Cost of Living Comparison Between Hyderabad and Chiang Mai Cost of Living Comparison Between Hyderabad and Chiang Mai

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $437 per month in Hyderabad vs $932 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $680 per month in Hyderabad vs $1,399 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $923 per month in Hyderabad vs $1,866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Hyderabad is about 53% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Hyderabad and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Hyderabad 68% lower, Chiang Mai 32% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hyderabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.68 PKR 465
$2.08 ฿69.5
-19.23%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.76 PKR 2,982
$19.61 ฿655
-45.13%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.22 PKR 1,170
$5.67 ฿189
-25.57%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.12 PKR 588
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.86 PKR 1,624
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.04 PKR 287
$1.81 ฿60.3
-42.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.38 PKR 104
$0.77 ฿25.65
-50.65%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.24 PKR 66.7
$0.35 ฿11.53
-31.43%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.21 ฿73.9
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.79 ฿127
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hyderabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.81 PKR 225
$2.05 ฿68.4
-60.49%
White Bread (500g)
$0.56 PKR 155
$1.51 ฿50.6
-62.91%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.19 PKR 331
$1.40 ฿46.69
-15.00%
Eggs
$1.27 PKR 351
$2.26 ฿75.4
-43.81%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.44 PKR 1,229
$16.19 ฿540
-72.58%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.11 PKR 862
$2.90 ฿96.7
7.24%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.13 PKR 1,143
$9.42 ฿314
-56.16%
Apples (1kg)
$1.02 PKR 282
$2.68 ฿89.4
-61.94%
Banana (1kg)
$0.41 PKR 113
$1.09 ฿36.37
-62.39%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.68 PKR 190
$1.62 ฿54.0
-58.02%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.44 PKR 121
$1.46 ฿48.74
-69.86%
Potato (1kg)
$0.32 PKR 87.7
$1.28 ฿42.65
-75.00%
Onion (1kg)
$0.33 PKR 92.3
$1.06 ฿35.31
-68.87%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.39 PKR 109
$0.72 ฿23.94
-45.83%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40 PKR 111
$0.53 ฿17.56
-24.53%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$0.92 PKR 254
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14 PKR 315
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.70 PKR 194
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.82 PKR 504
$4.23 ฿141
-56.97%
Wine (Bottle)
-
$18.29 ฿611
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.63 ฿54.4
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.90 ฿96.8
-
🚌 Getting Around
Hyderabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.20 PKR 56.1
$0.88 ฿29.32
-77.27%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$10.15 PKR 2,811
$53.8 ฿1,795
-81.12%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.61 PKR 170
$1.17 ฿39.14
-47.86%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.18 PKR 50.3
$0.58 ฿19.30
-68.97%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$0.75 PKR 206
$2.39 ฿79.6
-68.62%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.16 PKR 322
$1.45 ฿48.41
-20.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.8K PKR 4.9M
$21.0K ฿701.4K
-15.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9K PKR 7.2M
$26.4K ฿882.0K
-1.99%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hyderabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$109 PKR 30.3K
$63.7 ฿2,125
71.61%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.37 PKR 1,488
$12.89 ฿430
-58.34%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.32 PKR 3,690
$20.52 ฿685
-35.09%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hyderabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$23.13 PKR 6,407
$39.02 ฿1,302
-40.72%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.65 PKR 1,010
$3.92 ฿131
-6.89%
Cinema Ticket
$3.68 PKR 1,019
$6.58 ฿220
-44.07%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hyderabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$50.4 PKR 14.0K
$784 ฿26.2K
-93.57%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,338 PKR 370.6K
$14.7K ฿489.8K
-90.88%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hyderabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$15.62 PKR 4,327
$55.1 ฿1,840
-71.66%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$21.81 PKR 6,042
$24.74 ฿826
-11.84%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$69.3 PKR 19.2K
$94.1 ฿3,142
-26.36%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$37.71 PKR 10.4K
$74.0 ฿2,469
-49.01%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hyderabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$133 PKR 36.8K
$490 ฿16.4K
-72.89%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$75.8 PKR 21.0K
$288 ฿9,620
-73.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$311 PKR 86.1K
$891 ฿29.8K
-65.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$210 PKR 58.1K
$521 ฿17.4K
-59.76%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$771 PKR 213.5K
$1,974 ฿65.9K
-60.96%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,444 ฿48.2K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hyderabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$158 PKR 43.7K
$602 ฿20.1K
-73.80%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
12.88
5.57
131.24%

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

Last update for Hyderabad: September 13, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $133 in Hyderabad versus $490 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 282% 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 $20.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $85.0 vs $241 – 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 113% 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 and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $655 per month in Hyderabad and $1,398 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 in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $50.4 per month in Hyderabad and $784 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 in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 182% 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 $1,000/month in Hyderabad or in Chiang Mai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Hyderabad, where all-in costs run around $437, than in Chiang Mai at $932. In Hyderabad it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Hyderabad or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Hyderabad costs $437 versus $932 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 to 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.

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