🙂A single person spends $459 per month in Hyderabad vs $866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $685 per month in Hyderabad vs $1,351 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $911 per month in Hyderabad vs $1,835 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂Hyderabad is about 47% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Hyderabad and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Hyderabad66% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hyderabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.79PKR 498
$1.94฿63.6
-7.73%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.75PKR 2,991
$18.64฿609
-42.33%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.16PKR 1,158
$7.82฿256
-46.80%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.89PKR 527
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.46PKR 1,518
-
-
Cappuccino
$0.95PKR 264
$1.95฿63.9
-51.28%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.34PKR 94.1
$0.85฿27.80
-60.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23PKR 64.3
$0.35฿11.60
-34.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.13฿69.7
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.73฿122
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hyderabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.72PKR 201
$1.71฿56.0
-57.89%
White Bread(500g)
$0.53PKR 148
$1.63฿53.3
-67.48%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.16PKR 323
$1.14฿37.18
1.75%
Eggs
$1.15PKR 321
$1.93฿63.2
-40.41%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.11PKR 1,700
$16.21฿530
-62.31%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.75PKR 765
$3.12฿102
-11.86%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.00PKR 1,111
$10.90฿356
-63.30%
Apples(1kg)
$1.09PKR 303
$2.75฿90.1
-60.36%
Banana(1kg)
$0.58PKR 162
$1.21฿39.56
-52.07%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.85PKR 237
$1.62฿53.0
-47.53%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.56PKR 155
$1.59฿51.9
-64.78%
Potato(1kg)
$0.36PKR 98.9
$1.40฿45.75
-74.29%
Onion(1kg)
$0.48PKR 133
$1.17฿38.20
-58.97%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.38PKR 106
$0.66฿21.62
-42.42%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.41PKR 114
$0.53฿17.24
-22.64%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$0.91PKR 254
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.26PKR 351
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12PKR 588
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.17PKR 603
$4.69฿153
-53.73%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$18.66฿610
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.80฿58.8
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.23฿106
-
🚌 Getting Around
Hyderabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.18PKR 50.3
$0.90฿29.28
-80.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.84PKR 2,737
$19.21฿628
-48.78%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.65PKR 181
$1.41฿45.96
-53.90%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.19PKR 52.4
$1.29฿42.16
-85.27%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$0.69PKR 192
$7.84฿256
-91.20%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.87PKR 243
$1.27฿41.62
-31.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$16.6KPKR 4.6M
$21.3K฿695.5K
-21.77%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.0KPKR 6.4M
$22.2K฿726.1K
3.66%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hyderabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$135PKR 37.5K
$69.1฿2,258
94.95%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.64PKR 1,292
$14.08฿460
-67.05%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.73PKR 3,820
$18.00฿588
-23.72%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hyderabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$20.28PKR 5,641
$41.06฿1,342
-50.61%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.59PKR 997
$6.96฿227
-48.42%
Cinema Ticket
$3.43PKR 955
$5.92฿193
-42.06%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hyderabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$41.18PKR 11.5K
$299฿9,775
-86.23%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,094PKR 304.4K
$15.0K฿488.8K
-92.68%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hyderabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$17.79PKR 4,948
$54.7฿1,788
-67.48%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.99PKR 6,951
$26.77฿875
-6.65%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$64.4PKR 17.9K
$85.0฿2,778
-24.25%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$36.32PKR 10.1K
$70.6฿2,308
-48.56%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hyderabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$119PKR 33.2K
$428฿14.0K
-72.16%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$68.1PKR 18.9K
$237฿7,759
-71.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$296PKR 82.3K
$801฿26.2K
-63.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$198PKR 55.2K
$515฿16.9K
-61.53%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$580PKR 161.4K
$1,975฿64.5K
-70.61%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$195PKR 54.2K
$1,475฿48.2K
-86.80%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hyderabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$171PKR 47.5K
$617฿20.2K
-72.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
15
5
200.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Hyderabad: May 30, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $119 in Hyderabad versus $428 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 262% 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 $11.00 in Hyderabad versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $89.0 vs $246 – making Hyderabad 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
Hyderabad vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Hyderabad or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 89% more than Hyderabad, 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 Hyderabad vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $688 per month in Hyderabad and $1,300 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Hyderabad or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Hyderabad, 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 Hyderabad and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $41.18 per month in Hyderabad and $299 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 Hyderabad or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 175% 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 $800/month in Hyderabad or Chiang Mai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $459 in Hyderabad and $866 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Hyderabad or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Hyderabad costs $459 versus $866 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Hyderabad 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 Hyderabad or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Hyderabad. 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.