Cost of Living Comparison Between Iran and PakistanCost of Living Comparison Between Iran and Pakistan
Monthly Cost of Living
😐A single person spends $517 per month in Iran vs $391 in Pakistan, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $826 per month in Iran vs $592 in Pakistan, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,134 per month in Iran vs $792 in Pakistan, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in Iran is about 32% 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 61% lower, Pakistan 71% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Iran
Pakistan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.48$3.48
$1.81PKR 502
92.27%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.86$18.86
$12.15PKR 3,370
55.23%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.94$3.94
$4.29PKR 1,189
-8.16%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.71$0.71
$1.75PKR 484
-59.43%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.08$1.08
$3.98PKR 1,105
-72.86%
Cappuccino
$1.15$1.15
$1.74PKR 482
-33.91%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.58$0.58
$0.36PKR 100
61.11%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.89$0.89
$0.21PKR 58.2
323.81%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Iran
Pakistan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.63$0.63
$0.78PKR 215
-19.23%
White Bread(500g)
$0.48$0.48
$0.56PKR 154
-14.29%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.11$2.11
$1.21PKR 337
74.38%
Eggs
$1.16$1.16
$1.20PKR 334
-3.33%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.79$3.79
$5.69PKR 1,577
-33.39%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.02$3.02
$2.84PKR 788
6.34%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.29$9.29
$4.09PKR 1,133
127.14%
Apples(1kg)
$0.85$0.85
$1.00PKR 278
-15.00%
Banana(1kg)
$1.45$1.45
$0.61PKR 170
137.70%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.94$0.94
$0.76PKR 211
23.68%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.58$0.58
$0.52PKR 145
11.54%
Potato(1kg)
$0.55$0.55
$0.38PKR 106
44.74%
Onion(1kg)
$0.48$0.48
$0.51PKR 143
-5.88%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.52$0.52
$0.38PKR 106
36.84%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.24$0.24
$0.36PKR 98.7
-33.33%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$0.82$0.82
$2.01PKR 558
-59.20%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.58$0.58
$1.10PKR 304
-47.27%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.40$1.40
$2.08PKR 578
-32.69%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.98$1.98
$1.96PKR 544
1.02%
🚌 Getting Around
Iran
Pakistan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.22$0.22
$0.20PKR 56.1
10.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.17$10.17
$7.24PKR 2,008
40.47%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.52$0.52
$0.84PKR 232
-38.10%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.31$0.31
$0.52PKR 145
-40.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.43$2.43
$1.79PKR 496
35.75%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.72$0.72
$0.89PKR 248
-19.10%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$72.6K$72.6K
$17.8KPKR 4.9M
307.87%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$58.6K$58.6K
$23.7KPKR 6.6M
146.85%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Iran
Pakistan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$15.81$15.81
$110PKR 30.5K
-85.61%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.13$2.13
$4.58PKR 1,269
-53.49%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.70$7.70
$15.58PKR 4,320
-50.58%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Iran
Pakistan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$17.24$17.24
$13.28PKR 3,682
29.82%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.72$11.72
$8.84PKR 2,453
32.58%
Cinema Ticket
$1.53$1.53
$4.13PKR 1,147
-62.95%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Iran
Pakistan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$94.4$94.4
$39.62PKR 11.0K
138.34%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,293$1,293
$1,170PKR 324.5K
10.47%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Iran
Pakistan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$26.84$26.84
$15.59PKR 4,324
72.16%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.51$31.51
$23.77PKR 6,593
32.56%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$111$111
$71.9PKR 19.9K
54.91%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$65.7$65.7
$32.15PKR 8,916
104.48%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Iran
Pakistan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$302$302
$115PKR 31.9K
162.94%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$213$213
$66.3PKR 18.4K
220.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$664$664
$274PKR 76.1K
142.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$427$427
$163PKR 45.1K
162.29%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$986$986
$965PKR 267.7K
2.16%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$583$583
$502PKR 139.2K
16.20%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Iran
Pakistan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$244$244
$186PKR 51.5K
31.53%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
22.87
18.97
20.56%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Iran: July 12, 2026
Last update for Pakistan: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $294 in Iran vs $78.0 in Pakistan. For reference, capital cities sit at $491 in Tehran and $199 in Islamabad.
💰Average salary: $267 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 277% higher in Iran.
⭐Dining out costs 55% more in Iran.
⭐Public transport is 43% more expensive in Iran.
⭐Salaries are 48% higher 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 34% 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 34% 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.