😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $503 in Bahawalnagar versus $495 in Rawalpindi.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $741 in Bahawalnagar versus $781 in Rawalpindi.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $979 in Bahawalnagar versus $1,067 in Rawalpindi.
🌍Living in Bahawalnagar is roughly 2% more expensive than in Rawalpindi, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Bahawalnagar63% lower, Rawalpindi64% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bahawalnagar
Rawalpindi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.54PKR 704
$2.05PKR 569
23.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.30PKR 3,961
$16.07PKR 4,451
-11.01%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.66PKR 1,567
$5.84PKR 1,617
-3.08%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.69PKR 1,023
$1.76PKR 487
109.66%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.27PKR 1,461
$3.50PKR 971
50.57%
Cappuccino
$2.57PKR 711
$1.98PKR 549
29.80%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.39PKR 108
$0.44PKR 121
-11.36%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26PKR 72.1
$0.25PKR 69.4
4.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bahawalnagar
Rawalpindi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.88PKR 245
$0.91PKR 251
-3.30%
White Bread(500g)
$0.68PKR 189
$0.54PKR 151
25.93%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.21PKR 334
$1.23PKR 340
-1.63%
Eggs
$1.17PKR 323
$1.11PKR 308
5.41%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.40PKR 1,772
$6.32PKR 1,752
1.27%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.48PKR 686
$3.57PKR 990
-30.53%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.92PKR 1,362
$5.05PKR 1,397
-2.57%
Apples(1kg)
$1.22PKR 339
$1.20PKR 331
1.67%
Banana(1kg)
$0.64PKR 178
$0.84PKR 232
-23.81%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.92PKR 254
$1.22PKR 338
-24.59%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.62PKR 171
$0.53PKR 146
16.98%
Potato(1kg)
$0.28PKR 77.1
$0.36PKR 99.4
-22.22%
Onion(1kg)
$0.33PKR 90.1
$0.45PKR 124
-26.67%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.47PKR 129
$0.31PKR 84.9
51.61%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.33PKR 92.5
$0.43PKR 118
-23.26%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.09PKR 303
$16.09PKR 4,457
-93.23%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.64PKR 178
$1.14PKR 316
-43.86%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66PKR 461
$2.37PKR 657
-29.96%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.12PKR 588
$1.93PKR 535
9.84%
🚌 Getting Around
Bahawalnagar
Rawalpindi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.19PKR 51.8
$0.18PKR 50.4
5.56%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.47PKR 2,900
$9.99PKR 2,767
4.80%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.93PKR 258
$0.93PKR 258
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.69PKR 191
$0.35PKR 96.1
97.14%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.81PKR 503
$3.11PKR 861
-41.80%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.33PKR 369
$1.13PKR 313
17.70%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KPKR 5.0M
$17.9KPKR 5.0M
1.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.6KPKR 7.4M
$24.1KPKR 6.7M
10.20%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bahawalnagar
Rawalpindi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$128PKR 35.6K
$113PKR 31.2K
13.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.13PKR 1,422
$5.55PKR 1,537
-7.57%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.41PKR 4,546
$18.88PKR 5,229
-13.08%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bahawalnagar
Rawalpindi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$16.30PKR 4,514
$12.11PKR 3,353
34.60%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.81PKR 1,886
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.34PKR 1,203
$4.26PKR 1,179
1.88%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bahawalnagar
Rawalpindi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$46.41PKR 12.9K
$48.70PKR 13.5K
-4.70%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,005PKR 555.5K
$833PKR 230.7K
140.74%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bahawalnagar
Rawalpindi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$17.76PKR 4,918
$20.41PKR 5,652
-12.98%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.19PKR 7,531
$28.85PKR 7,992
-5.75%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$74.4PKR 20.6K
$93.7PKR 25.9K
-20.60%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$31.60PKR 8,752
$36.19PKR 10.0K
-12.68%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bahawalnagar
Rawalpindi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$121PKR 33.4K
$201PKR 55.6K
-39.93%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$76.2PKR 21.1K
$83.0PKR 23.0K
-8.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$267PKR 73.9K
$428PKR 118.6K
-37.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$149PKR 41.2K
$226PKR 62.6K
-34.20%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$966PKR 267.7K
$1,170PKR 324.0K
-17.39%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$463PKR 128.3K
$507PKR 140.5K
-8.70%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bahawalnagar
Rawalpindi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$173PKR 48.0K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
14.28
22.81
-37.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bahawalnagar: September 13, 2026
Last update for Rawalpindi: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $121 in Bahawalnagar and $201 in Rawalpindi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $14.00 in Bahawalnagar vs $16.00 in Rawalpindi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $96.0 vs $103 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, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 2% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $754 in Bahawalnagar and $742 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: $121 in Bahawalnagar versus $201 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 5% 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 $46.41 in Bahawalnagar versus $48.70 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 in 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 2% 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