🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $413 in Gujrat versus $589 in Islamabad.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $641 in Gujrat versus $918 in Islamabad.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $868 in Gujrat versus $1,246 in Islamabad.
🌍Living in Gujrat costs roughly 30% less than in Islamabad, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Gujrat70% lower, Islamabad57% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Gujrat
Islamabad
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.83PKR 508
$3.57PKR 989
-48.74%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.75PKR 2,979
$22.74PKR 6,305
-52.73%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.27PKR 1,460
$5.47PKR 1,516
-3.66%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.45PKR 678
$3.55PKR 985
-30.99%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.19PKR 608
$6.71PKR 1,861
-67.36%
Cappuccino
$1.51PKR 419
$2.39PKR 663
-36.82%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.47PKR 131
$0.32PKR 90.0
46.87%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32PKR 89.9
$0.22PKR 60.8
45.45%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Gujrat
Islamabad
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.83PKR 231
$0.99PKR 275
-16.16%
White Bread(500g)
$0.65PKR 181
$0.79PKR 219
-17.72%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.27PKR 353
$1.28PKR 354
-0.78%
Eggs
$1.23PKR 341
$1.28PKR 356
-3.91%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.50PKR 2,358
$6.11PKR 1,694
39.12%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.52PKR 699
$3.06PKR 848
-17.65%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.04PKR 1,119
$5.12PKR 1,420
-21.09%
Apples(1kg)
$1.09PKR 301
$1.34PKR 371
-18.66%
Banana(1kg)
$0.67PKR 186
$0.84PKR 232
-20.24%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.58PKR 160
$1.02PKR 282
-43.14%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.51PKR 141
$0.49PKR 135
4.08%
Potato(1kg)
$0.31PKR 87.3
$0.29PKR 81.1
6.90%
Onion(1kg)
$0.52PKR 144
$0.33PKR 90.4
57.58%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.53PKR 148
$0.29PKR 80.8
82.76%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.43PKR 119
$0.38PKR 106
13.16%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$0.52PKR 145
$1.90PKR 528
-72.63%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.56PKR 156
$1.38PKR 383
-59.42%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.74PKR 206
$2.35PKR 651
-68.51%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.39PKR 663
$2.28PKR 632
4.82%
🚌 Getting Around
Gujrat
Islamabad
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.18PKR 49.86
$0.16PKR 44.29
12.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.71PKR 2,693
$21.23PKR 5,885
-54.26%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.75PKR 209
$1.27PKR 353
-40.94%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.10PKR 305
$0.69PKR 191
59.42%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.65PKR 736
$1.65PKR 458
60.61%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.84PKR 234
$1.32PKR 365
-36.36%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.1KPKR 6.4M
$53.9KPKR 15.0M
-57.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.3KPKR 6.5M
$25.1KPKR 7.0M
-7.20%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Gujrat
Islamabad
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$66.3PKR 18.4K
$102PKR 28.3K
-35.07%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.72PKR 1,586
$5.83PKR 1,617
-1.89%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.25PKR 3,951
$16.34PKR 4,531
-12.79%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Gujrat
Islamabad
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$14.37PKR 3,983
$29.09PKR 8,066
-50.60%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$8.93PKR 2,477
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.03PKR 1,948
$5.01PKR 1,389
40.32%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Gujrat
Islamabad
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$26.25PKR 7,277
$75.0PKR 20.8K
-65.02%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,047PKR 567.4K
$5,084PKR 1.4M
-59.75%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Gujrat
Islamabad
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$18.80PKR 5,211
$23.55PKR 6,528
-20.17%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.39PKR 7,316
$32.68PKR 9,060
-19.25%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$54.2PKR 15.0K
$83.6PKR 23.2K
-35.11%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$29.92PKR 8,296
$39.29PKR 10.9K
-23.85%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Gujrat
Islamabad
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$139PKR 38.6K
$277PKR 76.8K
-49.71%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$79.7PKR 22.1K
$144PKR 40.0K
-44.72%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$237PKR 65.7K
$577PKR 160.0K
-58.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$151PKR 41.9K
$266PKR 73.8K
-43.25%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$969PKR 268.5K
$1,635PKR 453.2K
-40.75%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$495PKR 137.4K
$829PKR 230.0K
-40.27%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Gujrat
Islamabad
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$244PKR 67.6K
$381PKR 105.8K
-36.09%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11
13.08
-15.90%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Gujrat: August 31, 2026
Last update for Islamabad: August 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $139 in Gujrat and $277 in Islamabad. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Islamabad pays 56% 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: $11.00 in Gujrat vs $23.00 in Islamabad for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $99.0 vs $103 per month, with Gujrat 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
Gujrat vs Islamabad: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Gujrat and in Islamabad?
Gujrat and Islamabad differ by about 43% in total monthly costs ($413 vs $589 including rent). Gujrat is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 56% lower in Islamabad. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Gujrat and in Islamabad?
Rent for a central apartment: $139 in Gujrat versus $277 in Islamabad. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Gujrat – a meal for two runs $11.00 versus $23.00 in Islamabad. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Gujrat or Islamabad?
All in, you'll spend $413 per month in Gujrat versus $589 in Islamabad – a 43% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How far does $1,200 go in Gujrat compared to Islamabad?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Gujrat gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
How does quality of life compare between Gujrat and 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.
Is Gujrat or Islamabad safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Gujrat 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.
Where should expats move: Gujrat or Islamabad?
Expats usually find Gujrat gentler on the wallet – expenses run 43% less than in Islamabad. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.