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 $459 per month in Hyderabad vs $861 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $699 per month in Hyderabad vs $1,350 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $939 per month in Hyderabad vs $1,838 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 – Hyderabad 66% lower, Chiang Mai 36% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hyderabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.82 PKR 504
$1.96 ฿65.9
-7.14%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.42 PKR 2,894
$18.35 ฿617
-43.22%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.05 PKR 1,124
$7.48 ฿252
-45.86%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.00 PKR 556
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.26 PKR 1,462
-
-
Cappuccino
$0.93 PKR 259
$2.02 ฿67.8
-53.96%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.34 PKR 94.1
$0.85 ฿28.52
-60.00%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23 PKR 64.1
$0.36 ฿11.97
-36.11%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.14 ฿71.9
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.59 ฿121
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hyderabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.73 PKR 203
$1.65 ฿55.5
-55.76%
White Bread (500g)
$0.50 PKR 139
$1.57 ฿52.7
-68.15%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.16 PKR 323
$1.19 ฿40.05
-2.52%
Eggs
$1.11 PKR 308
$1.94 ฿65.1
-42.78%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.05 PKR 1,681
$16.19 ฿545
-62.63%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.71 PKR 752
$2.99 ฿101
-9.36%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.18 PKR 1,161
$10.94 ฿368
-61.79%
Apples (1kg)
$1.08 PKR 301
$2.71 ฿91.2
-60.15%
Banana (1kg)
$0.55 PKR 152
$1.17 ฿39.27
-52.99%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.87 PKR 241
$1.69 ฿56.8
-48.52%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.52 PKR 144
$1.60 ฿54.0
-67.50%
Potato (1kg)
$0.36 PKR 98.7
$1.38 ฿46.56
-73.91%
Onion (1kg)
$0.51 PKR 140
$1.20 ฿40.47
-57.50%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.39 PKR 107
$0.67 ฿22.51
-41.79%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.44 PKR 122
$0.56 ฿18.74
-21.43%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$0.88 PKR 245
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.25 PKR 348
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09 PKR 580
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.17 PKR 603
$4.64 ฿156
-53.23%
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
Hyderabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.15 PKR 42.60
$0.88 ฿29.70
-82.95%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$9.50 PKR 2,638
$19.34 ฿651
-50.88%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.65 PKR 180
$1.36 ฿45.92
-52.21%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.20 PKR 55.1
$1.34 ฿45.00
-85.07%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$0.72 PKR 200
$8.21 ฿276
-91.23%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.88 PKR 244
$1.22 ฿41.20
-27.87%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$16.9K PKR 4.7M
$21.4K ฿718.5K
-21.08%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.0K PKR 6.4M
$22.5K ฿758.1K
1.92%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hyderabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$135 PKR 37.4K
$70.7 ฿2,378
90.63%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.61 PKR 1,280
$14.04 ฿472
-67.17%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.27 PKR 3,686
$17.49 ฿589
-24.13%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hyderabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$20.84 PKR 5,787
$42.15 ฿1,418
-50.56%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.45 PKR 959
$6.88 ฿231
-49.85%
Cinema Ticket
$3.51 PKR 976
$5.92 ฿199
-40.71%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hyderabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$41.17 PKR 11.4K
$309 ฿10.4K
-86.66%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,109 PKR 307.9K
$14.9K ฿500.7K
-92.55%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hyderabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$17.58 PKR 4,881
$55.8 ฿1,876
-68.47%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.02 PKR 6,947
$26.11 ฿879
-4.17%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$64.6 PKR 17.9K
$83.0 ฿2,793
-22.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$36.40 PKR 10.1K
$70.5 ฿2,371
-48.33%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hyderabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$118 PKR 32.8K
$432 ฿14.5K
-72.62%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$68.0 PKR 18.9K
$239 ฿8,040
-71.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$294 PKR 81.7K
$822 ฿27.7K
-64.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$194 PKR 54.0K
$512 ฿17.2K
-62.02%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$590 PKR 163.7K
$1,915 ฿64.4K
-69.21%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$196 PKR 54.4K
$1,467 ฿49.4K
-86.64%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hyderabad
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$174 PKR 48.4K
$579 ฿19.5K
-69.91%
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: July 11, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $118 in Hyderabad 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 232% 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 $10.00 in Hyderabad versus $18.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $89.0 vs $243 – 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 88% 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 $688 per month in Hyderabad 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, 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 $41.17 per month in Hyderabad 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 Hyderabad or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 173% 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 in Chiang Mai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $459 in Hyderabad and $861 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 $861 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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