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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $452 per month in Sheikhupura vs $852 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $670 per month in Sheikhupura vs $1,360 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $887 per month in Sheikhupura vs $1,867 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

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

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

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sheikhupura
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.78 PKR 772
$2.04 ฿68.2
36.27%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.03 PKR 3,895
$18.71 ฿624
-25.01%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.39 PKR 1,497
$7.86 ฿262
-31.42%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.80 PKR 499
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.96 PKR 1,099
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.05 PKR 568
$2.03 ฿67.7
0.99%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42 PKR 118
$0.80 ฿26.64
-47.50%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.22 PKR 60.9
$0.35 ฿11.68
-37.14%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.14 ฿71.5
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.67 ฿122
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sheikhupura
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.54 PKR 150
$1.73 ฿57.6
-68.79%
White Bread (500g)
$0.54 PKR 151
$1.57 ฿52.4
-65.61%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.04 PKR 287
$1.20 ฿39.99
-13.33%
Eggs
$1.21 PKR 337
$1.97 ฿65.8
-38.58%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.17 PKR 1,711
$16.23 ฿541
-61.98%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$1.75 PKR 487
$3.06 ฿102
-42.81%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$2.88 PKR 799
$10.80 ฿360
-73.33%
Apples (1kg)
$1.03 PKR 286
$2.77 ฿92.3
-62.82%
Banana (1kg)
$0.77 PKR 214
$1.17 ฿38.94
-34.19%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.91 PKR 251
$1.71 ฿57.0
-46.78%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.55 PKR 153
$1.59 ฿53.2
-65.41%
Potato (1kg)
$0.42 PKR 116
$1.39 ฿46.51
-69.78%
Onion (1kg)
$0.57 PKR 158
$1.16 ฿38.56
-50.86%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.31 PKR 84.8
$0.66 ฿22.05
-53.03%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.37 PKR 104
$0.52 ฿17.31
-28.85%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$1.42 PKR 393
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.88 PKR 243
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95 PKR 540
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.07 PKR 575
$4.65 ฿155
-55.48%
Wine (Bottle)
-
$17.78 ฿593
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.79 ฿59.6
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.34 ฿111
-
🚌 Getting Around
Sheikhupura
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.17 PKR 46.80
$0.91 ฿30.27
-81.32%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$6.99 PKR 1,939
$18.64 ฿622
-62.50%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.89 PKR 248
$1.41 ฿47.04
-36.88%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.43 PKR 120
$1.34 ฿44.70
-67.91%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.87 PKR 798
$8.11 ฿270
-64.61%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.90 PKR 251
$1.23 ฿41.16
-26.83%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.6K PKR 6.0M
$21.4K ฿715.1K
0.85%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K PKR 7.3M
$21.8K ฿728.0K
20.11%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sheikhupura
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$113 PKR 31.5K
$71.3 ฿2,379
59.02%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.46 PKR 1,516
$14.01 ฿467
-61.03%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.60 PKR 5,163
$17.93 ฿598
3.74%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sheikhupura
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$12.62 PKR 3,502
$40.82 ฿1,362
-69.08%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.90 PKR 1,638
$6.88 ฿230
-14.24%
Cinema Ticket
$4.19 PKR 1,163
$5.72 ฿191
-26.75%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sheikhupura
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$59.8 PKR 16.6K
$308 ฿10.3K
-80.61%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,088 PKR 302.1K
$14.7K ฿489.7K
-92.59%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sheikhupura
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$21.69 PKR 6,021
$55.8 ฿1,860
-61.11%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.57 PKR 7,652
$26.04 ฿869
5.88%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.9 PKR 24.1K
$84.8 ฿2,829
2.50%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$39.70 PKR 11.0K
$71.0 ฿2,368
-44.08%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sheikhupura
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$75.0 PKR 20.8K
$423 ฿14.1K
-82.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$51.0 PKR 14.2K
$242 ฿8,088
-78.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$168 PKR 46.7K
$797 ฿26.6K
-78.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$108 PKR 29.9K
$507 ฿16.9K
-78.75%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$859 PKR 238.3K
$1,918 ฿64.0K
-55.24%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$531 PKR 147.4K
$1,464 ฿48.8K
-63.73%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sheikhupura
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$595 ฿19.9K
-
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: July 27, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $75.0 in Sheikhupura versus $423 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: $80.0 vs $244 – 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 89% 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 and in Chiang Mai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $678 per month in Sheikhupura and $1,279 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 in Chiang Mai?
Kindergarten costs $59.8 per month in Sheikhupura and $308 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 in Chiang Mai?
Groceries cost about 205% 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 in Chiang Mai?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $452 in Sheikhupura and $852 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 $452 versus $852 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 to 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.

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