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: $325 in Jhelum versus $492 in Lahore.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $512 in Jhelum versus $746 in Lahore.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $700 in Jhelum versus $1,001 in Lahore.

Living in Jhelum costs roughly 34% less than in Lahore, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Jhelum 76% lower, Lahore 63% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Jhelum
Lahore
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.78 PKR 496
$2.09 PKR 582
-14.83%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.47 PKR 2,911
$14.24 PKR 3,961
-26.47%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.58 PKR 996
$4.27 PKR 1,189
-16.16%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.90 PKR 806
$2.78 PKR 774
4.32%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.90 PKR 1,363
$3.62 PKR 1,007
35.36%
Cappuccino
$1.51 PKR 419
$2.34 PKR 651
-35.47%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33 PKR 91.9
$0.36 PKR 99.3
-8.33%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.24 PKR 67.0
$0.23 PKR 64.0
4.35%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Jhelum
Lahore
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.56 PKR 156
$0.89 PKR 247
-37.08%
White Bread (500g)
$0.59 PKR 165
$0.57 PKR 157
3.51%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.26 PKR 351
$1.17 PKR 324
7.69%
Eggs
$1.15 PKR 320
$1.20 PKR 335
-4.17%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.06 PKR 1,408
$6.11 PKR 1,700
-17.18%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.38 PKR 662
$3.05 PKR 849
-21.97%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$3.07 PKR 854
$4.44 PKR 1,234
-30.86%
Apples (1kg)
$1.03 PKR 287
$1.02 PKR 283
0.98%
Banana (1kg)
$0.54 PKR 151
$0.60 PKR 166
-10.00%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.63 PKR 175
$0.60 PKR 168
5.00%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.51 PKR 142
$0.48 PKR 133
6.25%
Potato (1kg)
$0.35 PKR 96.9
$0.32 PKR 90.2
9.37%
Onion (1kg)
$0.55 PKR 154
$0.48 PKR 133
14.58%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.19 PKR 51.5
$0.44 PKR 123
-56.82%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.22 PKR 61.2
$0.38 PKR 106
-42.11%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$1.01 PKR 282
$0.93 PKR 258
8.60%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.73 PKR 204
$0.55 PKR 152
32.73%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.98 PKR 550
$1.11 PKR 309
78.38%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$0.84 PKR 235
$1.99 PKR 555
-57.79%
🚌 Getting Around
Jhelum
Lahore
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.18 PKR 51.0
$0.19 PKR 52.7
-5.26%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$6.92 PKR 1,924
$6.98 PKR 1,941
-0.86%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.07 PKR 299
$0.70 PKR 194
52.86%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.53 PKR 148
$0.49 PKR 138
8.16%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.79 PKR 497
$1.78 PKR 496
0.56%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.97 PKR 269
$0.91 PKR 253
6.59%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.2K PKR 6.2M
$17.4K PKR 4.8M
27.99%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.8K PKR 5.8M
$23.8K PKR 6.6M
-12.39%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Jhelum
Lahore
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$52.9 PKR 14.7K
$138 PKR 38.3K
-61.57%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.87 PKR 799
$5.59 PKR 1,554
-48.66%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.02 PKR 3,623
$17.01 PKR 4,733
-23.46%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Jhelum
Lahore
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$12.58 PKR 3,500
$13.75 PKR 3,824
-8.51%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.85 PKR 1,628
$5.73 PKR 1,595
2.09%
Cinema Ticket
$3.44 PKR 957
$4.34 PKR 1,206
-20.74%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Jhelum
Lahore
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$17.79 PKR 4,950
$35.47 PKR 9,868
-49.84%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,111 PKR 309.1K
$1,238 PKR 344.3K
-10.21%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Jhelum
Lahore
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$16.17 PKR 4,498
$14.98 PKR 4,168
7.94%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$22.32 PKR 6,210
$22.69 PKR 6,311
-1.63%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$59.8 PKR 16.6K
$72.6 PKR 20.2K
-17.57%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$26.22 PKR 7,294
$29.85 PKR 8,304
-12.16%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Jhelum
Lahore
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$74.5 PKR 20.7K
$118 PKR 32.9K
-36.93%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$52.4 PKR 14.6K
$76.7 PKR 21.3K
-31.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$164 PKR 45.5K
$286 PKR 79.6K
-42.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$108 PKR 29.9K
$188 PKR 52.2K
-42.67%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$851 PKR 236.6K
$843 PKR 234.4K
0.95%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$454 PKR 126.3K
$615 PKR 171.2K
-26.24%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Jhelum
Lahore
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$184 PKR 51.3K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
18
19.88
-9.46%

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

Last update for Jhelum: June 1, 2026

Last update for Lahore: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $74.5 in Jhelum and $118 in Lahore. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $10.00 in Jhelum vs $14.00 in Lahore for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $76.0 vs $93.0 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 52% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $487 in Jhelum and $738 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: $74.5 in Jhelum versus $118 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 Lahore?
Supermarket bills run roughly 21% higher in Lahore. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is eating out cheaper in Jhelum or Lahore?
Dining out is cheaper in Jhelum – a meal for two runs $10.00 versus $14.00 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 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 52% less than in Lahore. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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