Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Pakistan and Thailand

For one person, living is cheaper in Pakistan: $473 a month against $960 in Thailand, rent and utilities included – about $5,800 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

🇵🇰 Pakistan
$473
/mo nomad
🇹🇭 Thailand
$960
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Pakistan and in Thailand

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Pakistan and in Thailand actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $473 in Pakistan versus $960 in Thailand.

  • Pakistan $473
  • Thailand $960

Estimated couple costs with rent: $720 in Pakistan versus $1,558 in Thailand.

  • Pakistan $720
  • Thailand $1,558

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $968 in Pakistan versus $2,156 in Thailand.

  • Pakistan $968
  • Thailand $2,156

Internal cost variation is higher in Thailand: monthly costs span $609 to $2,098, compared to $291–$602 in Pakistan. City choice carries more weight in Thailand.

Living in Pakistan costs about 51% less than in Thailand on average.

Both countries sit below the global median: Pakistan 65% lower, Thailand 29% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Pakistan
Thailand
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.10 PKR 583
$2.95 ฿98.7
-28.81%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$13.70 PKR 3,793
$26.48 ฿885
-48.26%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.56 PKR 1,539
$6.57 ฿219
-15.37%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.14 PKR 591
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.46 PKR 1,234
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.98 PKR 549
$2.02 ฿67.5
-1.98%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37 PKR 104
$0.71 ฿23.64
-47.89%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21 PKR 58.0
$0.34 ฿11.24
-38.24%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.28 ฿76.1
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.62 ฿121
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Pakistan
Thailand
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.88 PKR 243
$1.76 ฿58.8
-50.00%
White Bread (500g)
$0.59 PKR 163
$1.40 ฿46.67
-57.86%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.21 PKR 336
$1.27 ฿42.35
-4.72%
Eggs
$1.22 PKR 337
$2.05 ฿68.6
-40.49%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.66 PKR 1,566
$16.65 ฿556
-66.01%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.82 PKR 779
$2.92 ฿97.5
-3.42%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$5.19 PKR 1,436
$10.99 ฿367
-52.78%
Apples (1kg)
$1.21 PKR 334
$2.83 ฿94.5
-57.24%
Banana (1kg)
$0.65 PKR 181
$1.30 ฿43.55
-50.00%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.89 PKR 247
$2.04 ฿68.1
-56.37%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.59 PKR 164
$1.74 ฿58.2
-66.09%
Potato (1kg)
$0.31 PKR 84.8
$1.48 ฿49.44
-79.05%
Onion (1kg)
$0.41 PKR 114
$1.28 ฿42.66
-67.97%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.35 PKR 95.5
$1.15 ฿38.46
-69.57%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.38 PKR 104
$0.54 ฿17.89
-29.63%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$2.07 PKR 573
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.12 PKR 309
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25 PKR 624
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.13 PKR 590
$4.40 ฿147
-51.59%
Wine (Bottle)
-
$17.20 ฿575
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.73 ฿57.7
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.77 ฿92.6
-
🚌 Getting Around
Pakistan
Thailand
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.16 PKR 44.06
$0.87 ฿29.06
-81.61%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$10.15 PKR 2,810
$35.04 ฿1,171
-71.03%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.88 PKR 244
$1.17 ฿39.08
-24.79%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.53 PKR 146
$1.15 ฿38.35
-53.91%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.12 PKR 586
$5.88 ฿197
-63.95%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.25 PKR 346
$1.40 ฿46.73
-10.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.2K PKR 5.0M
$31.9K ฿1.1M
-42.89%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.6K PKR 6.5M
$26.4K ฿882.1K
-10.71%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pakistan
Thailand
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$109 PKR 30.3K
$82.4 ฿2,753
32.88%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.40 PKR 1,495
$12.49 ฿418
-56.77%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.19 PKR 4,480
$18.61 ฿622
-13.00%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Pakistan
Thailand
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$17.15 PKR 4,746
$48.67 ฿1,627
-64.76%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.40 PKR 3,155
$11.48 ฿384
-0.70%
Cinema Ticket
$4.36 PKR 1,206
$6.74 ฿225
-35.31%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Pakistan
Thailand
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$46.28 PKR 12.8K
$529 ฿17.7K
-91.26%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,513 PKR 418.7K
$12.0K ฿402.4K
-87.43%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Pakistan
Thailand
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$17.14 PKR 4,745
$53.7 ฿1,795
-68.09%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$23.35 PKR 6,462
$32.09 ฿1,072
-27.24%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$75.7 PKR 21.0K
$89.4 ฿2,989
-15.36%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$35.05 PKR 9,701
$80.7 ฿2,695
-56.54%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Pakistan
Thailand
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$141 PKR 39.0K
$468 ฿15.6K
-69.90%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$78.9 PKR 21.8K
$286 ฿9,543
-72.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$322 PKR 89.1K
$1,251 ฿41.8K
-74.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$172 PKR 47.7K
$681 ฿22.8K
-74.71%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,047 PKR 289.7K
$3,628 ฿121.3K
-71.15%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$523 PKR 144.7K
$1,945 ฿65.0K
-73.12%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Pakistan
Thailand
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$189 PKR 52.4K
$563 ฿18.8K
-66.41%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
14.1
5.67
148.68%

