Cost of Living Comparison Between Iran and PakistanCost of Living Comparison Between Iran and Pakistan
Monthly Cost of Living
😐A single person spends $511 per month in Iran vs $450 in Pakistan, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $815 per month in Iran vs $678 in Pakistan, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,118 per month in Iran vs $905 in Pakistan, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in Iran is about 14% higher than in Pakistan on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Both Iran and Pakistan are more affordable than the global median – Iran 63% lower, Pakistan 67% lower.
📏The regional cost range is wider in Iran ($351–$785) than in Pakistan ($296–$604), so city choice matters more there.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Iran
Pakistan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.06$3.06
$2.10PKR 581
45.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$15.91$15.91
$14.51PKR 4,021
9.65%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.09$4.09
$5.53PKR 1,533
-26.04%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.86$0.86
$2.14PKR 594
-59.81%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.99$0.99
$4.04PKR 1,120
-75.50%
Cappuccino
$1.19$1.19
$2.04PKR 564
-41.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.53$0.53
$0.38PKR 105
39.47%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.91$0.91
$0.24PKR 66.7
279.17%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Iran
Pakistan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.65$0.65
$0.85PKR 235
-23.53%
White Bread(500g)
$0.47$0.47
$0.63PKR 174
-25.40%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.32$2.32
$1.22PKR 339
90.16%
Eggs
$1.16$1.16
$1.22PKR 337
-4.92%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.70$3.70
$5.79PKR 1,603
-36.10%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.02$3.02
$2.90PKR 803
4.14%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.39$9.39
$5.08PKR 1,407
84.84%
Apples(1kg)
$0.89$0.89
$1.13PKR 313
-21.24%
Banana(1kg)
$1.50$1.50
$0.69PKR 191
117.39%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.83$0.83
$0.84PKR 232
-1.19%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.54$0.54
$0.57PKR 159
-5.26%
Potato(1kg)
$0.48$0.48
$0.34PKR 95.0
41.18%
Onion(1kg)
$0.46$0.46
$0.42PKR 116
9.52%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.54$0.54
$0.34PKR 95.1
58.82%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.25$0.25
$0.41PKR 113
-39.02%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$0.98$0.98
$2.04PKR 566
-51.96%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.53$0.53
$1.08PKR 299
-50.93%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.40$1.40
$2.32PKR 644
-39.66%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.26$2.26
$2.14PKR 594
5.61%
🚌 Getting Around
Iran
Pakistan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.15$0.15
$0.18PKR 48.48
-16.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.04$10.04
$9.87PKR 2,736
1.72%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.51$0.51
$0.91PKR 252
-43.96%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.31$0.31
$0.52PKR 144
-40.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.42$2.42
$2.17PKR 601
11.52%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.29$0.29
$1.22PKR 337
-76.23%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$60.0K$60.0K
$18.3KPKR 5.1M
227.88%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$56.8K$56.8K
$25.4KPKR 7.0M
123.38%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Iran
Pakistan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$14.21$14.21
$108PKR 30.0K
-86.88%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.33$2.33
$5.35PKR 1,481
-56.45%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$6.75$6.75
$15.67PKR 4,340
-56.92%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Iran
Pakistan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$16.50$16.50
$15.93PKR 4,412
3.58%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.98$11.98
$10.70PKR 2,964
11.96%
Cinema Ticket
$1.54$1.54
$4.41PKR 1,222
-65.08%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Iran
Pakistan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$79.6$79.6
$42.68PKR 11.8K
86.50%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,164$1,164
$1,343PKR 372.0K
-13.32%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Iran
Pakistan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$22.32$22.32
$15.94PKR 4,417
40.03%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.69$26.69
$23.78PKR 6,589
12.24%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$98.3$98.3
$78.7PKR 21.8K
24.97%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$60.4$60.4
$33.79PKR 9,361
78.69%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Iran
Pakistan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$266$266
$134PKR 37.1K
98.48%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$182$182
$77.9PKR 21.6K
134.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$559$559
$309PKR 85.5K
81.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$359$359
$172PKR 47.7K
108.06%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$975$975
$1,017PKR 281.8K
-4.19%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$585$585
$522PKR 144.5K
12.10%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Iran
Pakistan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$247$247
$185PKR 51.2K
33.69%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
22.98
13.96
64.61%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Iran: September 7, 2026
Last update for Pakistan: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $283 in Iran vs $122 in Pakistan. For reference, capital cities sit at $423 in Tehran and $270 in Islamabad.
💰Average salary: $265 in Iran vs $181 in Pakistan. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 132% higher in Iran.
⭐Dining out costs 23% more in Iran.
⭐Salaries are 46% higher in Iran, and purchasing power comes out stronger in Iran.
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
Iran vs Pakistan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which country is cheaper: Iran or Pakistan?
Pakistan is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 26% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Is rent more expensive in Iran or in Pakistan?
Housing costs more in Iran, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but Iran consistently has higher rents.
How do daily expenses compare in Iran vs Pakistan?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Pakistan, contributing to the overall 26% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Can you live in both Iran and Pakistan on $1,000 per month?
$1,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Pakistan, but in Iran it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Which country is better for expats: Iran or Pakistan?
Pakistan is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.