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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $348 in Quetta, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,354 per month in Chiang Mai vs $548 in Quetta, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,857 per month in Chiang Mai vs $747 in Quetta, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 145% more than Quetta, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Quetta are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 36% lower, Quetta 74% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.96 ฿64.0

$3.45 PKR 962

-43.19%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.81 ฿615

$10.48 PKR 2,922

79.48%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.92 ฿259

$4.53 PKR 1,264

74.83%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.81 PKR 503

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.55 PKR 433

Cappuccino

$1.91 ฿62.6

$1.66 PKR 463

15.06%

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

$0.84 ฿27.41

$0.46 PKR 128

82.61%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.51

$0.20 PKR 55.7

75.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 ฿72.1

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.80 ฿124

Milk (1 liter)

$1.64 ฿53.5

$0.68 PKR 190

141.18%

White Bread (500g)

$1.62 ฿53.1

$0.44 PKR 122

268.18%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.18 ฿38.62

$1.03 PKR 288

14.56%

Eggs

$2.01 ฿65.8

$1.13 PKR 314

77.88%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.89 ฿520

$6.18 PKR 1,723

157.12%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.01 ฿98.5

$2.59 PKR 721

16.22%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.77 ฿352

$4.21 PKR 1,174

155.82%

Apples (1kg)

$2.61 ฿85.5

$1.03 PKR 287

153.40%

Banana (1kg)

$1.22 ฿39.88

$0.52 PKR 146

134.62%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.70 ฿55.7

$0.56 PKR 156

203.57%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.58 ฿51.5

$0.51 PKR 143

209.80%

Potato (1kg)

$1.32 ฿43.14

$0.31 PKR 87.0

325.81%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ฿38.23

$0.50 PKR 140

134.00%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 ฿21.98

$0.35 PKR 98.1

91.43%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ฿18.32

$0.32 PKR 90.4

75.00%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$1.45 PKR 403

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.34 PKR 94.1

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.10 PKR 585

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.53 ฿148

$0.69 PKR 193

556.52%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.20 ฿595

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.83 ฿60.0

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.23 ฿106

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.89 ฿29.00

$0.18 PKR 50.3

394.44%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.38 ฿634

$5.42 PKR 1,512

257.56%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.35 ฿44.20

$0.37 PKR 102

264.86%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.35 ฿44.05

$0.65 PKR 182

107.69%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.25 ฿270

$1.82 PKR 507

353.30%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 ฿41.64

$0.96 PKR 268

32.29%

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

$21.2K ฿691.8K

$21.1K PKR 5.9M

0.12%

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

$22.5K ฿735.3K

$12.4K PKR 3.5M

80.73%

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

$70.2 ฿2,294

$53.8 PKR 15.0K

30.34%

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

$13.77 ฿450

$6.39 PKR 1,781

115.49%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.60 ฿575

$14.35 PKR 4,001

22.65%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.57 ฿1,360

$4.99 PKR 1,390

733.07%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.60 ฿216

$6.00 PKR 1,673

10.00%

Cinema Ticket

$5.78 ฿189

$2.80 PKR 780

106.43%

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

$306 ฿10.0K

$34.87 PKR 9,721

778.00%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.8K ฿484.8K

$426 PKR 118.6K

3383.70%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.4 ฿1,778

$7.22 PKR 2,013

653.05%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.14 ฿855

$7.20 PKR 2,007

263.06%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.5 ฿2,764

$87.5 PKR 24.4K

-3.43%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$69.4 ฿2,270

$29.40 PKR 8,196

136.16%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$424 ฿13.9K

$71.0 PKR 19.8K

496.37%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$238 ฿7,788

$48.89 PKR 13.6K

387.18%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$825 ฿27.0K

$160 PKR 44.5K

417.12%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$515 ฿16.8K

$98.4 PKR 27.4K

423.69%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,049 ฿67.0K

$384 PKR 107.0K

434.03%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,523 ฿49.8K

$221 PKR 61.6K

588.58%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$635 ฿20.8K

$216 PKR 60.2K

194.12%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

-58.33%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: April 27, 2026

Last update for Quetta: April 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $424 in Chiang Mai versus $71.0 in Quetta. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 194% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $10.00 in Quetta. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $243 vs $84.0 – making Quetta 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 Quetta: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 145% more than Quetta, 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 $1,278 per month in Chiang Mai and $522 in Quetta. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Quetta, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $306 per month in Chiang Mai and $34.87 in Quetta. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 188% 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 $852 in Chiang Mai and $348 in Quetta, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Quetta costs $348 versus $852 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 Quetta. 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.