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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $456 per month in Mianwali vs $861 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $665 per month in Mianwali vs $1,350 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $874 per month in Mianwali vs $1,838 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Mianwali is about 47% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Mianwali and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Mianwali 66% lower, Chiang Mai 36% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mianwali
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.11 PKR 585
$1.96 ฿65.8
7.65%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.07 PKR 3,906
$18.35 ฿617
-23.32%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.28 PKR 1,189
$7.48 ฿252
-42.78%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.87 PKR 798
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.75 PKR 1,041
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.35 PKR 652
$2.02 ฿67.8
16.34%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.20 PKR 54.6
$0.85 ฿28.50
-76.47%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21 PKR 58.2
$0.36 ฿11.96
-41.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.14 ฿71.8
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.59 ฿121
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mianwali
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.67 PKR 185
$1.65 ฿55.5
-59.39%
White Bread (500g)
$0.57 PKR 158
$1.57 ฿52.7
-63.69%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.90 PKR 249
$1.19 ฿40.02
-24.37%
Eggs
$1.17 PKR 326
$1.94 ฿65.1
-39.69%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.11 PKR 1,696
$16.19 ฿544
-62.26%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.92 PKR 811
$2.99 ฿101
-2.34%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.42 PKR 1,227
$10.94 ฿368
-59.60%
Apples (1kg)
$1.02 PKR 282
$2.71 ฿91.2
-62.36%
Banana (1kg)
$0.60 PKR 166
$1.17 ฿39.25
-48.72%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.60 PKR 168
$1.69 ฿56.7
-64.50%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.22 PKR 61.2
$1.60 ฿54.0
-86.25%
Potato (1kg)
$0.35 PKR 97.6
$1.38 ฿46.54
-74.64%
Onion (1kg)
$0.36 PKR 101
$1.20 ฿40.45
-70.00%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.45 PKR 125
$0.67 ฿22.50
-32.84%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.38 PKR 106
$0.56 ฿18.73
-32.14%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$1.05 PKR 291
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.51 PKR 142
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.11 PKR 308
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.89 PKR 525
$4.64 ฿156
-59.27%
Wine (Bottle)
-
$17.62 ฿593
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.86 ฿62.5
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.30 ฿111
-
🚌 Getting Around
Mianwali
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.16 PKR 44.36
$0.88 ฿29.68
-81.82%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$7.15 PKR 1,986
$19.34 ฿650
-63.03%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.73 PKR 203
$1.36 ฿45.90
-46.32%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.53 PKR 148
$1.34 ฿44.98
-60.45%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.82 PKR 504
$8.21 ฿276
-77.83%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.91 PKR 252
$1.22 ฿41.18
-25.41%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.4K PKR 4.8M
$21.4K ฿718.1K
-18.46%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.2K PKR 6.4M
$22.5K ฿757.7K
3.08%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mianwali
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$141 PKR 39.1K
$70.7 ฿2,376
99.12%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.63 PKR 1,009
$14.04 ฿472
-74.15%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.00 PKR 4,721
$17.49 ฿588
-2.80%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mianwali
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$12.23 PKR 3,396
$42.15 ฿1,417
-70.98%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.86 PKR 1,626
$6.88 ฿231
-14.83%
Cinema Ticket
$4.22 PKR 1,171
$5.92 ฿199
-28.72%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mianwali
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$35.40 PKR 9,829
$309 ฿10.4K
-88.53%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,233 PKR 342.5K
$14.9K ฿500.4K
-91.71%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mianwali
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$14.97 PKR 4,156
$55.8 ฿1,875
-73.15%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$23.37 PKR 6,490
$26.11 ฿878
-10.49%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$72.8 PKR 20.2K
$83.0 ฿2,792
-12.37%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$30.12 PKR 8,364
$70.5 ฿2,369
-57.25%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mianwali
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$74.7 PKR 20.8K
$432 ฿14.5K
-82.70%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$51.3 PKR 14.2K
$239 ฿8,035
-78.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$164 PKR 45.4K
$822 ฿27.7K
-80.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$105 PKR 29.1K
$512 ฿17.2K
-79.53%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$858 PKR 238.1K
$1,915 ฿64.4K
-55.21%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$412 PKR 114.4K
$1,467 ฿49.3K
-71.91%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mianwali
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$579 ฿19.5K
-
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: July 13, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $74.7 in Mianwali 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $14.00 in Mianwali versus $18.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $87.0 vs $243 – 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 89% 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 and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $685 per month in Mianwali 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, 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 in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $35.40 per month in Mianwali 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 Mianwali or in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 179% 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 in Chiang Mai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $456 in Mianwali and $861 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 $456 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 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 to 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.

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