🙂A single person spends $310 per month in Abbottabad vs $543 in Islamabad, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $480 per month in Abbottabad vs $851 in Islamabad, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $651 per month in Abbottabad vs $1,159 in Islamabad, rent included.
🙂Abbottabad is about 43% cheaper than Islamabad, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Abbottabad and Islamabad are more affordable than the global median – Abbottabad77% lower, Islamabad59% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Abbottabad
Islamabad
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.72PKR 479
$2.87PKR 802
-40.07%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.32PKR 3,439
$14.22PKR 3,968
-13.36%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.19PKR 1,449
$5.23PKR 1,461
-0.76%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74PKR 486
$1.74PKR 486
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.74PKR 486
$3.82PKR 1,067
-54.45%
Cappuccino
$1.39PKR 388
$2.05PKR 573
-32.20%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33PKR 92.5
$0.39PKR 109
-15.38%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21PKR 58.4
$0.22PKR 61.3
-4.55%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Abbottabad
Islamabad
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.77PKR 214
$0.96PKR 267
-19.79%
White Bread(500g)
$0.66PKR 184
$0.61PKR 171
8.20%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.15PKR 320
$1.27PKR 356
-9.45%
Eggs
$1.22PKR 341
$1.21PKR 337
0.83%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.45PKR 964
$6.17PKR 1,722
-44.08%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.31PKR 645
$3.49PKR 975
-33.81%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.33PKR 1,209
$4.39PKR 1,226
-1.37%
Apples(1kg)
$0.84PKR 236
$1.03PKR 289
-18.45%
Banana(1kg)
$0.73PKR 203
$0.82PKR 230
-10.98%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.77PKR 215
$0.94PKR 264
-18.09%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.50PKR 140
$0.56PKR 155
-10.71%
Potato(1kg)
$0.32PKR 90.4
$0.38PKR 106
-15.79%
Onion(1kg)
$0.52PKR 146
$0.53PKR 147
-1.89%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.34PKR 93.7
$0.33PKR 92.7
3.03%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.16PKR 44.06
$0.37PKR 104
-56.76%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.99PKR 555
$1.96PKR 548
1.53%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.86PKR 241
$0.92PKR 256
-6.52%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96PKR 547
$1.98PKR 553
-1.01%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.73PKR 483
$2.07PKR 578
-16.43%
🚌 Getting Around
Abbottabad
Islamabad
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.26PKR 72.7
$0.17PKR 46.63
52.94%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$7.03PKR 1,962
$6.98PKR 1,948
0.72%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.87PKR 242
$0.92PKR 256
-5.43%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.44PKR 122
$0.41PKR 113
7.32%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.77PKR 774
$2.75PKR 768
0.73%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.89PKR 250
$0.98PKR 274
-9.18%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.0KPKR 5.9M
$21.3KPKR 5.9M
-1.39%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3KPKR 7.4M
$26.1KPKR 7.3M
0.82%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Abbottabad
Islamabad
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$43.79PKR 12.2K
$111PKR 31.1K
-60.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.95PKR 823
$5.52PKR 1,540
-46.56%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.35PKR 5,122
$18.67PKR 5,210
-1.71%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Abbottabad
Islamabad
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$17.88PKR 4,990
$22.27PKR 6,215
-19.71%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.44PKR 959
$5.85PKR 1,632
-41.20%
Cinema Ticket
$4.27PKR 1,193
$4.14PKR 1,155
3.14%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Abbottabad
Islamabad
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$34.83PKR 9,721
$60.9PKR 17.0K
-42.77%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$524PKR 146.3K
$2,782PKR 776.4K
-81.16%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Abbottabad
Islamabad
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$8.80PKR 2,455
$21.34PKR 5,955
-58.76%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$7.18PKR 2,005
$28.33PKR 7,909
-74.66%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$90.1PKR 25.1K
$90.1PKR 25.2K
-0.04%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$12.54PKR 3,501
$40.89PKR 11.4K
-69.33%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Abbottabad
Islamabad
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$35.46PKR 9,898
$200PKR 55.8K
-82.26%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$21.61PKR 6,031
$111PKR 31.1K
-80.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$164PKR 45.8K
$513PKR 143.2K
-67.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$42.10PKR 11.8K
$288PKR 80.5K
-85.40%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$1,526PKR 425.8K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$740PKR 206.6K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Abbottabad
Islamabad
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$230PKR 64.1K
$307PKR 85.8K
-25.27%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
20.2
20.2
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Abbottabad: April 26, 2026
Last update for Islamabad: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $35.46 in Abbottabad versus $200 in Islamabad. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 34% higher in Islamabad, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $12.00 in Abbottabad versus $14.00 in Islamabad. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $78.0 vs $99.0 – making Abbottabad 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
Abbottabad vs Islamabad: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Abbottabad or Islamabad?
Islamabad costs about 75% more than Abbottabad, with the gap driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear. 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 Abbottabad vs Islamabad?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $464 per month in Abbottabad and $814 in Islamabad. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Abbottabad or Islamabad?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Abbottabad, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How expensive is transport in Abbottabad vs Islamabad?
Public transport costs about 1% less in Abbottabad. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How do childcare costs compare in Abbottabad and Islamabad?
Kindergarten costs $34.83 per month in Abbottabad and $60.9 in Islamabad. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $800/month in Abbottabad or Islamabad?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $310 in Abbottabad and $543 in Islamabad, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Abbottabad – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Abbottabad compared to Islamabad?
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 Abbottabad or Islamabad?
If budget matters most, go with Abbottabad. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Islamabad makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Abbottabad vs other spots: cost of living compared