😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $716 in Butuan versus $347 in Faisalabad.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,101 in Butuan versus $541 in Faisalabad.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,486 in Butuan versus $735 in Faisalabad.
😐Living in Butuan is roughly 106% more expensive than Faisalabad, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Butuan47% lower, Faisalabad74% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Butuan
Faisalabad
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.31₱264
$1.73PKR 482
149.13%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$15.88₱971
$10.79PKR 3,012
47.17%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.46₱150
$3.61PKR 1,008
-31.86%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.89PKR 807
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.63PKR 1,292
-
Cappuccino
$1.68₱103
$1.45PKR 405
15.86%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36₱21.81
$0.33PKR 93.2
9.09%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29₱17.63
$0.22PKR 61.4
31.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.17₱71.7
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.73₱106
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Butuan
Faisalabad
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.73₱106
$0.75PKR 208
130.67%
White Bread(500g)
$1.08₱66.0
$0.60PKR 166
80.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.99₱60.7
$1.30PKR 363
-23.85%
Eggs
$2.02₱123
$1.14PKR 319
77.19%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.81₱355
$7.23PKR 2,017
-19.64%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.64₱223
$2.56PKR 715
42.19%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.13₱436
$3.29PKR 918
116.72%
Apples(1kg)
$1.39₱85.3
$1.03PKR 288
34.95%
Banana(1kg)
$0.55₱33.69
$0.59PKR 164
-6.78%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.93₱57.0
$0.62PKR 174
50.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.35₱82.5
$0.55PKR 154
145.45%
Potato(1kg)
$2.21₱135
$0.34PKR 96.0
550.00%
Onion(1kg)
$3.15₱193
$0.51PKR 142
517.65%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.33₱81.1
$0.60PKR 167
121.67%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52₱31.97
$0.40PKR 111
30.00%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
-
$1.39PKR 388
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.70PKR 195
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.56PKR 992
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.52₱154
$1.90PKR 531
32.63%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.34₱510
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.75₱46.08
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.92₱56.5
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Butuan
Faisalabad
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.28₱17.30
$0.20PKR 55.4
40.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$3.63PKR 1,013
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.70₱42.98
$1.09PKR 304
-35.78%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.23₱14.01
$0.40PKR 111
-42.50%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.08₱127
$1.81PKR 504
14.92%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14₱69.7
$0.94PKR 262
21.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.2K₱1.4M
$22.4KPKR 6.3M
-1.14%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.5K₱1.3M
$21.6KPKR 6.0M
-5.01%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Butuan
Faisalabad
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$106₱6,506
$59.3PKR 16.6K
79.23%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$34.42₱2,106
$3.69PKR 1,030
832.79%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.26₱2,218
$13.03PKR 3,637
178.28%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Butuan
Faisalabad
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$34.19₱2,092
$14.91PKR 4,163
129.31%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.46₱273
$10.79PKR 3,011
-58.67%
Cinema Ticket
$4.38₱268
$3.46PKR 965
26.59%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Butuan
Faisalabad
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$71.5₱4,373
$28.12PKR 7,849
154.16%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,769₱108.2K
$1,141PKR 318.6K
55.00%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Butuan
Faisalabad
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$44.89₱2,746
$16.39PKR 4,575
173.89%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$10.06₱616
$22.20PKR 6,196
-54.68%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$71.9₱4,397
$60.7PKR 16.9K
18.38%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.5₱4,250
$26.08PKR 7,281
166.37%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Butuan
Faisalabad
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$265₱16.2K
$70.5PKR 19.7K
275.74%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$179₱11.0K
$48.02PKR 13.4K
273.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$586₱35.8K
$150PKR 41.9K
290.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$389₱23.8K
$108PKR 30.2K
259.61%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,041₱124.9K
$531PKR 148.2K
284.28%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$576PKR 160.8K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Butuan
Faisalabad
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$106₱6,460
$199PKR 55.5K
-46.89%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.56
18
-46.89%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Butuan: April 26, 2026
Last update for Faisalabad: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $265 in Butuan and $70.5 in Faisalabad. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Faisalabad pays 88% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $16.00 in Butuan vs $11.00 in Faisalabad for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $165 vs $91.0 per month, with Faisalabad 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
Butuan vs Faisalabad: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Butuan or Faisalabad?
Faisalabad wins on cost – living expenses run 106% lower than in Butuan. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Faisalabad the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Butuan or Faisalabad?
On paper, Faisalabad earns 88% 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 Butuan vs Faisalabad?
Rent for a central apartment: $265 in Butuan versus $70.5 in Faisalabad. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Butuan and Faisalabad?
Childcare runs $71.5 in Butuan versus $28.12 in Faisalabad. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do dining costs compare in Butuan vs Faisalabad?
Dining out is cheaper in Faisalabad – a meal for two runs $11.00 versus $16.00 in Butuan. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $800/month in Butuan or Faisalabad?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Faisalabad 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: Butuan or Faisalabad?
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 Butuan compared to Faisalabad?
Safety-wise, Butuan and Faisalabad 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 Faisalabad gentler on the wallet – expenses run 106% less than in Butuan. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.