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 $932 per month in Chiang Mai vs $509 in Sheikhupura, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,399 per month in Chiang Mai vs $795 in Sheikhupura, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $1,081 in Sheikhupura, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 83% more than Sheikhupura, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Sheikhupura are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 32% lower, Sheikhupura 63% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.08 ฿69.3

$3.66 PKR 1,013

-43.17%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$19.61 ฿653

$23.26 PKR 6,443

-15.69%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.67 ฿189

$5.51 PKR 1,526

2.90%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.51 PKR 971

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.76 PKR 1,873

Cappuccino

$1.81 ฿60.1

$2.53 PKR 701

-28.46%

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

$0.77 ฿25.58

$0.33 PKR 90.3

133.33%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.49

$0.21 PKR 57.9

66.67%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 ฿73.7

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.79 ฿126

Milk (1 liter)

$2.05 ฿68.2

$0.95 PKR 262

115.79%

White Bread (500g)

$1.51 ฿50.4

$0.80 PKR 222

88.75%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.40 ฿46.57

$1.25 PKR 348

12.00%

Eggs

$2.26 ฿75.2

$1.27 PKR 351

77.95%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.19 ฿539

$6.03 PKR 1,670

168.49%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.90 ฿96.4

$3.19 PKR 884

-9.09%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.42 ฿314

$5.23 PKR 1,448

80.11%

Apples (1kg)

$2.68 ฿89.2

$1.27 PKR 351

111.02%

Banana (1kg)

$1.09 ฿36.28

$0.86 PKR 238

26.74%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.62 ฿53.8

$1.08 PKR 299

50.00%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.46 ฿48.61

$0.53 PKR 147

175.47%

Potato (1kg)

$1.28 ฿42.54

$0.26 PKR 71.9

392.31%

Onion (1kg)

$1.06 ฿35.21

$0.33 PKR 90.3

221.21%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.72 ฿23.88

$0.28 PKR 76.6

157.14%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.53 ฿17.51

$0.43 PKR 118

23.26%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$1.79 PKR 496

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.23 PKR 342

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.59 PKR 718

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.23 ฿141

$2.40 PKR 664

76.25%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.29 ฿609

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.63 ฿54.3

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.90 ฿96.6

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.88 ฿29.24

$0.21 PKR 57.0

319.05%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$53.8 ฿1,790

$8.81 PKR 2,441

510.33%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.17 ฿39.04

$1.24 PKR 343

-5.65%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.58 ฿19.25

$0.69 PKR 190

-15.94%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.39 ฿79.4

$1.65 PKR 456

44.85%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.45 ฿48.28

$1.30 PKR 360

11.54%

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

$21.0K ฿699.5K

$21.9K PKR 6.1M

-4.20%

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

$26.4K ฿879.7K

$24.4K PKR 6.7M

8.51%

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

$63.7 ฿2,119

$104 PKR 28.7K

-38.57%

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

$12.89 ฿429

$5.78 PKR 1,602

123.01%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$20.52 ฿683

$15.94 PKR 4,415

28.73%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$39.02 ฿1,299

$14.98 PKR 4,148

160.48%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$3.92 ฿130

Cinema Ticket

$6.58 ฿219

$4.44 PKR 1,229

48.20%

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

$784 ฿26.1K

$75.8 PKR 21.0K

933.88%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.7K ฿488.4K

$997 PKR 276.1K

1371.98%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.1 ฿1,835

$24.52 PKR 6,791

124.76%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.74 ฿824

$35.37 PKR 9,797

-30.05%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.1 ฿3,133

$97.1 PKR 26.9K

-3.08%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$74.0 ฿2,462

$40.46 PKR 11.2K

82.80%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$490 ฿16.3K

$145 PKR 40.1K

239.11%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$288 ฿9,594

$79.9 PKR 22.1K

260.73%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$891 ฿29.7K

$258 PKR 71.5K

245.10%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$521 ฿17.3K

$142 PKR 39.3K

267.48%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,974 ฿65.7K

$968 PKR 268.1K

103.93%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,444 ฿48.1K

$516 PKR 143.1K

179.64%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$602 ฿20.0K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.57

13.08

-57.42%

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

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 13, 2026

Last update for Sheikhupura: September 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $490 in Chiang Mai versus $145 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 $20.00 in Chiang Mai versus $23.00 in Sheikhupura. Groceries tell a different story – $241 in Chiang Mai vs $103 in Sheikhupura – so Sheikhupura wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 83% 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 $1,398 per month in Chiang Mai and $763 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 $784 per month in Chiang Mai and $75.8 in Sheikhupura. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 133% 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 $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Sheikhupura, where all-in costs run around $509, than in Chiang Mai at $932. In Sheikhupura 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. Sheikhupura costs $509 versus $932 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.