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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $390 per month in Mehar vs $866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $584 per month in Mehar vs $1,351 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $778 per month in Mehar vs $1,835 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Mehar is about 55% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Mehar and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Mehar 71% lower, Chiang Mai 35% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mehar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.75 PKR 488
$1.94 ฿63.8
-9.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.59 PKR 2,946
$18.64 ฿611
-43.19%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.99 PKR 1,110
$7.82 ฿256
-48.98%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.74 PKR 484
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44 PKR 957
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.44 PKR 402
$1.95 ฿64.1
-26.15%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35 PKR 96.3
$0.85 ฿27.88
-58.82%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23 PKR 64.1
$0.35 ฿11.63
-34.29%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.13 ฿69.9
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.73 ฿122
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mehar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.78 PKR 216
$1.71 ฿56.2
-54.39%
White Bread (500g)
$0.56 PKR 156
$1.63 ฿53.4
-65.64%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.20 PKR 334
$1.14 ฿37.30
5.26%
Eggs
$1.17 PKR 326
$1.93 ฿63.4
-39.38%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.12 PKR 1,703
$16.21 ฿532
-62.25%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.68 PKR 747
$3.12 ฿102
-14.10%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$3.77 PKR 1,050
$10.90 ฿357
-65.41%
Apples (1kg)
$1.04 PKR 289
$2.75 ฿90.3
-62.18%
Banana (1kg)
$0.65 PKR 180
$1.21 ฿39.68
-46.28%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.61 PKR 170
$1.62 ฿53.2
-62.35%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.48 PKR 133
$1.59 ฿52.0
-69.81%
Potato (1kg)
$0.38 PKR 105
$1.40 ฿45.89
-72.86%
Onion (1kg)
$0.51 PKR 141
$1.17 ฿38.32
-56.41%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.33 PKR 93.1
$0.66 ฿21.69
-50.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.34 PKR 93.7
$0.53 ฿17.29
-35.85%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$1.49 PKR 416
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.93 PKR 259
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03 PKR 565
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.92 PKR 535
$4.69 ฿154
-59.06%
Wine (Bottle)
-
$18.66 ฿612
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.80 ฿59.0
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.23 ฿106
-
🚌 Getting Around
Mehar
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.20 PKR 55.2
$0.90 ฿29.37
-77.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$7.24 PKR 2,013
$19.21 ฿630
-62.31%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.91 PKR 255
$1.41 ฿46.10
-35.46%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.44 PKR 122
$1.29 ฿42.29
-65.89%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.82 PKR 507
$7.84 ฿257
-76.79%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.91 PKR 253
$1.27 ฿41.75
-28.35%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.5K PKR 6.0M
$21.3K ฿697.7K
1.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.2K PKR 6.5M
$22.2K ฿728.3K
4.57%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mehar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$103 PKR 28.6K
$69.1 ฿2,265
49.04%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.08 PKR 1,136
$14.08 ฿462
-71.02%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.55 PKR 3,770
$18.00 ฿590
-24.72%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mehar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$12.53 PKR 3,487
$41.06 ฿1,346
-69.48%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.98 PKR 1,665
$6.96 ฿228
-14.08%
Cinema Ticket
$3.52 PKR 980
$5.92 ฿194
-40.54%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mehar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$30.10 PKR 8,377
$299 ฿9,805
-89.93%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,126 PKR 313.4K
$15.0K ฿490.3K
-92.47%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mehar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$14.93 PKR 4,155
$54.7 ฿1,794
-72.71%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$21.83 PKR 6,076
$26.77 ฿878
-18.45%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$70.0 PKR 19.5K
$85.0 ฿2,787
-17.66%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$29.41 PKR 8,183
$70.6 ฿2,315
-58.34%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mehar
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$73.9 PKR 20.6K
$428 ฿14.0K
-82.75%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$50.8 PKR 14.1K
$237 ฿7,782
-78.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$167 PKR 46.6K
$801 ฿26.3K
-79.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$106 PKR 29.5K
$515 ฿16.9K
-79.47%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,059 PKR 294.8K
$1,975 ฿64.7K
-46.35%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$463 PKR 128.9K
$1,475 ฿48.4K
-68.59%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mehar
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$106 PKR 29.5K
$617 ฿20.2K
-82.85%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
19
5
280.00%

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

Last update for Mehar: June 1, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $73.9 in Mehar 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 483% 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 Mehar versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $87.0 vs $246 – making Mehar 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
Mehar vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Mehar or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 122% more than Mehar, 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 Mehar vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $586 per month in Mehar 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, Mehar or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Mehar, 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 Mehar and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $30.10 per month in Mehar 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 Mehar or 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 $800/month in Mehar or Chiang Mai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $390 in Mehar and $866 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Mehar or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Mehar costs $390 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 Mehar 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 Mehar or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Mehar. 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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