Cost of Living Comparison Between Gujrat and Islamabad Cost of Living Comparison Between Gujrat and Islamabad

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $348 in Gujrat versus $534 in Islamabad.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $547 in Gujrat versus $847 in Islamabad.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $746 in Gujrat versus $1,160 in Islamabad.

Living in Gujrat costs roughly 35% less than in Islamabad, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both cities sit below the global median: Gujrat 74% lower, Islamabad 60% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Gujrat
Islamabad
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.80 PKR 501
$2.85 PKR 791
-36.84%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.81 PKR 3,002
$14.26 PKR 3,960
-24.19%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.51 PKR 975
$5.44 PKR 1,511
-35.48%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.81 PKR 780
$1.72 PKR 477
63.37%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.85 PKR 1,346
$3.82 PKR 1,061
26.96%
Cappuccino
$1.45 PKR 403
$1.97 PKR 547
-26.40%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31 PKR 85.6
$0.40 PKR 110
-22.50%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.24 PKR 66.8
$0.24 PKR 67.0
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Gujrat
Islamabad
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.70 PKR 194
$0.96 PKR 268
-27.08%
White Bread (500g)
$0.60 PKR 168
$0.66 PKR 183
-9.09%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.32 PKR 366
$1.28 PKR 355
3.13%
Eggs
$1.14 PKR 317
$1.20 PKR 334
-5.00%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.13 PKR 1,979
$6.07 PKR 1,687
17.46%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.69 PKR 746
$3.37 PKR 937
-20.18%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$3.31 PKR 918
$4.35 PKR 1,209
-23.91%
Apples (1kg)
$1.03 PKR 287
$1.04 PKR 289
-0.96%
Banana (1kg)
$0.59 PKR 165
$0.84 PKR 234
-29.76%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.62 PKR 172
$0.91 PKR 253
-31.87%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.56 PKR 155
$0.56 PKR 156
-
Potato (1kg)
$0.35 PKR 96.8
$0.41 PKR 115
-14.63%
Onion (1kg)
$0.51 PKR 143
$0.57 PKR 158
-10.53%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.62 PKR 173
$0.31 PKR 85.4
100.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40 PKR 110
$0.41 PKR 113
-2.44%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$0.96 PKR 266
$2.00 PKR 555
-52.00%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.72 PKR 201
$0.93 PKR 258
-22.58%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95 PKR 543
$2.04 PKR 567
-4.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.85 PKR 513
$2.14 PKR 595
-13.55%
🚌 Getting Around
Gujrat
Islamabad
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.20 PKR 54.2
$0.17 PKR 46.51
17.65%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$7.03 PKR 1,953
$7.22 PKR 2,005
-2.63%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.07 PKR 298
$0.85 PKR 236
25.88%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.40 PKR 112
$0.43 PKR 120
-6.98%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.74 PKR 484
$2.79 PKR 775
-37.63%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.97 PKR 270
$0.98 PKR 271
-1.02%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.8K PKR 6.1M
$20.9K PKR 5.8M
4.44%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.6K PKR 6.0M
$25.9K PKR 7.2M
-16.73%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Gujrat
Islamabad
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$58.2 PKR 16.2K
$114 PKR 31.6K
-48.78%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.78 PKR 1,050
$5.41 PKR 1,501
-30.13%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.08 PKR 3,631
$18.69 PKR 5,190
-30.02%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Gujrat
Islamabad
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$12.54 PKR 3,482
$22.13 PKR 6,144
-43.33%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.02 PKR 1,672
$6.12 PKR 1,698
-1.63%
Cinema Ticket
$3.50 PKR 971
$4.14 PKR 1,150
-15.46%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Gujrat
Islamabad
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$27.97 PKR 7,767
$60.2 PKR 16.7K
-53.52%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,111 PKR 308.6K
$2,753 PKR 764.4K
-59.63%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Gujrat
Islamabad
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$16.16 PKR 4,488
$21.08 PKR 5,854
-23.34%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$22.28 PKR 6,188
$27.64 PKR 7,674
-19.39%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$61.1 PKR 17.0K
$87.8 PKR 24.4K
-30.47%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$25.91 PKR 7,193
$40.94 PKR 11.4K
-36.71%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Gujrat
Islamabad
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$74.8 PKR 20.8K
$199 PKR 55.3K
-62.42%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$51.1 PKR 14.2K
$110 PKR 30.5K
-53.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$169 PKR 46.8K
$505 PKR 140.1K
-66.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$106 PKR 29.4K
$299 PKR 83.0K
-64.54%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$850 PKR 236.2K
$1,513 PKR 420.1K
-43.78%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$455 PKR 126.2K
$647 PKR 179.8K
-29.79%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Gujrat
Islamabad
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$243 PKR 67.6K
$385 PKR 106.9K
-36.78%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
18
20.2
-10.89%

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

Last update for Gujrat: July 13, 2026

Last update for Islamabad: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $74.8 in Gujrat and $199 in Islamabad. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Islamabad pays 58% 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 $14.00 in Islamabad for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $91.0 vs $100 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 54% in total monthly costs ($348 vs $534 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 58% 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: $74.8 in Gujrat versus $199 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 $14.00 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 $348 per month in Gujrat versus $534 in Islamabad – a 54% 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 54% less than in Islamabad. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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