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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $950 per month in Chiang Mai vs $235 in Shahrisabz, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,430 per month in Chiang Mai vs $417 in Shahrisabz, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,909 per month in Chiang Mai vs $600 in Shahrisabz, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 305% more than Shahrisabz, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Shahrisabz are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 31% lower, Shahrisabz 83% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.10 ฿69.3

$3.09 UZS 36.3K

-32.04%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.84 ฿656

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.79 ฿191

$1.94 UZS 22.9K

198.45%

Cappuccino

$1.83 ฿60.4

$0.61 UZS 7,206

200.00%

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

$0.78 ฿25.61

$0.52 UZS 6,063

50.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.31 ฿10.37

$0.17 UZS 2,030

82.35%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.34 ฿77.2

$0.97 UZS 11.4K

141.24%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.70 ฿122

$2.03 UZS 23.9K

82.27%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.03 ฿67.1

White Bread (500g)

$1.60 ฿52.7

$0.24 UZS 2,799

566.67%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.42 ฿46.75

$1.97 UZS 23.1K

-27.92%

Eggs

$2.18 ฿71.9

$0.98 UZS 11.5K

122.45%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.91 ฿526

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.07 ฿102

$2.04 UZS 24.0K

50.49%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.87 ฿326

$7.12 UZS 83.7K

38.62%

Apples (1kg)

$2.63 ฿86.8

$0.67 UZS 7,835

292.54%

Banana (1kg)

$1.10 ฿36.19

$0.98 UZS 11.5K

12.24%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.63 ฿53.8

Tomato (1kg)

$1.53 ฿50.6

Potato (1kg)

$1.24 ฿41.13

Onion (1kg)

$1.13 ฿37.37

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.74 ฿24.38

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.50 ฿16.48

$0.61 UZS 7,232

-18.03%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.28 ฿141

$0.97 UZS 11.4K

341.24%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.97 ฿594

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.70 ฿56.1

$1.01 UZS 11.9K

68.32%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.90 ฿95.7

$1.96 UZS 23.1K

47.96%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.94 ฿31.13

$0.38 UZS 4,477

147.37%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$55.3 ฿1,827

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.23 ฿40.76

$0.42 UZS 4,913

192.86%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.53 ฿17.66

$0.21 UZS 2,473

152.38%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.40 ฿79.3

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.44 ฿47.55

$0.91 UZS 10.7K

58.24%

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

$21.2K ฿700.2K

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

$27.3K ฿902.1K

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

$64.9 ฿2,145

$46.39 UZS 545.5K

39.97%

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

$13.35 ฿441

$3.07 UZS 36.1K

334.85%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.83 ฿688

$8.88 UZS 104.5K

134.57%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$40.42 ฿1,336

$29.67 UZS 348.9K

36.23%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.95 ฿131

Cinema Ticket

$6.71 ฿222

$7.11 UZS 83.6K

-5.63%

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

$787 ฿26.0K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.1K ฿499.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.2 ฿1,858

$12.11 UZS 142.5K

364.33%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.95 ฿824

$10.83 UZS 127.3K

130.38%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$92.7 ฿3,063

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$75.1 ฿2,482

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$484 ฿16.0K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$287 ฿9,491

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$910 ฿30.1K

$203 UZS 2.4M

349.21%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$531 ฿17.5K

$151 UZS 1.8M

252.28%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,980 ฿65.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,451 ฿47.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$605 ฿20.0K

$422 UZS 5.0M

43.27%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 7, 2026

Last update for Shahrisabz: September 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 43% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

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 Shahrisabz: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 305% more than Shahrisabz, 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 $1,426 per month in Chiang Mai and $352 in Shahrisabz. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $950 in Chiang Mai and $235 in Shahrisabz. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 240% 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.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Shahrisabz, where all-in costs run around $235, than in Chiang Mai at $950. In Shahrisabz it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Shahrisabz costs $235 versus $950 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 Shahrisabz. 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.