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 $451 in Sheikhupura, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,354 per month in Chiang Mai vs $663 in Sheikhupura, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,857 per month in Chiang Mai vs $876 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

$1.96 ฿64.0

$2.89 PKR 805

-32.18%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$18.81 ฿615

$14.39 PKR 4,011

30.72%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.92 ฿259

$5.43 PKR 1,514

45.86%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.73 PKR 483

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.90 PKR 1,088

Cappuccino

$1.91 ฿62.6

$2.08 PKR 581

-8.17%

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

$0.84 ฿27.41

$0.43 PKR 120

95.35%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.35 ฿11.51

$0.24 PKR 67.0

45.83%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.21 ฿72.1

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.80 ฿124

Milk (1 liter)

$1.64 ฿53.5

$0.55 PKR 153

198.18%

White Bread (500g)

$1.62 ฿53.1

$0.55 PKR 154

194.55%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.18 ฿38.62

$1.09 PKR 303

8.26%

Eggs

$2.01 ฿65.8

$1.21 PKR 338

66.12%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.89 ฿520

$6.34 PKR 1,768

150.63%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.01 ฿98.5

$1.82 PKR 508

65.38%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.77 ฿352

$2.90 PKR 807

271.38%

Apples (1kg)

$2.61 ฿85.5

$1.01 PKR 281

158.42%

Banana (1kg)

$1.22 ฿39.88

$0.78 PKR 216

56.41%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.70 ฿55.7

$0.96 PKR 267

77.08%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.58 ฿51.5

$0.57 PKR 158

177.19%

Potato (1kg)

$1.32 ฿43.14

$0.39 PKR 109

238.46%

Onion (1kg)

$1.17 ฿38.23

$0.58 PKR 161

101.72%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.67 ฿21.98

$0.33 PKR 92.0

103.03%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.56 ฿18.32

$0.38 PKR 105

47.37%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$1.39 PKR 387

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.92 PKR 257

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.96 PKR 547

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.53 ฿148

$2.06 PKR 575

119.90%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.20 ฿595

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.83 ฿60.0

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.23 ฿106

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.89 ฿29.00

$0.20 PKR 54.7

345.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.38 ฿634

$6.95 PKR 1,937

178.85%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.35 ฿44.20

$0.85 PKR 238

58.82%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.35 ฿44.05

$0.41 PKR 114

229.27%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$8.25 ฿270

$2.88 PKR 803

186.46%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 ฿41.64

$0.91 PKR 254

39.56%

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

$21.2K ฿691.8K

$21.2K PKR 5.9M

-0.13%

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

$22.5K ฿735.3K

$26.6K PKR 7.4M

-15.47%

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

$70.2 ฿2,294

$111 PKR 30.9K

-36.76%

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

$13.77 ฿450

$5.53 PKR 1,543

149.01%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.60 ฿575

$18.40 PKR 5,129

-4.35%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.57 ฿1,360

$12.31 PKR 3,430

237.69%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.60 ฿216

$5.83 PKR 1,624

13.21%

Cinema Ticket

$5.78 ฿189

$4.14 PKR 1,155

39.61%

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

$306 ฿10.0K

$60.7 PKR 16.9K

404.55%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$14.8K ฿484.8K

$1,102 PKR 307.1K

1245.61%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.4 ฿1,778

$21.06 PKR 5,870

158.17%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$26.14 ฿855

$28.26 PKR 7,877

-7.50%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.5 ฿2,764

$86.8 PKR 24.2K

-2.59%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$69.4 ฿2,270

$40.58 PKR 11.3K

71.09%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$424 ฿13.9K

$73.8 PKR 20.6K

474.22%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$238 ฿7,788

$50.9 PKR 14.2K

367.85%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$825 ฿27.0K

$166 PKR 46.2K

398.01%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$515 ฿16.8K

$108 PKR 30.2K

376.12%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,049 ฿67.0K

$761 PKR 212.1K

169.31%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,523 ฿49.8K

$613 PKR 170.9K

148.36%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$635 ฿20.8K

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: April 27, 2026

Last update for Sheikhupura: April 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $424 in Chiang Mai versus $73.8 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: $243 vs $82.0 – 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 $1,278 per month in Chiang Mai and $676 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 $306 per month in Chiang Mai and $60.7 in Sheikhupura. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 198% 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 $451 in Sheikhupura, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Sheikhupura costs $451 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.