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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $852 per month in Chiang Mai vs $452 in Sheikhupura, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,360 per month in Chiang Mai vs $670 in Sheikhupura, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,867 per month in Chiang Mai vs $887 in Sheikhupura, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 89% more than Sheikhupura, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Sheikhupura are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 36% lower, Sheikhupura 66% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.04 ฿68.2

$2.78 PKR 772

-26.62%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.71 ฿624

$14.03 PKR 3,895

33.36%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.86 ฿262

$5.39 PKR 1,497

45.83%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.80 PKR 499

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.96 PKR 1,099

Cappuccino

$2.03 ฿67.7

$2.05 PKR 568

-0.98%

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

$0.80 ฿26.64

$0.42 PKR 118

90.48%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.68

$0.22 PKR 60.9

59.09%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.14 ฿71.5

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.67 ฿122

Milk (1 liter)

$1.73 ฿57.6

$0.54 PKR 150

220.37%

White Bread (500g)

$1.57 ฿52.4

$0.54 PKR 151

190.74%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.20 ฿39.99

$1.04 PKR 287

15.38%

Eggs

$1.97 ฿65.8

$1.21 PKR 337

62.81%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.23 ฿541

$6.17 PKR 1,711

163.05%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.06 ฿102

$1.75 PKR 487

74.86%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.80 ฿360

$2.88 PKR 799

275.00%

Apples (1kg)

$2.77 ฿92.3

$1.03 PKR 286

168.93%

Banana (1kg)

$1.17 ฿38.94

$0.77 PKR 214

51.95%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.71 ฿57.0

$0.91 PKR 251

87.91%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.59 ฿53.2

$0.55 PKR 153

189.09%

Potato (1kg)

$1.39 ฿46.51

$0.42 PKR 116

230.95%

Onion (1kg)

$1.16 ฿38.56

$0.57 PKR 158

103.51%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.66 ฿22.05

$0.31 PKR 84.8

112.90%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 ฿17.31

$0.37 PKR 104

40.54%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$1.42 PKR 393

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.88 PKR 243

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.95 PKR 540

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.65 ฿155

$2.07 PKR 575

124.64%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.78 ฿593

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.79 ฿59.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.34 ฿111

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.91 ฿30.27

$0.17 PKR 46.80

435.29%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$18.64 ฿622

$6.99 PKR 1,939

166.67%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.41 ฿47.04

$0.89 PKR 248

58.43%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.34 ฿44.70

$0.43 PKR 120

211.63%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.11 ฿270

$2.87 PKR 798

182.58%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 ฿41.16

$0.90 PKR 251

36.67%

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

$21.4K ฿715.1K

$21.6K PKR 6.0M

-0.84%

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

$21.8K ฿728.0K

$26.2K PKR 7.3M

-16.74%

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

$71.3 ฿2,379

$113 PKR 31.5K

-37.12%

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

$14.01 ฿467

$5.46 PKR 1,516

156.59%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.93 ฿598

$18.60 PKR 5,163

-3.60%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$40.82 ฿1,362

$12.62 PKR 3,502

223.45%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.88 ฿230

$5.90 PKR 1,638

16.61%

Cinema Ticket

$5.72 ฿191

$4.19 PKR 1,163

36.52%

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

$308 ฿10.3K

$59.8 PKR 16.6K

415.62%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.7K ฿489.7K

$1,088 PKR 302.1K

1248.66%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.8 ฿1,860

$21.69 PKR 6,021

157.12%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.04 ฿869

$27.57 PKR 7,652

-5.55%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.8 ฿2,829

$86.9 PKR 24.1K

-2.44%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$71.0 ฿2,368

$39.70 PKR 11.0K

78.82%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$423 ฿14.1K

$75.0 PKR 20.8K

464.47%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$242 ฿8,088

$51.0 PKR 14.2K

375.02%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$797 ฿26.6K

$168 PKR 46.7K

374.19%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$507 ฿16.9K

$108 PKR 29.9K

370.53%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,918 ฿64.0K

$859 PKR 238.3K

123.43%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,464 ฿48.8K

$531 PKR 147.4K

175.69%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$595 ฿19.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

20.2

-75.25%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: July 27, 2026

Last update for Sheikhupura: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $423 in Chiang Mai versus $75.0 in Sheikhupura. 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 $14.00 in Sheikhupura. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $244 vs $80.0 – making Sheikhupura 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 Sheikhupura: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chiang Mai costs about 89% more than Sheikhupura, 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 $678 in Sheikhupura. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Sheikhupura, 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 $59.8 in Sheikhupura. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 205% 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 $452 in Sheikhupura, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Sheikhupura costs $452 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 Sheikhupura. 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.