Cost of Living Comparison Between Rahim Yar Khan and Chiang Mai Cost of Living Comparison Between Rahim Yar Khan and Chiang Mai

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $380 per month in Rahim Yar Khan vs $866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $531 per month in Rahim Yar Khan vs $1,351 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $683 per month in Rahim Yar Khan vs $1,835 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Rahim Yar Khan is about 56% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Rahim Yar Khan and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Rahim Yar Khan 72% lower, Chiang Mai 35% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Rahim Yar Khan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.76 PKR 489
$1.94 ฿63.6
-9.28%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$8.74 PKR 2,430
$18.64 ฿609
-53.11%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.36 PKR 934
$7.82 ฿256
-57.03%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.73 PKR 480
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.16 PKR 880
-
-
Cappuccino
$0.84 PKR 233
$1.95 ฿63.9
-56.92%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.24 PKR 67.2
$0.85 ฿27.80
-71.76%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.16 PKR 44.38
$0.35 ฿11.60
-54.29%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.13 ฿69.7
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.73 ฿122
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Rahim Yar Khan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.60 PKR 166
$1.71 ฿56.0
-64.91%
White Bread (500g)
$0.60 PKR 167
$1.63 ฿53.3
-63.19%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.08 PKR 300
$1.14 ฿37.18
-5.26%
Eggs
$1.08 PKR 299
$1.93 ฿63.2
-44.04%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.22 PKR 1,175
$16.21 ฿530
-73.97%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.20 PKR 611
$3.12 ฿102
-29.49%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$3.12 PKR 868
$10.90 ฿356
-71.38%
Apples (1kg)
$0.87 PKR 241
$2.75 ฿90.1
-68.36%
Banana (1kg)
$0.72 PKR 199
$1.21 ฿39.56
-40.50%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.58 PKR 161
$1.62 ฿53.0
-64.20%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.48 PKR 133
$1.59 ฿51.9
-69.81%
Potato (1kg)
$0.37 PKR 103
$1.40 ฿45.75
-73.57%
Onion (1kg)
$0.40 PKR 111
$1.17 ฿38.20
-65.81%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.56 PKR 157
$0.66 ฿21.62
-15.15%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.29 PKR 79.8
$0.53 ฿17.24
-45.28%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$1.78 PKR 495
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.60 PKR 446
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.85 PKR 515
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.00 PKR 557
$4.69 ฿153
-57.36%
Wine (Bottle)
-
$18.66 ฿610
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.80 ฿58.8
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.23 ฿106
-
🚌 Getting Around
Rahim Yar Khan
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.20 PKR 54.6
$0.90 ฿29.28
-77.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$6.90 PKR 1,918
$19.21 ฿628
-64.08%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.07 PKR 299
$1.41 ฿45.96
-24.11%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.41 PKR 113
$1.29 ฿42.16
-68.22%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.37 PKR 382
$7.84 ฿256
-82.53%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.93 PKR 259
$1.27 ฿41.62
-26.77%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.7K PKR 6.3M
$21.3K ฿695.5K
6.80%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.8K PKR 6.1M
$22.2K ฿726.1K
-1.78%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rahim Yar Khan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$104 PKR 29.1K
$69.1 ฿2,258
51.27%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.25 PKR 903
$14.08 ฿460
-76.92%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.99 PKR 3,892
$18.00 ฿588
-22.28%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Rahim Yar Khan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$14.07 PKR 3,913
$41.06 ฿1,342
-65.73%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.98 PKR 1,663
$6.96 ฿227
-14.08%
Cinema Ticket
$2.61 PKR 726
$5.92 ฿193
-55.91%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Rahim Yar Khan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$17.53 PKR 4,878
$299 ฿9,775
-94.14%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$886 PKR 246.3K
$15.0K ฿488.8K
-94.08%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Rahim Yar Khan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$12.17 PKR 3,385
$54.7 ฿1,788
-77.75%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$21.01 PKR 5,843
$26.77 ฿875
-21.52%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$52.8 PKR 14.7K
$85.0 ฿2,778
-37.89%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$28.71 PKR 7,986
$70.6 ฿2,308
-59.33%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Rahim Yar Khan
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$81.1 PKR 22.6K
$428 ฿14.0K
-81.06%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$62.5 PKR 17.4K
$237 ฿7,759
-73.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$110 PKR 30.7K
$801 ฿26.2K
-86.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$94.8 PKR 26.4K
$515 ฿16.9K
-81.61%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$975 PKR 271.2K
$1,975 ฿64.5K
-50.63%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$510 PKR 141.8K
$1,475 ฿48.2K
-65.44%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Rahim Yar Khan
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$617 ฿20.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
17.43
5
248.60%

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

Last update for Rahim Yar Khan: June 1, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $81.1 in Rahim Yar Khan 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 $9.00 in Rahim Yar Khan versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $75.0 vs $246 – making Rahim Yar Khan 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
Rahim Yar Khan vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Rahim Yar Khan or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 128% more than Rahim Yar Khan, 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 Rahim Yar Khan vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $569 per month in Rahim Yar Khan 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, Rahim Yar Khan or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Rahim Yar Khan, 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 Rahim Yar Khan and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $17.53 per month in Rahim Yar Khan 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 Rahim Yar Khan or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 230% 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 Rahim Yar Khan or Chiang Mai?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $380 in Rahim Yar Khan and $866 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Rahim Yar Khan or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Rahim Yar Khan costs $380 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 Rahim Yar Khan 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 Rahim Yar Khan or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Rahim Yar Khan. 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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