Cost of Living Comparison Between Isfahan and Lahore Cost of Living Comparison Between Isfahan and Lahore

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $472 per month in Isfahan vs $500 in Lahore, rent included.

A couple spends around $799 per month in Isfahan vs $765 in Lahore, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,126 per month in Isfahan vs $1,030 in Lahore, rent included.

Isfahan is about 5% cheaper than Lahore, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Isfahan and Lahore are more affordable than the global median – Isfahan 66% lower, Lahore 64% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Isfahan
Lahore
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.04 $3.04
$2.59 PKR 718
17.37%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.68 $10.68
$14.55 PKR 4,033
-26.60%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.04 $3.04
$5.66 PKR 1,569
-46.29%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.76 $0.76
$3.56 PKR 988
-78.65%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.98 $1.98
$5.54 PKR 1,536
-64.26%
Cappuccino
$1.01 $1.01
$2.51 PKR 697
-59.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52 $0.52
$0.43 PKR 119
20.93%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51 $0.51
$0.26 PKR 72.7
96.15%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Isfahan
Lahore
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.52 $0.52
$0.85 PKR 237
-38.82%
White Bread (500g)
$0.45 $0.45
$0.72 PKR 199
-37.50%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.04 $2.04
$1.17 PKR 325
74.36%
Eggs
$1.53 $1.53
$1.25 PKR 345
22.40%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$2.77 $2.77
$6.41 PKR 1,777
-56.79%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.46 $2.46
$2.45 PKR 678
0.41%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.29 $10.29
$4.72 PKR 1,310
118.01%
Apples (1kg)
$0.68 $0.68
$1.17 PKR 323
-41.88%
Banana (1kg)
$1.31 $1.31
$0.66 PKR 182
98.48%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.01 $1.01
$0.85 PKR 235
18.82%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.56 $0.56
$0.60 PKR 167
-6.67%
Potato (1kg)
$0.59 $0.59
$0.30 PKR 83.8
96.67%
Onion (1kg)
$0.49 $0.49
$0.33 PKR 90.9
48.48%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.58 $0.58
$0.45 PKR 124
28.89%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.19 $0.19
$0.36 PKR 101
-47.22%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$0.48 $0.48
$1.09 PKR 303
-55.96%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.51 $0.51
$0.65 PKR 180
-21.54%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76 $0.76
$1.71 PKR 474
-55.56%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.08 $2.08
$2.15 PKR 596
-3.26%
🚌 Getting Around
Isfahan
Lahore
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.29 $0.29
$0.18 PKR 49.71
61.11%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$12.44 $12.44
$5.27 PKR 1,461
136.05%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.48 $0.48
$0.88 PKR 243
-45.45%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.31 $0.31
$0.69 PKR 192
-55.07%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.04 $2.04
$1.77 PKR 490
15.25%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.89 $0.89
$1.26 PKR 350
-29.37%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$67.9K $67.9K
$18.0K PKR 5.0M
277.64%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$58.5K $58.5K
$26.6K PKR 7.4M
119.88%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Isfahan
Lahore
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$10.27 $10.27
$124 PKR 34.3K
-91.69%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.03 $2.03
$5.17 PKR 1,432
-60.74%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.42 $7.42
$16.25 PKR 4,506
-54.34%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Isfahan
Lahore
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$13.39 $13.39
$19.21 PKR 5,324
-30.30%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.53 $13.53
$10.62 PKR 2,943
27.40%
Cinema Ticket
$0.99 $0.99
$4.30 PKR 1,191
-76.98%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Isfahan
Lahore
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$71.8 $71.8
$44.27 PKR 12.3K
62.07%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$515 $515
$1,982 PKR 549.4K
-74.02%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Isfahan
Lahore
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$18.18 $18.18
$16.83 PKR 4,664
8.02%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.37 $24.37
$25.65 PKR 7,109
-4.99%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$85.3 $85.3
$75.3 PKR 20.9K
13.30%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$37.50 $37.50
$29.41 PKR 8,151
27.51%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Isfahan
Lahore
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$287 $287
$151 PKR 42.0K
89.41%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$198 $198
$80.3 PKR 22.2K
146.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,302 $1,302
$317 PKR 87.9K
310.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$449 $449
$191 PKR 53.0K
134.58%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,189 $1,189
$840 PKR 232.9K
41.51%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$754 $754
$594 PKR 164.5K
27.11%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Isfahan
Lahore
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$205 $205
$183 PKR 50.8K
11.88%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
26.8
14.22
88.47%

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

Last update for Isfahan: August 30, 2026

Last update for Lahore: August 29, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $287 in Isfahan versus $151 in Lahore. 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 12% higher in Isfahan, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $11.00 in Isfahan versus $15.00 in Lahore. Groceries tell a different story – $101 in Isfahan vs $95.0 in Lahore – so Lahore 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 Lahore: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Isfahan or Lahore?
Lahore costs about 6% more than Isfahan, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Isfahan and in Lahore?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $709 per month in Isfahan and $749 in Lahore. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Isfahan or Lahore?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Isfahan, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Isfahan and in Lahore?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $11.00 in Isfahan and $15.00 in Lahore. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Isfahan compared to Lahore?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $472 in Isfahan and $500 in Lahore. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Can you live on $800/month in Isfahan or in Lahore?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $472 in Isfahan and $500 in Lahore, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Isfahan – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Isfahan compared to Lahore?
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.
Should I move to Isfahan or to Lahore?
If budget matters most, go with Isfahan. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Lahore makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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