🙂A single person spends $446 per month in Sheikhupura vs $869 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $671 per month in Sheikhupura vs $1,362 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $895 per month in Sheikhupura vs $1,855 in Chiang Mai, rent included.
🙂Sheikhupura is about 49% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Sheikhupura and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Sheikhupura67% lower, Chiang Mai35% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sheikhupura
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.75PKR 764
$1.98฿64.3
38.89%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.25PKR 3,963
$18.80฿612
-24.20%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.39PKR 1,499
$7.75฿252
-30.45%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.80PKR 500
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.84PKR 1,066
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.06PKR 574
$1.92฿62.5
7.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42PKR 118
$0.79฿25.79
-46.84%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.22PKR 60.9
$0.36฿11.62
-38.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.21฿72.1
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.66฿119
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sheikhupura
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.55PKR 154
$1.65฿53.8
-66.67%
White Bread(500g)
$0.52PKR 144
$1.63฿53.2
-68.10%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.04PKR 288
$1.19฿38.86
-12.61%
Eggs
$1.21PKR 337
$2.00฿65.1
-39.50%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.19PKR 1,720
$15.98฿520
-61.26%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$1.75PKR 487
$3.03฿98.5
-42.24%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$2.76PKR 767
$10.86฿354
-74.59%
Apples(1kg)
$1.04PKR 289
$2.76฿90.0
-62.32%
Banana(1kg)
$0.83PKR 230
$1.18฿38.42
-29.66%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.96PKR 268
$1.64฿53.5
-41.46%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.59PKR 165
$1.52฿49.51
-61.18%
Potato(1kg)
$0.42PKR 116
$1.38฿45.10
-69.57%
Onion(1kg)
$0.54PKR 149
$1.19฿38.84
-54.62%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.33PKR 92.0
$0.70฿22.86
-52.86%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40PKR 111
$0.56฿18.13
-28.57%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.41PKR 392
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.88PKR 243
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96PKR 546
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.13PKR 593
$4.58฿149
-53.49%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$16.56฿539
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.83฿59.5
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.20฿104
-
🚌 Getting Around
Sheikhupura
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.16PKR 44.85
$0.88฿28.56
-81.82%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$6.90PKR 1,919
$18.72฿610
-63.14%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.92PKR 256
$1.36฿44.16
-32.35%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.44PKR 121
$1.34฿43.65
-67.16%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.88PKR 800
$7.84฿256
-63.27%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.96PKR 267
$1.23฿39.92
-21.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.3KPKR 5.9M
$21.6K฿704.3K
-1.34%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2KPKR 7.3M
$22.5K฿734.3K
16.37%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sheikhupura
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$111PKR 31.0K
$70.5฿2,298
57.95%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.65PKR 1,572
$13.68฿445
-58.70%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.78PKR 5,221
$17.45฿568
7.62%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sheikhupura
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$12.25PKR 3,406
$41.33฿1,346
-70.36%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.06PKR 1,684
$6.96฿227
-12.93%
Cinema Ticket
$4.20PKR 1,167
$5.77฿188
-27.21%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sheikhupura
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$59.0PKR 16.4K
$307฿10.0K
-80.78%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,125PKR 312.7K
$14.6K฿475.9K
-92.30%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sheikhupura
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$21.70PKR 6,032
$55.8฿1,817
-61.10%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.77PKR 7,722
$26.21฿854
5.95%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$88.8PKR 24.7K
$85.8฿2,793
3.58%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$39.37PKR 10.9K
$72.2฿2,353
-45.50%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sheikhupura
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$76.2PKR 21.2K
$430฿14.0K
-82.27%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$52.9PKR 14.7K
$239฿7,774
-77.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$167PKR 46.5K
$817฿26.6K
-79.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$106PKR 29.5K
$511฿16.6K
-79.26%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,035PKR 287.8K
$1,983฿64.6K
-47.80%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$537PKR 149.4K
$1,484฿48.3K
-63.80%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sheikhupura
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$619฿20.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
20.2
5
304.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sheikhupura: June 7, 2026
Last update for Chiang Mai: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $76.2 in Sheikhupura versus $430 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 Sheikhupura versus $19.00 in Chiang Mai. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $81.0 vs $241 – making Sheikhupura 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
Sheikhupura vs Chiang Mai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Sheikhupura or Chiang Mai?
Chiang Mai costs about 95% more than Sheikhupura, 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 Sheikhupura vs Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $669 per month in Sheikhupura and $1,303 in Chiang Mai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Sheikhupura or Chiang Mai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Sheikhupura, 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 Sheikhupura and Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $59.0 per month in Sheikhupura and $307 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 Sheikhupura or Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 199% 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 $1,000/month in Sheikhupura or Chiang Mai?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $446 in Sheikhupura and $869 in Chiang Mai, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Sheikhupura or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Sheikhupura costs $446 versus $869 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Sheikhupura 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 Sheikhupura or Chiang Mai?
If budget matters most, go with Sheikhupura. 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.
Sheikhupura vs other spots: cost of living compared