Pakistan (PK)
Pakistan is South Asia's second-largest country and a land of extraordinary contrasts — from the towering Karakoram peaks in the north to the bustling port city of Karachi on the Arabian Sea.
Capital: Islamabad
Region: Asia
Language: Urdu
Currency: PKR (₨)
Cost of living: Very affordable (index 20)
Emergency: 15
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Cost of Living
Real prices in Pakistan — 2026 data in PKR.
20
Cost of living index
(100 = NYC reference)
Very affordable compared to major global cities. Your money goes a long way here.
Food & Groceries
Rice 5kg (Basmati, local brand) PKR 2,500–5,000
Eggs 12 (local) PKR 400–700
Milk 1L (Olpers/Nestle) PKR 200–280
Chicken 1kg (fresh, market) PKR 700–1,100
Tomatoes 1kg (local market) PKR 80–200
Onion 1kg PKR 60–180
Imported groceries basket (weekly, Carrefour/Imtiaz) PKR 20,000–60,000
Bottle of imported soft drink / juice 1L PKR 150–350
Dining Out
Local lunch (dhaba, biryani/daal chawal) PKR 400–1,200
Mid-range restaurant, per person PKR 2,000–5,000
Fast food meal (McDonald's/KFC Pakistan) PKR 1,500–3,500
Cappuccino / specialty coffee (Islamabad/Lahore café) PKR 700–1,500
Fresh juice / lassi (street stall) PKR 100–400
Dinner for two, mid-range restaurant with drinks PKR 6,000–18,000
Pizza at restaurant PKR 1,500–4,000
Rent
1BR apartment, Islamabad / Lahore (good area) PKR 80,000–250,000/month
2BR apartment, Islamabad / Lahore (expat area) PKR 150,000–450,000/month
3BR expat house/apartment, Islamabad (F-6/F-7/DHA) PKR 250,000–800,000+/month
Karachi Defence/Clifton expat housing PKR 200,000–900,000+/month
1BR apartment, Lahore DHA Phase (basic) PKR 60,000–150,000/month
Room in shared flat, Islamabad PKR 30,000–70,000/month
Transport
Short InDrive/Bykea ride (5km, city) PKR 400–1,500
Islamabad Metro Bus (single fare) PKR 25–50
Lahore Orange Line Metro (single fare) PKR 30–60
Private driver monthly salary PKR 45,000–120,000+/month
Intercity bus Islamabad–Lahore (Daewoo/Faisal Movers) PKR 2,000–5,000
Domestic flight Islamabad–Karachi (PIA/AirSial) PKR 15,000–45,000
Petrol 1L (OGRA price, RON 92) PKR 250–310
Health & Insurance
Private GP consultation (Shifa/Agha Khan/Doctors Hospital) PKR 2,000–6,000
Specialist consultation (private hospital) PKR 3,000–12,000
Dental check-up and cleaning (private clinic) PKR 3,000–10,000
Blood test panel (private lab, CBC + LFT) PKR 3,000–12,000
Generic prescription medication (pharmacy, 30 days) PKR 500–4,000
International health + evacuation insurance (annual) PKR 140,000–560,000/year
Private health insurance premium (monthly, national insurer) PKR 8,000–35,000/month
Utilities
Electricity + gas + water (LESCO/IESCO, monthly) PKR 30,000–150,000+/month (AC-heavy in summer)
Home broadband 25–50 Mbps (PTCL/StormFiber/NayaTel) PKR 3,000–12,000/month
Mobile data plan 20–30GB (Jazz/Telenor/Ufone) PKR 1,000–4,000/month
Generator diesel/UPS maintenance (monthly) PKR 15,000–60,000/month
Gas cylinder LPG (11.8kg, alternative to gas line) PKR 3,500–5,500
Childcare
Private preschool/daycare (monthly) PKR 25,000–120,000/month
English-medium private school (monthly tuition) PKR 15,000–80,000/month
International school annual package PKR 1,390,000–6,950,000/year
Nanny/domestic helper salary PKR 25,000–80,000/month
Private tutor (per hour) PKR 1,500–6,000
Leisure
Gym membership (Islamabad/Lahore, mid-range) PKR 6,000–25,000/month
Cinema ticket (Cinepax/Nueplex) PKR 700–2,000
Netflix Pakistan (monthly) PKR 770–2,000/month
Swimming club / sports club (monthly) PKR 10,000–40,000/month
Yoga / fitness class (session) PKR 1,500–5,000
Haircut (barber/salon, Islamabad) PKR 500–3,000
Cost of Living
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