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 $374 in Sahiwal, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,354 per month in Chiang Mai vs $564 in Sahiwal, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,857 per month in Chiang Mai vs $753 in Sahiwal, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 128% 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

$1.96 ฿64.0

$1.74 PKR 484

12.64%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.81 ฿615

$10.63 PKR 2,962

76.95%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.92 ฿259

$4.15 PKR 1,158

90.84%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.55 PKR 710

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.64 PKR 1,016

Cappuccino

$1.91 ฿62.6

$1.75 PKR 487

9.14%

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

$0.84 ฿27.41

$0.33 PKR 91.2

154.55%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.51

$0.17 PKR 46.89

105.88%

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

$0.64 PKR 179

156.25%

White Bread (500g)

$1.62 ฿53.1

$0.44 PKR 123

268.18%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.18 ฿38.62

$1.17 PKR 327

0.85%

Eggs

$2.01 ฿65.8

$1.17 PKR 326

71.79%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.89 ฿520

$5.89 PKR 1,643

169.78%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.01 ฿98.5

$2.92 PKR 814

3.08%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.77 ฿352

$4.43 PKR 1,235

143.12%

Apples (1kg)

$2.61 ฿85.5

$1.05 PKR 293

148.57%

Banana (1kg)

$1.22 ฿39.88

$0.60 PKR 169

103.33%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.70 ฿55.7

$0.33 PKR 93.2

415.15%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.58 ฿51.5

$0.46 PKR 128

243.48%

Potato (1kg)

$1.32 ฿43.14

$0.36 PKR 99.2

266.67%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ฿38.23

$0.48 PKR 133

143.75%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 ฿21.98

$0.45 PKR 124

48.89%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ฿18.32

$0.37 PKR 102

51.35%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$0.70 PKR 196

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 PKR 141

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.06 PKR 297

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.53 ฿148

$1.99 PKR 554

127.64%

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

$0.16 PKR 43.22

456.25%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.38 ฿634

$6.97 PKR 1,944

178.05%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.35 ฿44.20

$0.73 PKR 203

84.93%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.35 ฿44.05

$0.50 PKR 139

170.00%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.25 ฿270

$1.80 PKR 502

358.33%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 ฿41.64

$0.89 PKR 249

42.70%

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

$21.2K ฿691.8K

$17.9K PKR 5.0M

17.92%

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

$22.5K ฿735.3K

$23.0K PKR 6.4M

-2.35%

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

$70.2 ฿2,294

$70.0 PKR 19.5K

0.27%

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

$13.77 ฿450

$5.48 PKR 1,528

151.28%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.60 ฿575

$17.48 PKR 4,872

0.69%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.57 ฿1,360

$12.16 PKR 3,389

241.86%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.60 ฿216

$5.85 PKR 1,631

12.82%

Cinema Ticket

$5.78 ฿189

$3.58 PKR 998

61.45%

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

$306 ฿10.0K

$17.83 PKR 4,970

1617.11%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.8K ฿484.8K

$1,243 PKR 346.6K

1092.29%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.4 ฿1,778

$14.12 PKR 3,936

285.06%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.14 ฿855

$12.28 PKR 3,424

112.87%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.5 ฿2,764

$74.0 PKR 20.6K

14.31%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$69.4 ฿2,270

$28.15 PKR 7,848

146.64%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$424 ฿13.9K

$73.9 PKR 20.6K

473.52%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$238 ฿7,788

$51.5 PKR 14.3K

362.93%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$825 ฿27.0K

$168 PKR 46.8K

391.02%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$515 ฿16.8K

$106 PKR 29.4K

387.98%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,049 ฿67.0K

$743 PKR 207.1K

175.84%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,523 ฿49.8K

$560 PKR 156.2K

171.78%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$635 ฿20.8K

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: April 27, 2026

Last update for Sahiwal: April 28, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $424 in Chiang Mai versus $73.9 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: $243 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 128% 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 $1,278 per month in Chiang Mai and $561 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 $306 per month in Chiang Mai and $17.83 in Sahiwal. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 181% 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 $374 in Sahiwal, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Sahiwal costs $374 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.