Cost of Living Comparison Between Jhelum and Lahore Cost of Living Comparison Between Jhelum and Lahore

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $392 in Jhelum versus $500 in Lahore.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $596 in Jhelum versus $765 in Lahore.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $800 in Jhelum versus $1,030 in Lahore.

Living in Jhelum costs roughly 22% less than in Lahore, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Jhelum 72% lower, Lahore 64% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Jhelum
Lahore
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.79 PKR 495
$2.59 PKR 718
-30.89%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.81 PKR 2,995
$14.55 PKR 4,033
-25.70%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.27 PKR 1,460
$5.66 PKR 1,569
-6.89%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.54 PKR 704
$3.56 PKR 988
-28.65%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22 PKR 615
$5.54 PKR 1,536
-59.93%
Cappuccino
$1.52 PKR 421
$2.51 PKR 697
-39.44%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43 PKR 119
$0.43 PKR 119
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.30 PKR 81.8
$0.26 PKR 72.7
15.38%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Jhelum
Lahore
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.64 PKR 177
$0.85 PKR 237
-24.71%
White Bread (500g)
$0.61 PKR 168
$0.72 PKR 199
-15.28%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.23 PKR 340
$1.17 PKR 325
5.13%
Eggs
$1.22 PKR 339
$1.25 PKR 345
-2.40%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$2.57 PKR 713
$6.41 PKR 1,777
-59.91%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.32 PKR 643
$2.45 PKR 678
-5.31%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$2.72 PKR 754
$4.72 PKR 1,310
-42.37%
Apples (1kg)
$1.09 PKR 302
$1.17 PKR 323
-6.84%
Banana (1kg)
$0.35 PKR 96.6
$0.66 PKR 182
-46.97%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.54 PKR 150
$0.85 PKR 235
-36.47%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.47 PKR 129
$0.60 PKR 167
-21.67%
Potato (1kg)
$0.31 PKR 86.9
$0.30 PKR 83.8
3.33%
Onion (1kg)
$0.35 PKR 95.7
$0.33 PKR 90.9
6.06%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.50 PKR 138
$0.45 PKR 124
11.11%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.42 PKR 117
$0.36 PKR 101
16.67%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$1.82 PKR 506
$1.09 PKR 303
66.97%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.55 PKR 154
$0.65 PKR 180
-15.38%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.72 PKR 753
$1.71 PKR 474
59.06%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33 PKR 645
$2.15 PKR 596
8.37%
🚌 Getting Around
Jhelum
Lahore
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.17 PKR 46.47
$0.18 PKR 49.71
-5.56%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$8.75 PKR 2,424
$5.27 PKR 1,461
66.03%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.10 PKR 304
$0.88 PKR 243
25.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.05 PKR 291
$0.69 PKR 192
52.17%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.82 PKR 781
$1.77 PKR 490
59.32%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.12 PKR 309
$1.26 PKR 350
-11.11%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.1K PKR 6.4M
$18.0K PKR 5.0M
28.47%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.8K PKR 6.3M
$26.6K PKR 7.4M
-14.08%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Jhelum
Lahore
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$66.8 PKR 18.5K
$124 PKR 34.3K
-45.95%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.54 PKR 1,536
$5.17 PKR 1,432
7.16%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.61 PKR 4,049
$16.25 PKR 4,506
-10.09%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Jhelum
Lahore
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$12.94 PKR 3,586
$19.21 PKR 5,324
-32.64%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$10.62 PKR 2,943
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.25 PKR 2,008
$4.30 PKR 1,191
68.60%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Jhelum
Lahore
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$26.69 PKR 7,397
$44.27 PKR 12.3K
-39.71%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,005 PKR 555.6K
$1,982 PKR 549.4K
1.13%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Jhelum
Lahore
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$18.80 PKR 5,210
$16.83 PKR 4,664
11.71%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.60 PKR 7,373
$25.65 PKR 7,109
3.70%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$54.3 PKR 15.0K
$75.3 PKR 20.9K
-27.88%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$30.28 PKR 8,392
$29.41 PKR 8,151
2.96%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Jhelum
Lahore
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$116 PKR 32.3K
$151 PKR 42.0K
-23.15%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$79.7 PKR 22.1K
$80.3 PKR 22.2K
-0.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$243 PKR 67.3K
$317 PKR 87.9K
-23.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$152 PKR 42.1K
$191 PKR 53.0K
-20.64%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$991 PKR 274.5K
$840 PKR 232.9K
17.90%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$534 PKR 148.1K
$594 PKR 164.5K
-9.97%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Jhelum
Lahore
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$183 PKR 50.8K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.83
14.22
-16.81%

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

Last update for Jhelum: September 1, 2026

Last update for Lahore: August 29, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $116 in Jhelum and $151 in Lahore. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $11.00 in Jhelum vs $15.00 in Lahore for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $70.0 vs $95.0 per month, with Jhelum 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
Jhelum vs Lahore: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lahore cheaper than Jhelum?
Jhelum is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 28% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $587 in Jhelum and $749 in Lahore 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 Jhelum and Lahore?
Rent for a central apartment: $116 in Jhelum versus $151 in Lahore. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Jhelum and in Lahore?
Supermarket bills run roughly 35% higher in Lahore. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is eating out cheaper in Jhelum or in Lahore?
Dining out is cheaper in Jhelum – a meal for two runs $11.00 versus $15.00 in Lahore. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,000 enough for either Jhelum or Lahore?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Jhelum 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 Jhelum or in Lahore?
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, Jhelum or Lahore?
Safety-wise, Jhelum and Lahore 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 Jhelum gentler on the wallet – expenses run 28% less than in Lahore. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Jhelum vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities