😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $533 in Islamabad versus $291 in Dera Ghazi Khan.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $849 in Islamabad versus $465 in Dera Ghazi Khan.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,166 in Islamabad versus $640 in Dera Ghazi Khan.
😐Living in Islamabad is roughly 83% more expensive than Dera Ghazi Khan, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Islamabad60% lower, Dera Ghazi Khan78% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Islamabad
Dera Ghazi Khan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.89PKR 804
$1.17PKR 325
147.01%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.01PKR 3,894
$10.58PKR 2,942
32.42%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.35PKR 1,487
$2.43PKR 676
120.16%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.75PKR 487
$1.04PKR 289
68.27%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.97PKR 1,105
$1.80PKR 499
120.56%
Cappuccino
$2.02PKR 561
$1.50PKR 417
34.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.39PKR 110
$0.34PKR 93.2
14.71%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.22PKR 61.1
$0.22PKR 61.0
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Islamabad
Dera Ghazi Khan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.02PKR 284
$0.72PKR 199
41.67%
White Bread(500g)
$0.66PKR 184
$0.46PKR 128
43.48%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.27PKR 353
$1.27PKR 353
-
Eggs
$1.23PKR 341
$1.19PKR 331
3.36%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.02PKR 1,675
$2.72PKR 757
121.32%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.41PKR 948
$1.97PKR 548
73.10%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.53PKR 1,260
$3.11PKR 865
45.66%
Apples(1kg)
$1.03PKR 288
$1.03PKR 286
-
Banana(1kg)
$0.84PKR 233
$0.58PKR 161
44.83%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.90PKR 251
$0.65PKR 181
38.46%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.55PKR 153
$0.55PKR 154
-
Potato(1kg)
$0.38PKR 106
$0.35PKR 96.7
8.57%
Onion(1kg)
$0.56PKR 156
$0.42PKR 117
33.33%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.30PKR 84.6
$0.62PKR 173
-51.61%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.41PKR 113
$0.34PKR 94.0
20.59%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.99PKR 553
$0.96PKR 267
107.29%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.93PKR 257
$0.92PKR 257
1.09%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01PKR 560
$2.02PKR 562
-0.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.15PKR 598
$1.73PKR 481
24.28%
🚌 Getting Around
Islamabad
Dera Ghazi Khan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.19PKR 52.8
$0.19PKR 54.1
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$6.95PKR 1,933
$7.18PKR 1,996
-3.20%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.85PKR 236
$1.04PKR 290
-18.27%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.41PKR 113
$0.33PKR 91.9
24.24%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.81PKR 781
$1.75PKR 487
60.57%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95PKR 264
$0.90PKR 251
5.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2KPKR 5.9M
$22.4KPKR 6.2M
-5.32%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.0KPKR 7.2M
$21.2KPKR 5.9M
22.90%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Islamabad
Dera Ghazi Khan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$112PKR 31.1K
$58.2PKR 16.2K
92.32%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.36PKR 1,492
$2.28PKR 633
135.09%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.59PKR 5,168
$12.90PKR 3,586
44.11%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Islamabad
Dera Ghazi Khan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$22.15PKR 6,158
$12.20PKR 3,391
81.56%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.89PKR 1,638
$6.02PKR 1,673
-2.16%
Cinema Ticket
$4.34PKR 1,206
$3.46PKR 962
25.43%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Islamabad
Dera Ghazi Khan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$59.4PKR 16.5K
$28.04PKR 7,795
111.66%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,783PKR 773.8K
$1,114PKR 309.8K
149.75%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Islamabad
Dera Ghazi Khan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$21.12PKR 5,873
$16.22PKR 4,510
30.21%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.99PKR 7,782
$21.88PKR 6,082
27.93%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$87.7PKR 24.4K
$59.6PKR 16.6K
47.20%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$39.46PKR 11.0K
$25.80PKR 7,173
52.95%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Islamabad
Dera Ghazi Khan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$201PKR 56.0K
$55.8PKR 15.5K
261.16%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$112PKR 31.0K
$30.32PKR 8,430
268.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$515PKR 143.2K
$118PKR 32.8K
337.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$298PKR 82.9K
$66.6PKR 18.5K
347.94%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,567PKR 435.8K
$915PKR 254.5K
71.24%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$646PKR 179.6K
$480PKR 133.5K
34.59%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Islamabad
Dera Ghazi Khan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$378PKR 105.1K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
20.2
18
12.22%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Islamabad: June 7, 2026
Last update for Dera Ghazi Khan: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $201 in Islamabad and $55.8 in Dera Ghazi Khan. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $14.00 in Islamabad vs $11.00 in Dera Ghazi Khan for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $100 vs $71.0 per month, with Dera Ghazi Khan cheaper across the board.
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
Islamabad vs Dera Ghazi Khan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Islamabad and Dera Ghazi Khan?
Islamabad and Dera Ghazi Khan differ by about 83% in total monthly costs ($533 vs $291 including rent). Dera Ghazi Khan is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Islamabad compared to Dera Ghazi Khan?
You'd need roughly $799 in Islamabad and $436 in Dera Ghazi Khan 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.
How do apartment prices compare in Islamabad and Dera Ghazi Khan?
Rent for a central apartment: $201 in Islamabad versus $55.8 in Dera Ghazi Khan. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Islamabad and Dera Ghazi Khan?
A monthly transit pass in Dera Ghazi Khan runs roughly 3% less than in Islamabad. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Islamabad and Dera Ghazi Khan?
Childcare runs $59.4 in Islamabad versus $28.04 in Dera Ghazi Khan. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How far does $1,200 go in Islamabad vs Dera Ghazi Khan?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Dera Ghazi Khan gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
How does quality of life compare between Islamabad and Dera Ghazi Khan?
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.
Is Islamabad or Dera Ghazi Khan safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Islamabad and Dera Ghazi Khan are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Islamabad or Dera Ghazi Khan?
Expats usually find Dera Ghazi Khan gentler on the wallet – expenses run 83% less than in Islamabad. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.