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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $370 in Sahiwal, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,360 per month in Chiang Mai vs $565 in Sahiwal, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,867 per month in Chiang Mai vs $761 in Sahiwal, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 130% more than Sahiwal, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Sahiwal are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 36% lower, Sahiwal 72% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.04 ฿68.4

$1.73 PKR 481

17.92%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.71 ฿626

$10.78 PKR 2,991

73.56%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.86 ฿263

$4.20 PKR 1,164

87.14%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.41 PKR 669

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 PKR 1,024

Cappuccino

$2.03 ฿67.9

$1.73 PKR 481

17.34%

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

$0.80 ฿26.71

$0.35 PKR 97.8

128.57%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.71

$0.19 PKR 52.2

84.21%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.14 ฿71.7

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.67 ฿123

Milk (1 liter)

$1.73 ฿57.8

$0.61 PKR 168

183.61%

White Bread (500g)

$1.57 ฿52.5

$0.43 PKR 120

265.12%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.20 ฿40.10

$1.13 PKR 315

6.19%

Eggs

$1.97 ฿66.0

$1.15 PKR 320

71.30%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.23 ฿543

$5.89 PKR 1,635

175.55%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.06 ฿102

$2.90 PKR 806

5.52%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.80 ฿361

$4.63 PKR 1,286

133.26%

Apples (1kg)

$2.77 ฿92.6

$1.02 PKR 282

171.57%

Banana (1kg)

$1.17 ฿39.05

$0.61 PKR 169

91.80%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.71 ฿57.1

$0.36 PKR 100

375.00%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.59 ฿53.3

$0.46 PKR 128

245.65%

Potato (1kg)

$1.39 ฿46.63

$0.33 PKR 90.9

321.21%

Onion (1kg)

$1.16 ฿38.67

$0.51 PKR 142

127.45%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 ฿22.11

$0.47 PKR 131

40.43%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 ฿17.35

$0.34 PKR 94.0

52.94%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$1.11 PKR 308

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.54 PKR 150

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.12 PKR 311

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.65 ฿155

$1.90 PKR 526

144.74%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.78 ฿595

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.79 ฿59.8

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.34 ฿112

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.91 ฿30.35

$0.19 PKR 53.9

378.95%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$18.64 ฿624

$7.00 PKR 1,943

166.29%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.41 ฿47.17

$0.74 PKR 207

90.54%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.34 ฿44.82

$0.52 PKR 144

157.69%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.11 ฿271

$1.81 PKR 502

348.07%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 ฿41.27

$0.94 PKR 262

30.85%

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

$21.4K ฿717.0K

$17.7K PKR 4.9M

21.34%

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

$21.8K ฿730.0K

$23.2K PKR 6.4M

-5.97%

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

$71.3 ฿2,386

$71.4 PKR 19.8K

-0.07%

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

$14.01 ฿469

$5.34 PKR 1,482

162.36%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.93 ฿600

$17.57 PKR 4,876

2.05%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$40.82 ฿1,365

$12.55 PKR 3,484

225.26%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.88 ฿230

$5.91 PKR 1,640

16.41%

Cinema Ticket

$5.72 ฿191

$3.62 PKR 1,005

58.01%

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

$308 ฿10.3K

$17.38 PKR 4,824

1673.82%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.7K ฿491.0K

$1,216 PKR 337.4K

1107.43%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.8 ฿1,865

$14.30 PKR 3,968

290.00%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.04 ฿871

$12.31 PKR 3,417

111.54%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.8 ฿2,837

$72.7 PKR 20.2K

16.66%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$71.0 ฿2,375

$28.09 PKR 7,795

152.72%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$423 ฿14.2K

$74.3 PKR 20.6K

469.79%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$242 ฿8,110

$50.9 PKR 14.1K

376.51%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$797 ฿26.7K

$167 PKR 46.2K

378.74%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$507 ฿17.0K

$108 PKR 30.0K

369.05%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,918 ฿64.2K

$874 PKR 242.6K

119.41%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,464 ฿49.0K

$531 PKR 147.3K

175.79%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$595 ฿19.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

19.88

-74.85%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: July 27, 2026

Last update for Sahiwal: July 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $423 in Chiang Mai versus $74.3 in Sahiwal. 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 Sahiwal. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $244 vs $86.0 – making Sahiwal 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 Sahiwal: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 130% more than Sahiwal, 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 $1,279 per month in Chiang Mai and $555 in Sahiwal. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Kindergarten costs $308 per month in Chiang Mai and $17.38 in Sahiwal. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 184% 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 $370 in Sahiwal, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Sahiwal costs $370 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 Sahiwal. 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.