😐A single person spends $869 per month in Chiang Mai vs $387 in Shahjahanpur, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,362 per month in Chiang Mai vs $591 in Shahjahanpur, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,855 per month in Chiang Mai vs $795 in Shahjahanpur, rent included.
😐Chiang Mai costs about 124% more than Shahjahanpur, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Chiang Mai and Shahjahanpur are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai35% lower, Shahjahanpur71% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Shahjahanpur
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.98฿64.3
$3.41₹324
-41.94%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.80฿612
$9.34₹888
101.28%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.75฿252
$2.89₹275
168.17%
Cappuccino
$1.92฿62.5
$1.75₹167
9.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79฿25.79
$0.33₹31.83
139.39%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36฿11.62
$0.07₹7.12
414.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21฿72.1
$2.01₹191
9.95%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66฿119
$3.41₹324
7.33%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Shahjahanpur
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.65฿53.8
$0.68₹64.7
142.65%
White Bread(500g)
$1.63฿53.2
$0.51₹48.22
219.61%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.19฿38.86
$0.72₹68.2
65.28%
Eggs
$2.00฿65.1
$0.84₹79.5
138.10%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.98฿520
$2.85₹271
460.70%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.03฿98.5
$2.95₹280
2.71%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.86฿354
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.76฿90.0
$1.61₹153
71.43%
Banana(1kg)
$1.18฿38.42
$0.56₹53.1
110.71%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.64฿53.5
$0.73₹69.6
124.66%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.52฿49.51
$0.43₹40.70
253.49%
Potato(1kg)
$1.38฿45.10
$0.33₹31.50
318.18%
Onion(1kg)
$1.19฿38.84
$0.43₹40.48
176.74%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.70฿22.86
$0.45₹42.52
55.56%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56฿18.13
$0.28₹26.54
100.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.58฿149
$2.46₹234
86.18%
Wine(Bottle)
$16.56฿539
$5.27₹501
214.23%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83฿59.5
$0.97₹92.5
88.66%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.20฿104
$2.36₹224
35.59%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
-
$3.44₹327
-
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Shahjahanpur
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.88฿28.56
$0.28₹26.40
214.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.72฿610
$8.92₹849
109.87%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.36฿44.16
$0.78₹74.0
74.36%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.34฿43.65
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.84฿256
$1.76₹167
345.45%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.23฿39.92
$1.07₹102
14.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.6K฿704.3K
$19.0K₹1.8M
13.77%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.5K฿734.3K
$23.1K₹2.2M
-2.34%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Shahjahanpur
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.5฿2,298
$46.75₹4,446
50.89%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.68฿445
$3.57₹340
283.19%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.45฿568
$8.38₹797
108.23%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Shahjahanpur
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.33฿1,346
$16.11₹1,532
156.55%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.96฿227
$6.87₹653
1.31%
Cinema Ticket
$5.77฿188
$2.59₹246
122.78%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Shahjahanpur
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$307฿10.0K
$81.8₹7,775
275.63%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.6K฿475.9K
$1,653₹157.2K
783.83%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Shahjahanpur
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.8฿1,817
$23.44₹2,229
138.01%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.21฿854
$23.02₹2,189
13.86%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$85.8฿2,793
$51.6₹4,904
66.28%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$72.2฿2,353
$35.25₹3,352
104.94%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Shahjahanpur
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$430฿14.0K
$82.0₹7,794
424.39%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$239฿7,774
$69.5₹6,606
243.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$817฿26.6K
$157₹14.9K
420.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$511฿16.6K
$130₹12.4K
291.78%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,983฿64.6K
$967₹92.0K
105.02%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,484฿48.3K
$516₹49.0K
187.84%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Shahjahanpur
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$619฿20.2K
$721₹68.5K
-14.13%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
8
-37.50%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: June 7, 2026
Last update for Shahjahanpur: June 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $430 in Chiang Mai versus $82.0 in Shahjahanpur. 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 16% higher in Shahjahanpur, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Chiang Mai versus $9.00 in Shahjahanpur. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $241 vs $85.0 – making Shahjahanpur 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 Shahjahanpur: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Shahjahanpur?
Chiang Mai costs about 124% more than Shahjahanpur, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 vs Shahjahanpur?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,303 per month in Chiang Mai and $581 in Shahjahanpur. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Shahjahanpur?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Shahjahanpur, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Chiang Mai and Shahjahanpur?
Kindergarten costs $307 per month in Chiang Mai and $81.8 in Shahjahanpur. 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 Shahjahanpur?
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.
Can you live on $1,200/month in Chiang Mai or Shahjahanpur?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $869 in Chiang Mai and $387 in Shahjahanpur, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Shahjahanpur?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Shahjahanpur costs $387 versus $869 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Shahjahanpur?
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.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or Shahjahanpur?
If budget matters most, go with Shahjahanpur. 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.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared