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 $509 per month in Sheikhupura vs $932 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A couple spends around $795 per month in Sheikhupura vs $1,399 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,081 per month in Sheikhupura vs $1,866 in Chiang Mai, rent included.

Sheikhupura is about 45% cheaper than Chiang Mai, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Sheikhupura and Chiang Mai are more affordable than the global median – Sheikhupura 63% lower, Chiang Mai 32% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sheikhupura
Chiang Mai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.66 PKR 1,013
$2.08 ฿69.3
75.96%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.26 PKR 6,443
$19.61 ฿653
18.61%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.51 PKR 1,526
$5.67 ฿189
-2.82%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.51 PKR 971
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.76 PKR 1,873
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.53 PKR 701
$1.81 ฿60.1
39.78%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33 PKR 90.3
$0.77 ฿25.58
-57.14%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21 PKR 57.9
$0.35 ฿11.49
-40.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.21 ฿73.7
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.79 ฿126
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sheikhupura
Chiang Mai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.95 PKR 262
$2.05 ฿68.2
-53.66%
White Bread (500g)
$0.80 PKR 222
$1.51 ฿50.4
-47.02%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.25 PKR 348
$1.40 ฿46.57
-10.71%
Eggs
$1.27 PKR 351
$2.26 ฿75.2
-43.81%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.03 PKR 1,670
$16.19 ฿539
-62.75%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.19 PKR 884
$2.90 ฿96.4
10.00%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$5.23 PKR 1,448
$9.42 ฿314
-44.48%
Apples (1kg)
$1.27 PKR 351
$2.68 ฿89.2
-52.61%
Banana (1kg)
$0.86 PKR 238
$1.09 ฿36.28
-21.10%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.08 PKR 299
$1.62 ฿53.8
-33.33%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.53 PKR 147
$1.46 ฿48.61
-63.70%
Potato (1kg)
$0.26 PKR 71.9
$1.28 ฿42.54
-79.69%
Onion (1kg)
$0.33 PKR 90.3
$1.06 ฿35.21
-68.87%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.28 PKR 76.6
$0.72 ฿23.88
-61.11%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.43 PKR 118
$0.53 ฿17.51
-18.87%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$1.79 PKR 496
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.23 PKR 342
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.59 PKR 718
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.40 PKR 664
$4.23 ฿141
-43.26%
Wine (Bottle)
-
$18.29 ฿609
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.63 ฿54.3
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.90 ฿96.6
-
🚌 Getting Around
Sheikhupura
Chiang Mai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.21 PKR 57.0
$0.88 ฿29.24
-76.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$8.81 PKR 2,441
$53.8 ฿1,790
-83.62%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.24 PKR 343
$1.17 ฿39.04
5.98%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.69 PKR 190
$0.58 ฿19.25
18.97%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.65 PKR 456
$2.39 ฿79.4
-30.96%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.30 PKR 360
$1.45 ฿48.28
-10.34%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.9K PKR 6.1M
$21.0K ฿699.5K
4.38%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.4K PKR 6.7M
$26.4K ฿879.7K
-7.84%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sheikhupura
Chiang Mai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$104 PKR 28.7K
$63.7 ฿2,119
62.80%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.78 PKR 1,602
$12.89 ฿429
-55.16%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.94 PKR 4,415
$20.52 ฿683
-22.32%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sheikhupura
Chiang Mai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$14.98 PKR 4,148
$39.02 ฿1,299
-61.61%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$3.92 ฿130
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.44 PKR 1,229
$6.58 ฿219
-32.52%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sheikhupura
Chiang Mai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$75.8 PKR 21.0K
$784 ฿26.1K
-90.33%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$997 PKR 276.1K
$14.7K ฿488.4K
-93.21%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sheikhupura
Chiang Mai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$24.52 PKR 6,791
$55.1 ฿1,835
-55.51%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.37 PKR 9,797
$24.74 ฿824
42.97%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$97.1 PKR 26.9K
$94.1 ฿3,133
3.18%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$40.46 PKR 11.2K
$74.0 ฿2,462
-45.29%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sheikhupura
Chiang Mai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$145 PKR 40.1K
$490 ฿16.3K
-70.51%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$79.9 PKR 22.1K
$288 ฿9,594
-72.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$258 PKR 71.5K
$891 ฿29.7K
-71.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$142 PKR 39.3K
$521 ฿17.3K
-72.79%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$968 PKR 268.1K
$1,974 ฿65.7K
-50.96%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$516 PKR 143.1K
$1,444 ฿48.1K
-64.24%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sheikhupura
Chiang Mai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$602 ฿20.0K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.08
5.57
134.83%

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

Last update for Sheikhupura: September 12, 2026

Last update for Chiang Mai: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $145 in Sheikhupura versus $490 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 $23.00 in Sheikhupura versus $20.00 in Chiang Mai. Groceries tell a different story – $103 in Sheikhupura vs $241 in Chiang Mai – so Sheikhupura wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 83% 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 $763 per month in Sheikhupura and $1,398 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 $75.8 per month in Sheikhupura and $784 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 133% 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 $1,500/month in Sheikhupura or in Chiang Mai?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Sheikhupura, where all-in costs run around $509, than in Chiang Mai at $932. In Sheikhupura it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Sheikhupura or Chiang Mai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Sheikhupura costs $509 versus $932 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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