Cost of Living Comparison Between Isfahan and Karachi Cost of Living Comparison Between Isfahan and Karachi

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $478 per month in Isfahan vs $477 in Karachi, rent included.

A couple spends around $833 per month in Isfahan vs $727 in Karachi, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,188 per month in Isfahan vs $978 in Karachi, rent included.

Isfahan and Karachi have comparable living costs – the differences are in the details.

Both Isfahan and Karachi are more affordable than the global median – Isfahan 64% lower, Karachi 64% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.02 $3.02

$2.14 PKR 595

41.12%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$10.65 $10.65

$12.44 PKR 3,461

-14.39%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$3.03 $3.03

$4.06 PKR 1,129

-25.37%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.03 $1.03

$1.99 PKR 553

-48.24%

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.06 $2.06

$5.22 PKR 1,451

-60.54%

Cappuccino

$0.82 $0.82

$1.89 PKR 525

-56.61%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.48 $0.48

$0.36 PKR 101

33.33%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.94 $0.94

$0.23 PKR 64.2

308.70%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.55 $0.55

$0.83 PKR 231

-33.73%

White Bread (500g)

$0.42 $0.42

$0.58 PKR 161

-27.59%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.28 $2.28

$1.13 PKR 315

101.77%

Eggs

$1.50 $1.50

$1.21 PKR 337

23.97%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$2.81 $2.81

$6.29 PKR 1,749

-55.33%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.11 $3.11

$3.19 PKR 887

-2.51%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$9.98 $9.98

$4.91 PKR 1,365

103.26%

Apples (1kg)

$0.63 $0.63

$1.03 PKR 287

-38.83%

Banana (1kg)

$1.41 $1.41

$0.58 PKR 162

143.10%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.93 PKR 258

12.90%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.56 $0.56

$0.56 PKR 156

Potato (1kg)

$0.61 $0.61

$0.39 PKR 108

56.41%

Onion (1kg)

$0.48 $0.48

$0.51 PKR 141

-5.88%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.58 $0.58

$0.38 PKR 107

52.63%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.21 $0.21

$0.43 PKR 120

-51.16%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$0.52 $0.52

$1.28 PKR 356

-59.38%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 $0.51

$1.26 PKR 351

-59.52%

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.77 $0.77

$2.08 PKR 580

-62.98%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.08 $2.08

$2.08 PKR 580

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.29 $0.29

$0.34 PKR 94.4

-14.71%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$13.06 $13.06

$6.33 PKR 1,762

106.32%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.52 $0.52

$0.74 PKR 205

-29.73%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.31 $0.31

$0.61 PKR 171

-49.18%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.97 $1.97

$1.79 PKR 497

10.06%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.84 $0.84

$0.92 PKR 256

-8.70%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$67.9K $67.9K

$16.4K PKR 4.6M

313.76%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$59.8K $59.8K

$24.5K PKR 6.8M

144.14%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$14.84 $14.84

$132 PKR 36.8K

-88.78%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$1.87 $1.87

$4.90 PKR 1,362

-61.84%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$7.62 $7.62

$13.63 PKR 3,791

-44.09%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$13.36 $13.36

$15.55 PKR 4,325

-14.08%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.70 $10.70

$14.33 PKR 3,986

-25.33%

Cinema Ticket

$1.09 $1.09

$4.33 PKR 1,203

-74.83%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$71.9 $71.9

$58.0 PKR 16.1K

24.07%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$579 $579

$1,402 PKR 389.9K

-58.67%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$18.06 $18.06

$17.73 PKR 4,932

1.86%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.12 $24.12

$25.51 PKR 7,097

-5.45%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$85.8 $85.8

$64.2 PKR 17.8K

33.75%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$36.61 $36.61

$35.86 PKR 9,975

2.09%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$291 $291

$122 PKR 33.8K

139.00%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$193 $193

$73.9 PKR 20.6K

160.88%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$899 $899

$323 PKR 89.8K

178.33%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$532 $532

$182 PKR 50.6K

192.45%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,200 $1,200

$985 PKR 273.9K

21.90%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$717 $717

$457 PKR 127.2K

56.70%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$207 $207

$181 PKR 50.2K

14.85%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

26.86

17.8

50.90%

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

Last update for Isfahan: June 1, 2026

Last update for Karachi: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $291 in Isfahan versus $122 in Karachi. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 15% higher in Isfahan. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $11.00 in Isfahan versus $12.00 in Karachi. Groceries tell a different story – $105 in Isfahan vs $97.0 in Karachi – so Karachi wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated March 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Isfahan vs Karachi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

For a comfortable life, plan on about $717 per month in Isfahan and $715 in Karachi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Karachi, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 8% more in Isfahan, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

Kindergarten costs $71.9 per month in Isfahan and $58.0 in Karachi. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $478 in Isfahan and $477 in Karachi, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

Families tend to lean toward Karachi – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Karachi. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Isfahan makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.