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 $869 per month in Chiang Mai vs $446 in Sheikhupura, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,362 per month in Chiang Mai vs $671 in Sheikhupura, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,855 per month in Chiang Mai vs $895 in Sheikhupura, rent included.

Chiang Mai costs about 95% more than Sheikhupura, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chiang Mai and Sheikhupura are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai 35% lower, Sheikhupura 67% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.98 ฿64.3

$2.75 PKR 764

-28.00%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.80 ฿612

$14.25 PKR 3,963

31.93%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.75 ฿252

$5.39 PKR 1,499

43.78%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.80 PKR 500

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.84 PKR 1,066

Cappuccino

$1.92 ฿62.5

$2.06 PKR 574

-6.80%

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

$0.79 ฿25.79

$0.42 PKR 118

88.10%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.36 ฿11.62

$0.22 PKR 60.9

63.64%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 ฿72.1

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.66 ฿119

Milk (1 liter)

$1.65 ฿53.8

$0.55 PKR 154

200.00%

White Bread (500g)

$1.63 ฿53.2

$0.52 PKR 144

213.46%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.19 ฿38.86

$1.04 PKR 288

14.42%

Eggs

$2.00 ฿65.1

$1.21 PKR 337

65.29%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.98 ฿520

$6.19 PKR 1,720

158.16%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.03 ฿98.5

$1.75 PKR 487

73.14%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.86 ฿354

$2.76 PKR 767

293.48%

Apples (1kg)

$2.76 ฿90.0

$1.04 PKR 289

165.38%

Banana (1kg)

$1.18 ฿38.42

$0.83 PKR 230

42.17%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.64 ฿53.5

$0.96 PKR 268

70.83%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.52 ฿49.51

$0.59 PKR 165

157.63%

Potato (1kg)

$1.38 ฿45.10

$0.42 PKR 116

228.57%

Onion (1kg)

$1.19 ฿38.84

$0.54 PKR 149

120.37%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.70 ฿22.86

$0.33 PKR 92.0

112.12%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ฿18.13

$0.40 PKR 111

40.00%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$1.41 PKR 392

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.88 PKR 243

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.96 PKR 546

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.58 ฿149

$2.13 PKR 593

115.02%

Wine (Bottle)

$16.56 ฿539

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.83 ฿59.5

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.20 ฿104

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.88 ฿28.56

$0.16 PKR 44.85

450.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$18.72 ฿610

$6.90 PKR 1,919

171.30%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.36 ฿44.16

$0.92 PKR 256

47.83%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.34 ฿43.65

$0.44 PKR 121

204.55%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$7.84 ฿256

$2.88 PKR 800

172.22%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 ฿39.92

$0.96 PKR 267

28.13%

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

$21.6K ฿704.3K

$21.3K PKR 5.9M

1.36%

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

$22.5K ฿734.3K

$26.2K PKR 7.3M

-14.07%

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

$70.5 ฿2,298

$111 PKR 31.0K

-36.69%

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

$13.68 ฿445

$5.65 PKR 1,572

142.12%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.45 ฿568

$18.78 PKR 5,221

-7.08%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.33 ฿1,346

$12.25 PKR 3,406

237.39%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.96 ฿227

$6.06 PKR 1,684

14.85%

Cinema Ticket

$5.77 ฿188

$4.20 PKR 1,167

37.38%

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

$307 ฿10.0K

$59.0 PKR 16.4K

420.30%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.6K ฿475.9K

$1,125 PKR 312.7K

1199.24%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.8 ฿1,817

$21.70 PKR 6,032

157.10%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.21 ฿854

$27.77 PKR 7,722

-5.62%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.8 ฿2,793

$88.8 PKR 24.7K

-3.46%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$72.2 ฿2,353

$39.37 PKR 10.9K

83.49%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$430 ฿14.0K

$76.2 PKR 21.2K

464.11%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$239 ฿7,774

$52.9 PKR 14.7K

351.36%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$817 ฿26.6K

$167 PKR 46.5K

388.57%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$511 ฿16.6K

$106 PKR 29.5K

382.14%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,983 ฿64.6K

$1,035 PKR 287.8K

91.55%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,484 ฿48.3K

$537 PKR 149.4K

176.23%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$619 ฿20.2K

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: June 7, 2026

Last update for Sheikhupura: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $430 in Chiang Mai versus $76.2 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: $241 vs $81.0 – 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 95% 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 $1,303 per month in Chiang Mai and $669 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 $307 per month in Chiang Mai and $59.0 in Sheikhupura. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 199% 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 $869 in Chiang Mai and $446 in Sheikhupura, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Sheikhupura costs $446 versus $869 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.