Cost of Living Comparison Between Faisalabad and Karachi Cost of Living Comparison Between Faisalabad and Karachi

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $350 per month in Faisalabad vs $477 in Karachi, rent included.

A couple spends around $540 per month in Faisalabad vs $727 in Karachi, rent included.

A family of three spends $730 per month in Faisalabad vs $978 in Karachi, rent included.

Faisalabad is about 27% cheaper than Karachi, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Faisalabad and Karachi are more affordable than the global median – Faisalabad 74% lower, Karachi 64% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$1.74 PKR 483

$2.14 PKR 595

-18.69%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$10.75 PKR 2,990

$12.44 PKR 3,461

-13.59%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.56 PKR 990

$4.06 PKR 1,129

-12.32%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.82 PKR 784

$1.99 PKR 553

41.71%

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.71 PKR 1,310

$5.22 PKR 1,451

-9.77%

Cappuccino

$1.50 PKR 418

$1.89 PKR 525

-20.63%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.33 PKR 92.2

$0.36 PKR 101

-8.33%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.22 PKR 61.2

$0.23 PKR 64.2

-4.35%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.76 PKR 213

$0.83 PKR 231

-8.43%

White Bread (500g)

$0.64 PKR 178

$0.58 PKR 161

10.34%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.27 PKR 353

$1.13 PKR 315

12.39%

Eggs

$1.14 PKR 317

$1.21 PKR 337

-5.79%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.10 PKR 1,974

$6.29 PKR 1,749

12.88%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.64 PKR 734

$3.19 PKR 887

-17.24%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$3.14 PKR 872

$4.91 PKR 1,365

-36.05%

Apples (1kg)

$1.02 PKR 284

$1.03 PKR 287

-0.97%

Banana (1kg)

$0.55 PKR 153

$0.58 PKR 162

-5.17%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.67 PKR 186

$0.93 PKR 258

-27.96%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.52 PKR 144

$0.56 PKR 156

-7.14%

Potato (1kg)

$0.37 PKR 104

$0.39 PKR 108

-5.13%

Onion (1kg)

$0.55 PKR 152

$0.51 PKR 141

7.84%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.64 PKR 177

$0.38 PKR 107

68.42%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.40 PKR 111

$0.43 PKR 120

-6.98%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$0.98 PKR 272

$1.28 PKR 356

-23.44%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.68 PKR 189

$1.26 PKR 351

-46.03%

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.44 PKR 956

$2.08 PKR 580

65.38%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.85 PKR 514

$2.08 PKR 580

-11.06%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.17 PKR 45.99

$0.34 PKR 94.4

-50.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$3.47 PKR 964

$6.33 PKR 1,762

-45.18%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.09 PKR 302

$0.74 PKR 205

47.30%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.37 PKR 102

$0.61 PKR 171

-39.34%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.72 PKR 480

$1.79 PKR 497

-3.91%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.96 PKR 268

$0.92 PKR 256

4.35%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$21.8K PKR 6.1M

$16.4K PKR 4.6M

32.88%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$21.3K PKR 5.9M

$24.5K PKR 6.8M

-12.80%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$57.7 PKR 16.1K

$132 PKR 36.8K

-56.36%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$3.75 PKR 1,042

$4.90 PKR 1,362

-23.47%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$12.96 PKR 3,604

$13.63 PKR 3,791

-4.92%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$14.85 PKR 4,130

$15.55 PKR 4,325

-4.50%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.76 PKR 2,994

$14.33 PKR 3,986

-24.91%

Cinema Ticket

$3.50 PKR 974

$4.33 PKR 1,203

-19.17%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$28.40 PKR 7,899

$58.0 PKR 16.1K

-51.00%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,119 PKR 311.3K

$1,402 PKR 389.9K

-20.15%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$15.94 PKR 4,435

$17.73 PKR 4,932

-10.10%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$22.28 PKR 6,198

$25.51 PKR 7,097

-12.66%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$60.8 PKR 16.9K

$64.2 PKR 17.8K

-5.30%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$25.64 PKR 7,134

$35.86 PKR 9,975

-28.50%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$70.6 PKR 19.6K

$122 PKR 33.8K

-41.99%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$47.75 PKR 13.3K

$73.9 PKR 20.6K

-35.41%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$150 PKR 41.7K

$323 PKR 89.8K

-53.53%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$108 PKR 29.9K

$182 PKR 50.6K

-40.86%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$537 PKR 149.4K

$985 PKR 273.9K

-45.47%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$256 PKR 71.3K

$457 PKR 127.2K

-43.98%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$194 PKR 53.9K

$181 PKR 50.2K

7.28%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

17.8

1.12%

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

Last update for Faisalabad: May 31, 2026

Last update for Karachi: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $70.6 in Faisalabad versus $122 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 7% higher in Faisalabad, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $11.00 in Faisalabad versus $12.00 in Karachi. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $91.0 vs $97.0 – making Faisalabad the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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

Faisalabad vs Karachi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Karachi costs about 36% more than Faisalabad, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $524 per month in Faisalabad and $715 in Karachi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Faisalabad, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 7% more in Karachi, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $11.00 in Faisalabad and $12.00 in Karachi. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $350 in Faisalabad and $477 in Karachi, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

Families tend to lean toward Faisalabad – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Faisalabad. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Karachi makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.