🙂A single person spends $504 per month in Jhang vs $932 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $745 per month in Jhang vs $1,399 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $987 per month in Jhang vs $1,866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂Jhang is about 46% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Jhang and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Jhang63% lower, Chiang Mai32% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Jhang
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.56PKR 710
$2.08฿69.3
23.08%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.39PKR 3,984
$19.61฿653
-26.62%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.74PKR 1,589
$5.67฿189
1.23%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.62PKR 1,004
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.52PKR 1,528
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.67PKR 740
$1.81฿60.1
47.51%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43PKR 118
$0.77฿25.58
-44.16%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26PKR 72.1
$0.35฿11.49
-25.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.21฿73.7
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.79฿126
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Jhang
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.88PKR 243
$2.05฿68.2
-57.07%
White Bread(500g)
$0.67PKR 186
$1.51฿50.4
-55.63%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.16PKR 322
$1.40฿46.57
-17.14%
Eggs
$1.16PKR 321
$2.26฿75.2
-48.67%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.42PKR 1,779
$16.19฿539
-60.35%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.52PKR 697
$2.90฿96.4
-13.10%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.83PKR 1,339
$9.42฿314
-48.73%
Apples(1kg)
$1.19PKR 328
$2.68฿89.2
-55.60%
Banana(1kg)
$0.69PKR 190
$1.09฿36.28
-36.70%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.90PKR 248
$1.62฿53.8
-44.44%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.66PKR 182
$1.46฿48.61
-54.79%
Potato(1kg)
$0.28PKR 76.5
$1.28฿42.54
-78.13%
Onion(1kg)
$0.33PKR 90.2
$1.06฿35.21
-68.87%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.46PKR 128
$0.72฿23.88
-36.11%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.34PKR 93.2
$0.53฿17.51
-35.85%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.11PKR 308
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.61PKR 170
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.71PKR 474
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.11PKR 585
$4.23฿141
-50.12%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$18.29฿609
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.63฿54.3
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.90฿96.6
-
🚌 Getting Around
Jhang
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.18PKR 50.5
$0.88฿29.24
-79.55%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.27PKR 2,568
$53.8฿1,790
-82.76%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.87PKR 240
$1.17฿39.04
-25.64%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.74PKR 204
$0.58฿19.25
27.59%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.77PKR 490
$2.39฿79.4
-25.94%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.32PKR 364
$1.45฿48.28
-8.97%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.2KPKR 5.0M
$21.0K฿699.5K
-13.32%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KPKR 7.4M
$26.4K฿879.7K
1.59%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Jhang
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$129PKR 35.6K
$63.7฿2,119
101.98%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.11PKR 1,416
$12.89฿429
-60.36%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.53PKR 4,580
$20.52฿683
-19.44%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Jhang
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$16.25PKR 4,502
$39.02฿1,299
-58.35%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$3.92฿130
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.21PKR 1,167
$6.58฿219
-36.02%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Jhang
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$45.40PKR 12.6K
$784฿26.1K
-94.21%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,938PKR 536.7K
$14.7K฿488.4K
-86.79%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Jhang
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$17.42PKR 4,826
$55.1฿1,835
-68.39%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.94PKR 7,462
$24.74฿824
8.89%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$73.8PKR 20.4K
$94.1฿3,133
-21.59%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$31.40PKR 8,698
$74.0฿2,462
-57.54%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Jhang
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$131PKR 36.2K
$490฿16.3K
-73.38%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$66.8PKR 18.5K
$288฿9,594
-76.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$278PKR 77.1K
$891฿29.7K
-68.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$127PKR 35.3K
$521฿17.3K
-75.55%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$943PKR 261.2K
$1,974฿65.7K
-52.22%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$494PKR 136.9K
$1,444฿48.1K
-65.78%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Jhang
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$602฿20.0K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
14.28
5.57
156.37%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Jhang: September 13, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $131 in Jhang 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.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $14.00 in Jhang versus $20.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $95.0 vs $241 – making Jhang 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
Jhang vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Jhang or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 85% more than Jhang, 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 Jhang and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $756 per month in Jhang 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, Jhang or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Jhang, 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 Jhang and in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $45.40 per month in Jhang 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 Jhang or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 153% 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 $1,500/month in Jhang or in Chiang Mai?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Jhang, where all-in costs run around $504, than in Chiang Mai at $932. In Jhang 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, Jhang or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Jhang costs $504 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 Jhang 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 Jhang or to Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Jhang. 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.