Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Dipolog and Karachi

For one person, living is cheaper in Karachi: $495 a month against $602 in Dipolog, rent and utilities included – about $1,300 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Dipolog, Philippines
Karachi, Pakistan
Dipolog
🇵🇭 Philippines
$602
/mo nomad
Karachi
🇵🇰 Pakistan
$495
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Dipolog and in Karachi

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Dipolog and in Karachi actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $602 per month in Dipolog vs $495 in Karachi, rent included.

  • Dipolog $602
  • Karachi $495

A couple spends around $839 per month in Dipolog vs $770 in Karachi, rent included.

  • Dipolog $839
  • Karachi $770

A family of three spends $1,076 per month in Dipolog vs $1,046 in Karachi, rent included.

  • Dipolog $1,076
  • Karachi $1,046

Dipolog costs about 22% more than Karachi, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Dipolog and Karachi are more affordable than the global median – Dipolog 56% lower, Karachi 64% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Dipolog
Karachi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.36 ₱86.9
$2.21 PKR 610
-38.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.30 ₱1,233
$12.87 PKR 3,562
49.96%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$2.72 ₱174
$5.27 PKR 1,459
-48.39%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.16 PKR 598
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$7.36 PKR 2,036
-
Cappuccino
$2.02 ₱129
$2.16 PKR 598
-6.48%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64 ₱40.78
$0.38 PKR 106
68.42%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29 ₱18.75
$0.25 PKR 69.3
16.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.04 ₱66.6
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72 ₱110
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Dipolog
Karachi
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.60 ₱102
$0.90 PKR 248
77.78%
White Bread (500g)
$0.77 ₱48.93
$0.52 PKR 143
48.08%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.82 ₱52.5
$1.20 PKR 331
-31.67%
Eggs
$1.87 ₱119
$1.25 PKR 346
49.60%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.77 ₱369
$5.82 PKR 1,611
-0.86%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.12 ₱263
$3.11 PKR 860
32.48%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$5.71 ₱365
$6.53 PKR 1,807
-12.56%
Apples (1kg)
$1.60 ₱102
$1.28 PKR 354
25.00%
Banana (1kg)
$1.07 ₱68.7
$0.54 PKR 149
98.15%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.91 ₱186
$1.02 PKR 283
185.29%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.43 ₱91.5
$0.56 PKR 155
155.36%
Potato (1kg)
$1.84 ₱118
$0.34 PKR 94.9
441.18%
Onion (1kg)
$2.68 ₱171
$0.31 PKR 87.0
764.52%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.47 ₱93.6
$0.41 PKR 113
258.54%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.61 ₱39.25
$0.43 PKR 120
41.86%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
-
$1.28 PKR 355
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.33 PKR 368
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.45 PKR 678
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.04 ₱194
$1.78 PKR 492
70.79%
Wine (Bottle)
$3.93 ₱251
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.13 ₱71.9
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.26 ₱80.4
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Dipolog
Karachi
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.26 ₱16.72
$0.28 PKR 77.2
-7.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$10.99 ₱702
$11.70 PKR 3,237
-6.07%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.81 ₱51.5
$0.92 PKR 254
-11.96%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.32 ₱20.72
$0.73 PKR 203
-56.16%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.32 ₱148
$2.22 PKR 615
4.50%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.89 ₱57.0
$1.33 PKR 369
-33.08%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2K ₱1.4M
$18.3K PKR 5.1M
16.07%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.0K ₱1.2M
$26.4K PKR 7.3M
-28.01%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Dipolog
Karachi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$64.3 ₱4,106
$112 PKR 31.0K
-42.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.73 ₱494
$5.99 PKR 1,656
29.05%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.98 ₱1,532
$13.18 PKR 3,648
81.94%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Dipolog
Karachi
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$32.70 ₱2,090
$24.67 PKR 6,826
32.55%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.65 ₱297
$18.29 PKR 5,061
-74.58%
Cinema Ticket
$4.70 ₱300
$4.34 PKR 1,201
8.29%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Dipolog
Karachi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$32.00 ₱2,045
$67.2 PKR 18.6K
-52.38%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,107 ₱518.0K
$1,915 PKR 529.9K
323.34%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Dipolog
Karachi
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$33.03 ₱2,111
$17.61 PKR 4,873
87.56%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.08 ₱1,219
$22.03 PKR 6,097
-13.39%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$55.9 ₱3,574
$68.3 PKR 18.9K
-18.14%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$23.76 ₱1,518
$40.66 PKR 11.3K
-41.56%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Dipolog
Karachi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$156 ₱9,955
$136 PKR 37.6K
14.53%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$172 ₱11.0K
$82.2 PKR 22.7K
109.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$513 ₱32.7K
$392 PKR 108.5K
30.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$134 ₱8,589
$207 PKR 57.2K
-34.98%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,401 ₱153.4K
$1,046 PKR 289.5K
129.51%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,119 ₱71.5K
$482 PKR 133.2K
132.39%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Dipolog
Karachi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$234 ₱15.0K
$184 PKR 51.0K
26.96%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.33
13.21
-44.51%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Dipolog: October 25, 2026

Last update for Karachi: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Dipolog
$172
Karachi
$82 52.2% $90
Groceries & Markets
Dipolog
$163
Karachi
$102 37.6% $61
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Dipolog
$96
Karachi
$131 36.9% $35
Clothing & Footwear
Dipolog
$59
Karachi
$67 12.8% $7.6
Eating Out
Dipolog
$56
Karachi
$62 11.3% $6.3
Sport & Entertainment
Dipolog
$42
Karachi
$33 20.8% $8.8
Getting Around
Dipolog
$14
Karachi
$17 20.2% $2.9

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $156 in Dipolog versus $136 in Karachi. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 27% higher in Dipolog. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $19 in Dipolog versus $13 in Karachi. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $163 vs $102 – making Karachi the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇵🇭 Dipolog
🇵🇰 Karachi
🕒 Local time
20:56 8:56 PM
17:56 5:56 PM
3 h behind Dipolog
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
130,759
14,910,352
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

PKR, USD, EUR to PHP – Philippine Peso Converter

Philippine Peso exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 63.89 PHP (100 PHP = 1.57 USD). 1 EUR = 71.11 PHP (100 PHP = 1.41 EUR).

Pakistani Rupee exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 277 PKR (1,000 PKR = 3.61 USD). 1 EUR = 308 PKR (1,000 PKR = 3.25 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Dipolog Karachi 6,220 km ≈ 8 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Dipolog
  • Karachi

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Dipolog vs Karachi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Dipolog or Karachi?
Dipolog costs about 22% more than Karachi, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Dipolog and in Karachi?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $904 per month in Dipolog and $742 in Karachi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Dipolog or Karachi?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Karachi, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $136 there versus $156 in Dipolog.
How do childcare costs compare in Dipolog and in Karachi?
Kindergarten costs $32 per month in Dipolog and $67 in Karachi. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Dipolog or in Karachi?
Groceries cost about 60% more in Dipolog, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,200/month in Dipolog or in Karachi?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $602 in Dipolog and $495 in Karachi, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Dipolog or Karachi?
It depends on your priorities. Karachi has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $495 in Karachi to $602 in Dipolog. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Should I move to Dipolog or to Karachi?
If budget matters most, go with Karachi. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Dipolog makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

Dipolog vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?