😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $543 in Islamabad versus $440 in Bahawalnagar.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $851 in Islamabad versus $657 in Bahawalnagar.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,159 in Islamabad versus $874 in Bahawalnagar.
😐Living in Islamabad is roughly 23% more expensive than Bahawalnagar, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Islamabad59% lower, Bahawalnagar67% lower.
Moneda
🍽 Eating Out
Islamabad
Bahawalnagar
Diferencia
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.87PKR 801
$2.17PKR 604
32.26%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.22PKR 3,963
$14.34PKR 3,998
-0.84%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.23PKR 1,459
$4.19PKR 1,167
24.82%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74PKR 486
$2.75PKR 766
-36.73%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.82PKR 1,066
$3.63PKR 1,011
5.23%
Cappuccino
$2.05PKR 573
$2.34PKR 652
-12.39%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.39PKR 109
$0.33PKR 90.9
18.18%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.22PKR 61.2
$0.23PKR 64.4
-4.35%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Islamabad
Bahawalnagar
Diferencia
Milk(1 liter)
$0.96PKR 267
$0.86PKR 239
11.63%
White Bread(500g)
$0.61PKR 171
$0.61PKR 169
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.27PKR 355
$1.21PKR 338
4.96%
Eggs
$1.21PKR 337
$1.17PKR 326
3.42%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.17PKR 1,720
$6.05PKR 1,688
1.98%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.49PKR 973
$2.38PKR 663
46.64%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.39PKR 1,225
$1.27PKR 354
245.67%
Apples(1kg)
$1.03PKR 288
$0.88PKR 245
17.05%
Banana(1kg)
$0.82PKR 230
$0.63PKR 176
30.16%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.94PKR 263
$0.61PKR 171
54.10%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.56PKR 155
$0.44PKR 122
27.27%
Potato(1kg)
$0.38PKR 106
$0.35PKR 97.7
8.57%
Onion(1kg)
$0.53PKR 147
$0.52PKR 144
1.92%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.33PKR 92.5
$0.45PKR 124
-26.67%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.37PKR 104
$0.38PKR 106
-2.63%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.96PKR 547
$0.70PKR 194
180.00%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.92PKR 255
$0.52PKR 144
76.92%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.98PKR 552
$0.88PKR 245
125.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.07PKR 578
$1.98PKR 553
4.55%
🚌 Getting Around
Islamabad
Bahawalnagar
Diferencia
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.17PKR 46.57
$0.19PKR 54.1
-10.53%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$6.98PKR 1,945
$7.01PKR 1,954
-0.43%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.92PKR 255
$0.73PKR 202
26.03%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.41PKR 113
$0.53PKR 147
-22.64%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.75PKR 767
$1.75PKR 489
57.14%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.98PKR 274
$0.88PKR 246
11.36%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.3KPKR 5.9M
$17.5KPKR 4.9M
21.63%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1KPKR 7.3M
$22.9KPKR 6.4M
14.11%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Islamabad
Bahawalnagar
Diferencia
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$111PKR 31.1K
$139PKR 38.7K
-19.70%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.52PKR 1,538
$5.47PKR 1,526
0.91%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.67PKR 5,203
$17.15PKR 4,782
8.86%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Islamabad
Bahawalnagar
Diferencia
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$22.27PKR 6,207
$12.61PKR 3,515
76.61%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.85PKR 1,630
$5.95PKR 1,657
-1.68%
Cinema Ticket
$4.14PKR 1,153
$4.29PKR 1,195
-3.50%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Islamabad
Bahawalnagar
Diferencia
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$60.9PKR 17.0K
$35.17PKR 9,805
73.05%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,782PKR 775.4K
$1,242PKR 346.1K
124.02%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Islamabad
Bahawalnagar
Diferencia
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$21.34PKR 5,948
$15.19PKR 4,236
40.49%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.33PKR 7,898
$22.65PKR 6,314
25.08%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$90.1PKR 25.1K
$73.4PKR 20.5K
22.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$40.89PKR 11.4K
$30.67PKR 8,549
33.32%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Islamabad
Bahawalnagar
Diferencia
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$200PKR 55.7K
$76.6PKR 21.4K
160.76%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$111PKR 31.1K
$51.3PKR 14.3K
117.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$513PKR 143.0K
$166PKR 46.2K
209.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$288PKR 80.4K
$104PKR 29.1K
176.48%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,526PKR 425.3K
$924PKR 257.6K
65.11%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$740PKR 206.3K
$557PKR 155.3K
32.85%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Islamabad
Bahawalnagar
Diferencia
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$307PKR 85.7K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
20.2
19.88
1.61%
Los datos de CityCost se basan en IA y aportaciones de usuarios. Puede haber pequeñas variaciones.
Última actualización para Islamabad: April 27, 2026
Última actualización para Bahawalnagar: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $200 in Islamabad and $76.6 in Bahawalnagar. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $14.00 in Islamabad vs $14.00 in Bahawalnagar. Groceries flip the comparison at $99.0 vs $79.0, with Bahawalnagar cheaper for home cooking.
Comparación de velocidades medias de internet por ciudad (actualizado April 2026)
El gráfico resalta el umbral de precisión para velocidades de internet móvil y fija, actualizado trimestralmente.
Índice del coste de vida para nómadas digitales
Islamabad vs Bahawalnagar: Coste de vida - preguntas frecuentes
Is Bahawalnagar cheaper than Islamabad?
Bahawalnagar is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 23% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $814 in Islamabad and $661 in Bahawalnagar to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Islamabad and Bahawalnagar?
Rent for a central apartment: $200 in Islamabad versus $76.6 in Bahawalnagar. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Bahawalnagar runs roughly 0% less than in Islamabad. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $60.9 in Islamabad versus $35.17 in Bahawalnagar. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is $1,000 enough for either Islamabad or Bahawalnagar?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Bahawalnagar gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is it better to live in Islamabad or Bahawalnagar?
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.
Which city is safer, Islamabad or Bahawalnagar?
Safety-wise, Islamabad and Bahawalnagar are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Bahawalnagar gentler on the wallet – expenses run 23% less than in Islamabad. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Islamabad vs otros destinos: coste de vida comparado