😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $442 in Bahawalnagar versus $423 in Rawalpindi.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $656 in Bahawalnagar versus $666 in Rawalpindi.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $869 in Bahawalnagar versus $909 in Rawalpindi.
😐Living in Bahawalnagar is roughly 5% more expensive than Rawalpindi, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Bahawalnagar67% lower, Rawalpindi68% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bahawalnagar
Rawalpindi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.06PKR 574
$1.79PKR 497
15.08%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.37PKR 3,994
$14.12PKR 3,926
1.77%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.30PKR 1,195
$5.38PKR 1,495
-20.07%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.76PKR 766
$1.57PKR 435
75.80%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.60PKR 1,002
$3.51PKR 975
2.56%
Cappuccino
$2.35PKR 653
$1.72PKR 477
36.63%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33PKR 90.7
$0.34PKR 94.7
-2.94%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21PKR 58.2
$0.23PKR 64.0
-8.70%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bahawalnagar
Rawalpindi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.86PKR 240
$0.79PKR 220
8.86%
White Bread(500g)
$0.61PKR 169
$0.56PKR 156
8.93%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.21PKR 336
$1.24PKR 346
-2.42%
Eggs
$1.17PKR 324
$1.17PKR 326
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.86PKR 1,629
$5.95PKR 1,654
-1.51%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.37PKR 659
$3.38PKR 939
-29.88%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$1.29PKR 359
$4.44PKR 1,234
-70.95%
Apples(1kg)
$0.91PKR 254
$0.94PKR 261
-3.19%
Banana(1kg)
$0.61PKR 169
$0.64PKR 179
-4.69%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.58PKR 161
$0.86PKR 240
-32.56%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.48PKR 133
$0.51PKR 141
-5.88%
Potato(1kg)
$0.35PKR 98.1
$0.36PKR 101
-2.78%
Onion(1kg)
$0.51PKR 143
$0.49PKR 135
4.08%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.45PKR 124
$0.24PKR 66.2
87.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.35PKR 98.0
$0.36PKR 101
-2.78%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$0.88PKR 246
$16.46PKR 4,576
-94.65%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.55PKR 153
$1.04PKR 289
-47.12%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.85PKR 237
$2.28PKR 635
-62.72%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.00PKR 555
$1.99PKR 553
0.50%
🚌 Getting Around
Bahawalnagar
Rawalpindi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.18PKR 49.63
$0.17PKR 47.86
5.88%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$7.26PKR 2,019
$9.93PKR 2,762
-26.89%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.72PKR 201
$0.86PKR 239
-16.28%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.49PKR 138
$0.36PKR 99.0
36.11%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.72PKR 478
$2.95PKR 821
-41.69%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.90PKR 249
$0.98PKR 271
-8.16%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9KPKR 5.0M
$17.6KPKR 4.9M
1.62%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.4KPKR 6.5M
$23.1KPKR 6.4M
1.32%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bahawalnagar
Rawalpindi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$138PKR 38.5K
$100PKR 27.9K
37.83%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.34PKR 1,484
$3.97PKR 1,104
34.51%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.99PKR 4,724
$16.55PKR 4,601
2.66%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bahawalnagar
Rawalpindi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$12.43PKR 3,456
$10.13PKR 2,816
22.70%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.94PKR 1,652
$7.47PKR 2,076
-20.48%
Cinema Ticket
$4.17PKR 1,158
$3.63PKR 1,010
14.88%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bahawalnagar
Rawalpindi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$34.36PKR 9,553
$39.82PKR 11.1K
-13.71%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,243PKR 345.5K
$969PKR 269.3K
28.29%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bahawalnagar
Rawalpindi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$15.04PKR 4,181
$11.62PKR 3,229
29.43%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$23.21PKR 6,452
$19.00PKR 5,282
22.16%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$73.1PKR 20.3K
$89.2PKR 24.8K
-18.08%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$30.54PKR 8,492
$28.78PKR 8,001
6.12%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bahawalnagar
Rawalpindi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$73.9PKR 20.5K
$133PKR 36.9K
-44.33%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$52.4PKR 14.6K
$65.3PKR 18.2K
-19.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$164PKR 45.6K
$327PKR 91.0K
-49.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$105PKR 29.1K
$173PKR 48.0K
-39.30%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$950PKR 264.3K
$1,142PKR 317.4K
-16.73%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$507PKR 140.9K
$505PKR 140.3K
0.46%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bahawalnagar
Rawalpindi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$172PKR 47.7K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
19.88
20.17
-1.44%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bahawalnagar: June 13, 2026
Last update for Rawalpindi: June 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $73.9 in Bahawalnagar and $133 in Rawalpindi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $14.00 in Bahawalnagar vs $14.00 in Rawalpindi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $79.0 vs $93.0 per month, with Bahawalnagar cheaper across the board.
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
Bahawalnagar vs Rawalpindi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rawalpindi cheaper than Bahawalnagar?
Rawalpindi is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment. The 5% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $663 in Bahawalnagar and $634 in Rawalpindi to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Bahawalnagar and Rawalpindi?
Rent for a central apartment: $73.9 in Bahawalnagar versus $133 in Rawalpindi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Rawalpindi runs roughly 37% less than in Bahawalnagar. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $34.36 in Bahawalnagar versus $39.82 in Rawalpindi. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is $1,200 enough for either Bahawalnagar or Rawalpindi?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Rawalpindi gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is it better to live in Bahawalnagar or Rawalpindi?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is safer, Bahawalnagar or Rawalpindi?
Safety-wise, Bahawalnagar and Rawalpindi are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Rawalpindi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 5% less than in Bahawalnagar. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Bahawalnagar vs other spots: cost of living compared