How Much Does It Cost to Live In Pakistan?
Pakistan is a large country in South-Central Asia. It’s standing at the crossroads of Central Asia, East Asia, and South Asia and is a part of the Greater Middle East.
Generally, the cost of living is the same in all the cities of Pakistan, except for Islamabad, which is slightly more costly compared to other cities.
This, however, depends on your preferences and style of living.
For example, there are many families living happily here with around 300$ per month and many cannot fulfill their expenses with 1500$ per month.
Pakistan : Cost of Living by City
RESTAURANTS
Eating out will definitely be a draw from your budget, compared to the option of cooking for yourself, but if you’re coming from any of the more developed countries, you won’t find restaurants expensive at all.
A meal at an inexpensive restaurant will cost you less than 2$, while a dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant costs around 12$.
MARKETS
The price of groceries depends on where you go shopping.
You can find very good, quality food for the whole family for 200$.
The prices vary from sector to sector, as in F sector has higher food prices, while in the G sector prices are low.
In some of the cheaper cities of the country, groceries would cost you at least 30%+ more than they cost in other cities of Pakistan.
TRANSPORTATION
As for transportation costs, you have a couple of options.
If you use your own car, fuel will cost you around 100$ a month, including oil and regular maintenance cost.
Public transport is not very good and you will have to use rickshaws, which are very cheap.
However, qingqi rickshaw is very cheap but not available that often.
Be aware that, if you are from the West, most people will try to overcharge you as often as they can.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
The cost of bills for utilities depends greatly on the season: during winter they cost around 30$, while during summers they can go up to 200$ if you’re not careful with your AC!
Generally speaking, for an apartment of about 85m2, all basic utilities like electricity, gas, and garbage services cost around 60$ a month.
SPORTS & LEISURE
The cost of enjoying sports and fitness activities is definitely high for someone living and working in Pakistan long term – not as much for those who are only tourists coming from western countries.
If you want to become a member of a gym or a fitness club, it costs around 12$, while cinema tickets are relatively cheap – again, mostly for tourists – 4$ per ticket.
CLOTHING & SHOES
There are many shopping centers in Pakistan, and the prices of clothes are very low – significantly lower than in Europe or the US.
For quality jeans like Levi’s, you’ll pay only about 12$, while summer dresses and shirts in chain stores like Zara or Mango cost more, around 20$.
Running sneakers cost only around 40$ a pair.
RENT PER MONTH
With the economy growing and more places like Barhia Town being built and added to the general constitution of Pakistan, the rent is only going to go up.
You can get a nice one-bedroom apartment in the city center for around 100$.
It can be much cheaper if you opt to live below average or further from the city.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Pakistan
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $1.20 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $1.99 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $0.15 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $0.58 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $0.40 |
| Eggs (12) | $0.94 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $0.20 |
| Monthly Pass | $5.98 |
| Gasoline | $0.85 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $58.75 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.01 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $18.59 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $12.16 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $4.68 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $3.99 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $12.00 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $19.33 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $38.51 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $98.95 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $65.82 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $216.9 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Pakistan?
With rent prices being fairly low, food is definitely the first on the list of things an average Pakistani person spends in this country.
This percentage can go lower or higher, depending on where you go shopping.
The next expense is rent, but given that only 16% of an average paycheck gets spent on rent, it testifies to the fact that rent isn’t expensive.
Restaurants and transportation are other significant factors for the wallet, while utilities and sports are equally important in Pakistan if we’re looking at these percentages.
Average Costs Breakdown
Pakistan: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
The average salary is very low in Pakistan, considering the prices.
Although most things in this country are exceptionally cheap, a minimum wage of only 141.7$ cannot begin to cover everything.
Though the average salary is double the amount, it is still very difficult for people living in Pakistan to pay for their expenses (especially if they’re renting) and not have to worry about their existence in the long run.
If you’re planning on going to Pakistan, around 1000$ per person would definitely suffice – you could even splurge.
Pakistan Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Pakistan Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: HIGH
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: HIGH
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: HIGH
- TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
- SCAMS RISK: HIGH
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Cost of Living by City in Pakistan
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Islamabad | 25.86 |
| Karachi | 23.9 |
| Lahore | 25.83 |
It would make much more sense if the figures were given in PKR instead of USD. It would give a clearer picture of the subject matter.
Dollars and cents
If you are from Pakistan. Dollars makes more sense to me.
Inside south Asia
I prefer staying in Mumbai
I leave in Goa
Regarding job prefer Mumbai or Bangalore
I am from Goa
Language known
English Hindi konkani Urdu Marathi
Can speak little Kannada
Presently learning Japanese and simplified Chinese
I am a native konkani speaker
Name sachin casmiro pinto
Religion roman catholic
I really feel for them. May Allah make there struggles easier inshahallah.
I agree, using PKR instead of USD would enhance clarity
I agree, using PKR instead of USD would enhance clarity, especially for a Pakistani audience. Local currency aligns better with understanding and avoids confusion. Future reports should consider this suggestion.
Good Analysis 2024