🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $442 in Burewala versus $589 in Islamabad.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $657 in Burewala versus $918 in Islamabad.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $873 in Burewala versus $1,246 in Islamabad.
🌍Living in Burewala costs roughly 25% less than in Islamabad, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Burewala68% lower, Islamabad57% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Burewala
Islamabad
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.04PKR 565
$3.57PKR 990
-42.86%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.63PKR 2,948
$22.74PKR 6,309
-53.25%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.39PKR 1,496
$5.47PKR 1,517
-1.46%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.43PKR 675
$3.55PKR 986
-31.55%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.58PKR 1,269
$6.71PKR 1,862
-31.74%
Cappuccino
$1.47PKR 409
$2.39PKR 663
-38.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36PKR 99.0
$0.32PKR 90.0
12.50%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.24PKR 66.3
$0.22PKR 60.8
9.09%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Burewala
Islamabad
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.82PKR 227
$0.99PKR 275
-17.17%
White Bread(500g)
$0.59PKR 165
$0.79PKR 220
-25.32%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.16PKR 321
$1.28PKR 354
-9.38%
Eggs
$1.24PKR 345
$1.28PKR 356
-3.13%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.80PKR 1,610
$6.11PKR 1,695
-5.07%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.62PKR 727
$3.06PKR 849
-14.38%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.94PKR 1,370
$5.12PKR 1,421
-3.52%
Apples(1kg)
$1.13PKR 314
$1.34PKR 371
-15.67%
Banana(1kg)
$0.56PKR 154
$0.84PKR 232
-33.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.74PKR 205
$1.02PKR 282
-27.45%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.49PKR 135
$0.49PKR 135
-
Potato(1kg)
$0.27PKR 74.8
$0.29PKR 81.2
-6.90%
Onion(1kg)
$0.33PKR 90.9
$0.33PKR 90.4
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.27PKR 75.9
$0.29PKR 80.8
-6.90%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.37PKR 102
$0.38PKR 106
-2.63%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.87PKR 518
$1.90PKR 528
-1.58%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.11PKR 307
$1.38PKR 383
-19.57%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.38PKR 659
$2.35PKR 652
1.28%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.07PKR 576
$2.28PKR 632
-9.21%
🚌 Getting Around
Burewala
Islamabad
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.19PKR 52.7
$0.16PKR 44.31
18.75%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.99PKR 2,771
$21.23PKR 5,889
-52.94%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.95PKR 263
$1.27PKR 353
-25.20%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.72PKR 200
$0.69PKR 191
4.35%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.57PKR 435
$1.65PKR 459
-4.85%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.05PKR 292
$1.32PKR 365
-20.45%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.8KPKR 6.9M
$53.9KPKR 15.0M
-53.98%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.6KPKR 7.7M
$25.1KPKR 7.0M
10.03%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Burewala
Islamabad
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$117PKR 32.5K
$102PKR 28.3K
14.89%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.36PKR 1,487
$5.83PKR 1,618
-8.06%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$12.54PKR 3,478
$16.34PKR 4,534
-23.26%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Burewala
Islamabad
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$15.87PKR 4,404
$29.09PKR 8,071
-45.45%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$8.93PKR 2,478
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.13PKR 1,145
$5.01PKR 1,390
-17.56%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Burewala
Islamabad
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$36.96PKR 10.3K
$75.0PKR 20.8K
-50.75%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,145PKR 317.7K
$5,084PKR 1.4M
-77.48%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Burewala
Islamabad
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$14.56PKR 4,039
$23.55PKR 6,532
-38.17%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.38PKR 5,377
$32.68PKR 9,066
-40.70%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$70.0PKR 19.4K
$83.6PKR 23.2K
-16.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$28.71PKR 7,965
$39.29PKR 10.9K
-26.93%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Burewala
Islamabad
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$124PKR 34.4K
$277PKR 76.8K
-55.22%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$80.7PKR 22.4K
$144PKR 40.0K
-44.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$255PKR 70.7K
$577PKR 160.1K
-55.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$167PKR 46.4K
$266PKR 73.9K
-37.21%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$793PKR 220.0K
$1,635PKR 453.5K
-51.49%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$560PKR 155.4K
$829PKR 230.1K
-32.45%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Burewala
Islamabad
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$381PKR 105.8K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.88
13.08
-1.53%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Burewala: August 29, 2026
Last update for Islamabad: August 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $124 in Burewala and $277 in Islamabad. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $11.00 in Burewala vs $23.00 in Islamabad for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $90.0 vs $103 per month, with Burewala 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
Burewala vs Islamabad: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Burewala or Islamabad?
Burewala wins on cost – living expenses run 33% lower than in Islamabad. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Burewala the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Burewala and in Islamabad?
You'd need roughly $663 in Burewala and $884 in Islamabad 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.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Burewala compared to Islamabad?
Rent for a central apartment: $124 in Burewala versus $277 in Islamabad. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Burewala compared to Islamabad?
A monthly transit pass in Burewala runs roughly 113% less than in Islamabad. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How do childcare costs compare in Burewala and in Islamabad?
Childcare runs $36.96 in Burewala versus $75.0 in Islamabad. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Can you live on $800/month in Burewala or in Islamabad?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Burewala 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: Burewala or Islamabad?
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.
How safe is Burewala compared to Islamabad?
Safety-wise, Burewala and Islamabad 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Burewala gentler on the wallet – expenses run 33% less than in Islamabad. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.