKR 202
176.71%
White Bread (500g)
$1.41 ฿47.34
$0.51 PKR 141
176.47%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.39 ฿46.79
$1.07 PKR 297
29.91%
Eggs
$2.37 ฿79.6
$1.14 PKR 316
107.89%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.52 ฿555
$6.63 PKR 1,835
149.17%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.67 ฿89.8
$2.52 PKR 697
5.95%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.02 ฿303
$4.42 PKR 1,224
104.07%
Apples (1kg)
$2.40 ฿80.6
$0.89 PKR 247
169.66%
Banana (1kg)
$1.04 ฿35.01
$0.50 PKR 138
108.00%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.66 ฿55.8
$0.70 PKR 194
137.14%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.56 ฿52.4
$0.57 PKR 158
173.68%
Potato (1kg)
$1.24 ฿41.61
$0.39 PKR 109
217.95%
Onion (1kg)
$1.09 ฿36.53
$0.43 PKR 119
153.49%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.76 ฿25.61
$0.50 PKR 139
52.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51 ฿17.29
$0.37 PKR 103
37.84%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
-
$1.79 PKR 497
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.07 PKR 295
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.38 PKR 657
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.12 ฿139
$2.21 PKR 612
86.43%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.93 ฿603
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.62 ฿54.6
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.82 ฿94.9
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Pattoki
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.93 ฿31.42
$0.15 PKR 42.63
520.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$52.9 ฿1,778
$9.69 PKR 2,680
445.82%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.18 ฿39.56
$1.46 PKR 404
-19.18%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.17 ฿5.76
$0.34 PKR 95.0
-50.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.81 ฿60.9
$0.86 PKR 238
110.47%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.47 ฿49.51
$1.16 PKR 320
26.72%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.0K ฿706.4K
$25.3K PKR 7.0M
-16.84%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5K ฿891.4K
$23.0K PKR 6.4M
15.44%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Pattoki
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$62.6 ฿2,103
$142 PKR 39.2K
-55.81%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.60 ฿390
$4.98 PKR 1,378
132.93%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.30 ฿683
$19.20 PKR 5,311
5.73%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Pattoki
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.88 ฿1,274
$14.73 PKR 4,075
157.16%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.70 ฿124
$8.11 PKR 2,245
-54.38%
Cinema Ticket
$6.51 ฿219
$4.39 PKR 1,215
48.29%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Pattoki
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$727 ฿24.4K
$42.98 PKR 11.9K
1591.51%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.6K ฿557.2K
$1,004 PKR 277.8K
1550.18%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Pattoki
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.5 ฿1,800
$17.95 PKR 4,966
198.27%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.80 ฿834
$19.10 PKR 5,283
29.84%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$90.4 ฿3,039
$94.5 PKR 26.1K
-4.30%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$72.0 ฿2,420
$26.04 PKR 7,204
176.38%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Pattoki
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$481 ฿16.2K
$134 PKR 37.0K
260.03%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$310 ฿10.4K
$83.9 PKR 23.2K
269.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,058 ฿35.6K
$271 PKR 74.9K
290.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$659 ฿22.1K
$177 PKR 49.0K
272.00%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,418 ฿81.3K
$830 PKR 229.7K
191.15%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,609 ฿54.1K
$495 PKR 137.0K
224.96%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Pattoki
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$595 ฿20.0K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.57
13
-57.15%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: November 1, 2026

Last update for Pattoki: November 3, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
$310
Pattoki
$84 72.9% $226
Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
$237
Pattoki
$89 62.5% $148
Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
$108
Pattoki
$71 34.6% $37
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
$94
Pattoki
$166 75.5% $71
Eating Out
Chiang Mai
$77
Pattoki
$61 20.2% $15
Getting Around
Chiang Mai
$59
Pattoki
$13 77% $45
Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
$51
Pattoki
$24 53.8% $27

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $481 in Chiang Mai versus $134 in Pattoki. 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 in Chiang Mai versus $11 in Pattoki. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $237 vs $89 – making Pattoki the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇹🇭 Chiang Mai
🇵🇰 Pattoki
🕒 Local time
08:10 8:10 AM
06:10 6:10 AM
2 h behind Chiang Mai
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
127,240
87,737
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

PKR, USD, EUR to THB – Thai Baht Converter

Thai Baht exchange rates as of November 5, 2026: 1 USD = 33.62 THB (100 THB = 2.97 USD). 1 EUR = 37.85 THB (100 THB = 2.64 EUR).

Pakistani Rupee exchange rates as of November 5, 2026: 1 USD = 277 PKR (1,000 PKR = 3.61 USD). 1 EUR = 311 PKR (1,000 PKR = 3.21 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Chiang Mai Pattoki 2,870 km ≈ 4 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Chiang Mai
  • Pattoki

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Pattoki: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Pattoki?
Chiang Mai costs about 84% more than Pattoki, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. 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 Pattoki?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,403 per month in Chiang Mai and $761 in Pattoki. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Pattoki?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Pattoki, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $134 there versus $481 in Chiang Mai.
How do childcare costs compare in Chiang Mai and in Pattoki?
Kindergarten costs $727 per month in Chiang Mai and $43 in Pattoki. 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 Pattoki?
Groceries cost about 167% more in Chiang Mai, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Pattoki – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
For expats, Pattoki is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 46% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.

Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?