🙂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: Gujrat74% lower, Islamabad60% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Gujrat
Islamabad
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.80PKR 501
$2.85PKR 791
-36.84%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.81PKR 3,002
$14.26PKR 3,960
-24.19%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.51PKR 975
$5.44PKR 1,511
-35.48%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.81PKR 780
$1.72PKR 477
63.37%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.85PKR 1,346
$3.82PKR 1,061
26.96%
Cappuccino
$1.45PKR 403
$1.97PKR 547
-26.40%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31PKR 85.6
$0.40PKR 110
-22.50%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.24PKR 66.8
$0.24PKR 67.0
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Gujrat
Islamabad
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.70PKR 194
$0.96PKR 268
-27.08%
White Bread(500g)
$0.60PKR 168
$0.66PKR 183
-9.09%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.32PKR 366
$1.28PKR 355
3.13%
Eggs
$1.14PKR 317
$1.20PKR 334
-5.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.13PKR 1,979
$6.07PKR 1,687
17.46%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.69PKR 746
$3.37PKR 937
-20.18%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$3.31PKR 918
$4.35PKR 1,209
-23.91%
Apples(1kg)
$1.03PKR 287
$1.04PKR 289
-0.96%
Banana(1kg)
$0.59PKR 165
$0.84PKR 234
-29.76%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.62PKR 172
$0.91PKR 253
-31.87%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.56PKR 155
$0.56PKR 156
-
Potato(1kg)
$0.35PKR 96.8
$0.41PKR 115
-14.63%
Onion(1kg)
$0.51PKR 143
$0.57PKR 158
-10.53%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.62PKR 173
$0.31PKR 85.4
100.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40PKR 110
$0.41PKR 113
-2.44%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$0.96PKR 266
$2.00PKR 555
-52.00%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.72PKR 201
$0.93PKR 258
-22.58%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95PKR 543
$2.04PKR 567
-4.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.85PKR 513
$2.14PKR 595
-13.55%
🚌 Getting Around
Gujrat
Islamabad
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.20PKR 54.2
$0.17PKR 46.51
17.65%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$7.03PKR 1,953
$7.22PKR 2,005
-2.63%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.07PKR 298
$0.85PKR 236
25.88%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.40PKR 112
$0.43PKR 120
-6.98%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.74PKR 484
$2.79PKR 775
-37.63%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.97PKR 270
$0.98PKR 271
-1.02%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.8KPKR 6.1M
$20.9KPKR 5.8M
4.44%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.6KPKR 6.0M
$25.9KPKR 7.2M
-16.73%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Gujrat
Islamabad
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$58.2PKR 16.2K
$114PKR 31.6K
-48.78%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.78PKR 1,050
$5.41PKR 1,501
-30.13%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.08PKR 3,631
$18.69PKR 5,190
-30.02%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Gujrat
Islamabad
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$12.54PKR 3,482
$22.13PKR 6,144
-43.33%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.02PKR 1,672
$6.12PKR 1,698
-1.63%
Cinema Ticket
$3.50PKR 971
$4.14PKR 1,150
-15.46%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Gujrat
Islamabad
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$27.97PKR 7,767
$60.2PKR 16.7K
-53.52%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,111PKR 308.6K
$2,753PKR 764.4K
-59.63%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Gujrat
Islamabad
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$16.16PKR 4,488
$21.08PKR 5,854
-23.34%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$22.28PKR 6,188
$27.64PKR 7,674
-19.39%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$61.1PKR 17.0K
$87.8PKR 24.4K
-30.47%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$25.91PKR 7,193
$40.94PKR 11.4K
-36.71%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Gujrat
Islamabad
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$74.8PKR 20.8K
$199PKR 55.3K
-62.42%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$51.1PKR 14.2K
$110PKR 30.5K
-53.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$169PKR 46.8K
$505PKR 140.1K
-66.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$106PKR 29.4K
$299PKR 83.0K
-64.54%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$850PKR 236.2K
$1,513PKR 420.1K
-43.78%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$455PKR 126.2K
$647PKR 179.8K
-29.79%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Gujrat
Islamabad
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$243PKR 67.6K
$385PKR 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.