🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $338 in Bahawalpur versus $477 in Karachi.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $531 in Bahawalpur versus $727 in Karachi.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $724 in Bahawalpur versus $978 in Karachi.
🙂Living in Bahawalpur costs roughly 29% less than in Karachi, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Bahawalpur75% lower, Karachi64% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bahawalpur
Karachi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.79PKR 498
$2.14PKR 595
-16.36%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$8.97PKR 2,495
$12.44PKR 3,461
-27.89%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.45PKR 959
$4.06PKR 1,129
-15.02%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.44PKR 401
$1.99PKR 553
-27.64%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.67PKR 1,299
$5.22PKR 1,451
-10.54%
Cappuccino
$1.29PKR 359
$1.89PKR 525
-31.75%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31PKR 84.9
$0.36PKR 101
-13.89%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.24PKR 67.1
$0.23PKR 64.2
4.35%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bahawalpur
Karachi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.49PKR 135
$0.83PKR 231
-40.96%
White Bread(500g)
$0.57PKR 159
$0.58PKR 161
-1.72%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.30PKR 360
$1.13PKR 315
15.04%
Eggs
$1.03PKR 285
$1.21PKR 337
-14.88%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.35PKR 2,044
$6.29PKR 1,749
16.85%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.67PKR 743
$3.19PKR 887
-16.30%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$3.27PKR 909
$4.91PKR 1,365
-33.40%
Apples(1kg)
$0.98PKR 274
$1.03PKR 287
-4.85%
Banana(1kg)
$0.54PKR 149
$0.58PKR 162
-6.90%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.26PKR 72.7
$0.93PKR 258
-72.04%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.54PKR 149
$0.56PKR 156
-3.57%
Potato(1kg)
$0.37PKR 104
$0.39PKR 108
-5.13%
Onion(1kg)
$0.51PKR 141
$0.51PKR 141
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.63PKR 175
$0.38PKR 107
65.79%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.32PKR 89.5
$0.43PKR 120
-25.58%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$0.94PKR 263
$1.28PKR 356
-26.56%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.68PKR 189
$1.26PKR 351
-46.03%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.51PKR 976
$2.08PKR 580
68.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.87PKR 521
$2.08PKR 580
-10.10%
🚌 Getting Around
Bahawalpur
Karachi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.20PKR 55.8
$0.34PKR 94.4
-41.18%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$1.81PKR 503
$6.33PKR 1,762
-71.41%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.09PKR 303
$0.74PKR 205
47.30%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.18PKR 49.67
$0.61PKR 171
-70.49%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.03PKR 287
$1.79PKR 497
-42.46%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.98PKR 272
$0.92PKR 256
6.52%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.4KPKR 6.0M
$16.4KPKR 4.6M
30.57%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.2KPKR 5.9M
$24.5KPKR 6.8M
-13.43%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bahawalpur
Karachi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$57.7PKR 16.0K
$132PKR 36.8K
-56.40%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.87PKR 1,077
$4.90PKR 1,362
-21.02%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$12.79PKR 3,559
$13.63PKR 3,791
-6.16%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bahawalpur
Karachi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$12.33PKR 3,430
$15.55PKR 4,325
-20.71%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.85PKR 2,183
$14.33PKR 3,986
-45.22%
Cinema Ticket
$2.11PKR 586
$4.33PKR 1,203
-51.27%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bahawalpur
Karachi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$26.12PKR 7,266
$58.0PKR 16.1K
-54.93%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$660PKR 183.6K
$1,402PKR 389.9K
-52.91%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bahawalpur
Karachi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$15.94PKR 4,433
$17.73PKR 4,932
-10.10%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$22.13PKR 6,157
$25.51PKR 7,097
-13.25%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$60.7PKR 16.9K
$64.2PKR 17.8K
-5.36%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$26.44PKR 7,357
$35.86PKR 9,976
-26.27%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bahawalpur
Karachi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$106PKR 29.6K
$122PKR 33.8K
-12.60%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$54.0PKR 15.0K
$73.9PKR 20.6K
-26.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$225PKR 62.7K
$323PKR 89.8K
-30.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$135PKR 37.4K
$182PKR 50.6K
-26.00%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,560PKR 990.3K
$985PKR 273.9K
261.55%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$760PKR 211.5K
$457PKR 127.3K
66.19%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bahawalpur
Karachi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$137PKR 38.1K
$181PKR 50.2K
-24.11%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
18
17.8
1.12%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bahawalpur: June 1, 2026
Last update for Karachi: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $106 in Bahawalpur and $122 in Karachi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Karachi pays 32% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $9.00 in Bahawalpur vs $12.00 in Karachi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $85.0 vs $97.0 per month, with Bahawalpur 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
Bahawalpur vs Karachi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Bahawalpur or Karachi?
Bahawalpur wins on cost – living expenses run 41% lower than in Karachi. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Bahawalpur the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Bahawalpur or Karachi?
On paper, Karachi earns 32% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Bahawalpur vs Karachi?
Rent for a central apartment: $106 in Bahawalpur versus $122 in Karachi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How much does it cost to live in Bahawalpur compared to Karachi?
All in, you'll spend $338 per month in Bahawalpur versus $477 in Karachi – a 41% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How expensive is transport in Bahawalpur vs Karachi?
A monthly transit pass in Bahawalpur runs roughly 250% less than in Karachi. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Can you live on $800/month in Bahawalpur or Karachi?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Bahawalpur gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Bahawalpur or Karachi?
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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Bahawalpur gentler on the wallet – expenses run 41% less than in Karachi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Bahawalpur vs other spots: cost of living compared