🙂A single person spends $372 per month in Gujranwala vs $861 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $555 per month in Gujranwala vs $1,350 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $738 per month in Gujranwala vs $1,838 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂Gujranwala is about 57% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Gujranwala and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Gujranwala72% lower, Chiang Mai36% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Gujranwala
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$0.55PKR 152
$1.96฿65.9
-71.94%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.07PKR 3,906
$18.35฿617
-23.32%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.33PKR 1,479
$7.48฿252
-28.74%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.84PKR 233
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.87PKR 1,075
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.30PKR 360
$2.02฿67.8
-35.64%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.20PKR 55.5
$0.85฿28.52
-76.47%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.18PKR 50.5
$0.36฿11.97
-50.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.14฿71.9
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.59฿121
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Gujranwala
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.71PKR 197
$1.65฿55.5
-56.97%
White Bread(500g)
$0.67PKR 186
$1.57฿52.7
-57.32%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.14PKR 316
$1.19฿40.05
-4.20%
Eggs
$1.10PKR 304
$1.94฿65.1
-43.30%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.13PKR 1,702
$16.19฿545
-62.14%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.47PKR 685
$2.99฿101
-17.39%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.00PKR 1,111
$10.94฿368
-63.44%
Apples(1kg)
$1.00PKR 278
$2.71฿91.2
-63.10%
Banana(1kg)
$0.61PKR 169
$1.17฿39.27
-47.86%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.88PKR 244
$1.69฿56.8
-47.93%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.46PKR 127
$1.60฿54.0
-71.25%
Potato(1kg)
$0.36PKR 99.6
$1.38฿46.56
-73.91%
Onion(1kg)
$0.46PKR 127
$1.20฿40.47
-61.67%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.31PKR 85.9
$0.67฿22.51
-53.73%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.35PKR 97.2
$0.56฿18.74
-37.50%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.79PKR 497
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.87PKR 241
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06PKR 572
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.99PKR 552
$4.64฿156
-57.11%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$17.62฿593
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.86฿62.6
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.30฿111
-
🚌 Getting Around
Gujranwala
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.18PKR 50.9
$0.88฿29.70
-79.55%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$7.04PKR 1,956
$19.34฿651
-63.60%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.55PKR 153
$1.36฿45.92
-59.56%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.43PKR 120
$1.34฿45.00
-67.91%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.38PKR 384
$8.21฿276
-83.19%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.93PKR 259
$1.22฿41.20
-23.77%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.1KPKR 5.9M
$21.4K฿718.5K
-1.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$14.1KPKR 3.9M
$22.5K฿758.1K
-37.34%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Gujranwala
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$111PKR 30.8K
$70.7฿2,378
56.95%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.60PKR 999
$14.04฿472
-74.36%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.44PKR 4,566
$17.49฿589
-6.00%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Gujranwala
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$4.64PKR 1,290
$42.15฿1,418
-88.99%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$2.79PKR 776
$6.88฿231
-59.45%
Cinema Ticket
$3.42PKR 951
$5.92฿199
-42.23%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Gujranwala
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$17.06PKR 4,738
$309฿10.4K
-94.47%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$859PKR 238.5K
$14.9K฿500.7K
-94.23%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Gujranwala
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$12.61PKR 3,502
$55.8฿1,876
-77.39%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.34PKR 6,759
$26.11฿879
-6.78%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$88.5PKR 24.6K
$83.0฿2,793
6.55%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$21.33PKR 5,922
$70.5฿2,371
-69.72%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Gujranwala
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$55.2PKR 15.3K
$432฿14.5K
-87.23%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$19.62PKR 5,447
$239฿8,040
-91.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$115PKR 31.8K
$822฿27.7K
-86.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$56.8PKR 15.8K
$512฿17.2K
-88.92%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$1,915฿64.4K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,467฿49.4K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Gujranwala
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$232PKR 64.4K
$579฿19.5K
-59.95%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
20.2
5
304.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Gujranwala: July 11, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $55.2 in Gujranwala versus $432 in Chiang Mai. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 150% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $14.00 in Gujranwala versus $18.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $87.0 vs $243 – making Gujranwala 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
Gujranwala vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Gujranwala or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 132% more than Gujranwala, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Gujranwala and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $557 per month in Gujranwala and $1,292 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Gujranwala or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Gujranwala, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Gujranwala and in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $17.06 per month in Gujranwala and $309 in Chiang Mai. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Gujranwala or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 179% 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.
Can you live on $1,200/month in Gujranwala or in Chiang Mai?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $372 in Gujranwala and $861 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Gujranwala or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Gujranwala costs $372 versus $861 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Gujranwala compared to Chiang Mai?
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.
Should I move to Gujranwala or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Gujranwala. 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.
Gujranwala vs other spots: cost of living compared