🙂A single person spends $449 per month in Mianwali vs $866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $657 per month in Mianwali vs $1,351 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $865 per month in Mianwali vs $1,835 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂Mianwali is about 48% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Mianwali and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Mianwali66% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mianwali
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.09PKR 583
$1.94฿63.5
7.73%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$13.90PKR 3,868
$18.64฿609
-25.43%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.25PKR 1,182
$7.82฿255
-45.65%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.81PKR 782
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.73PKR 1,037
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.29PKR 638
$1.95฿63.8
17.44%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21PKR 57.1
$0.85฿27.77
-75.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21PKR 58.4
$0.35฿11.58
-40.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.13฿69.6
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.73฿122
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mianwali
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.64PKR 178
$1.71฿56.0
-62.57%
White Bread(500g)
$0.62PKR 171
$1.63฿53.2
-61.96%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.90PKR 249
$1.14฿37.15
-21.05%
Eggs
$1.21PKR 335
$1.93฿63.1
-37.31%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.03PKR 1,677
$16.21฿530
-62.80%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.92PKR 812
$3.12฿102
-6.41%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.58PKR 1,274
$10.90฿356
-57.98%
Apples(1kg)
$1.01PKR 281
$2.75฿90.0
-63.27%
Banana(1kg)
$0.63PKR 176
$1.21฿39.52
-47.93%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.57PKR 158
$1.62฿53.0
-64.81%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.22PKR 61.2
$1.59฿51.8
-86.16%
Potato(1kg)
$0.36PKR 98.8
$1.40฿45.70
-74.29%
Onion(1kg)
$0.36PKR 101
$1.17฿38.17
-69.23%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.44PKR 122
$0.66฿21.60
-33.33%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.38PKR 107
$0.53฿17.22
-28.30%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$0.93PKR 259
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.54PKR 151
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.07PKR 298
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.98PKR 552
$4.69฿153
-57.78%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$18.66฿609
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.80฿58.8
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.23฿106
-
🚌 Getting Around
Mianwali
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.20PKR 55.1
$0.90฿29.26
-77.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$7.16PKR 1,991
$19.21฿628
-62.73%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.69PKR 191
$1.41฿45.91
-51.06%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.49PKR 137
$1.29฿42.12
-62.02%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.72PKR 479
$7.84฿256
-78.06%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.90PKR 249
$1.27฿41.58
-29.13%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.5KPKR 4.9M
$21.3K฿694.9K
-17.64%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.7KPKR 6.6M
$22.2K฿725.4K
6.65%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mianwali
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$139PKR 38.6K
$69.1฿2,256
101.14%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.58PKR 995
$14.08฿460
-74.57%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.98PKR 4,724
$18.00฿588
-5.67%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mianwali
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$12.33PKR 3,429
$41.06฿1,341
-69.97%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.05PKR 1,684
$6.96฿227
-13.07%
Cinema Ticket
$4.37PKR 1,215
$5.92฿193
-26.18%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mianwali
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$34.38PKR 9,564
$299฿9,766
-88.50%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,244PKR 346.0K
$15.0K฿488.3K
-91.68%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mianwali
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$15.32PKR 4,261
$54.7฿1,787
-71.99%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$22.60PKR 6,286
$26.77฿874
-15.58%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$72.3PKR 20.1K
$85.0฿2,776
-14.91%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$30.15PKR 8,388
$70.6฿2,306
-57.29%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mianwali
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$76.2PKR 21.2K
$428฿14.0K
-82.19%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$52.3PKR 14.6K
$237฿7,752
-77.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$169PKR 47.1K
$801฿26.2K
-78.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$107PKR 29.9K
$515฿16.8K
-79.16%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$860PKR 239.2K
$1,975฿64.5K
-56.46%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$577PKR 160.5K
$1,475฿48.2K
-60.89%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mianwali
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$617฿20.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
19.88
5
297.60%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mianwali: June 1, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $76.2 in Mianwali 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.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $14.00 in Mianwali versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $88.0 vs $246 – making Mianwali 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
Mianwali vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Mianwali or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 93% more than Mianwali, 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 Mianwali vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $674 per month in Mianwali 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, Mianwali or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Mianwali, 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 Mianwali and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $34.38 per month in Mianwali 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 Mianwali or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 181% 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 Mianwali or Chiang Mai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $449 in Mianwali and $866 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Mianwali or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Mianwali costs $449 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 Mianwali 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 Mianwali or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Mianwali. 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.