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

Last update for Pakistan: October 18, 2026

Last update for Thailand: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pakistan
$131
Thailand
$113 13.4% $18
Groceries & Markets
Pakistan
$95
Thailand
$248 161% $153
Accommodation & Living
Pakistan
$79
Thailand
$286 262% $207
Clothing & Footwear
Pakistan
$68
Thailand
$115 69.2% $47
Eating Out
Pakistan
$60
Thailand
$90 51.4% $31
Sport & Entertainment
Pakistan
$26
Thailand
$62 140% $36
Getting Around
Pakistan
$14
Thailand
$45 218% $31

Cost Breakdown

National rent averages: $124 in Pakistan, $461 in Thailand. Capital cities: $269 in Islamabad vs $673 in Bangkok.

National salary averages: $185 in Pakistan, $614 in Thailand. Higher pay doesn't always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 272% higher in Thailand.

Dining out costs 108% more in Thailand.

Salaries are 232% higher in Thailand, and purchasing power comes out stronger in Thailand.

Good to know
🇵🇰 Pakistan
🇹🇭 Thailand
🕒 Local time
17:32 5:32 PM
19:32 7:32 PM
2 h ahead of Pakistan
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
223,773,700
66,188,503
💱 Currency
Thai Baht THB ฿
Exchange rates and currency converter

THB, USD, EUR to PKR – Pakistani Rupee Converter

Pakistani Rupee exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 277 PKR (1,000 PKR = 3.61 USD). 1 EUR = 311 PKR (1,000 PKR = 3.21 EUR).

Thai Baht exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 33.42 THB (100 THB = 2.99 USD). 1 EUR = 37.57 THB (100 THB = 2.66 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Pakistan Thailand 3,540 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Pakistan
  • Thailand

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Pakistan vs Thailand: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost difference between Pakistan and Thailand?
At $473 per month in Pakistan and $960 in Thailand, there's a 103% gap. Keep in mind it varies by city – the difference can be bigger or smaller depending on where you settle within each country.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Rent for a central one-bedroom averages $461 in Thailand and $124 in Pakistan. Rents vary a lot between cities, so the gap depends on where you settle.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget in Pakistan or in Thailand?
In Pakistan, $1,000 covers most cities easily; in Thailand it stretches only to regional areas and falls short in the capital – you'll need to make trade-offs on housing or lifestyle.
Should I move to Pakistan or to Thailand?
It depends on what you're after: Pakistan wins on affordability; Thailand may offer higher salaries, better infrastructure, and different cultural perks. Both attract large expat communities for different reasons.

Pakistan vs other spots: cost of living compared

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