😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $457 in Karachi versus $442 in Burewala.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $728 in Karachi versus $657 in Burewala.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $999 in Karachi versus $873 in Burewala.
🌍Living in Karachi is roughly 3% more expensive than in Burewala, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Karachi67% lower, Burewala68% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Karachi
Burewala
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.20PKR 612
$2.04PKR 565
7.84%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.33PKR 3,976
$10.63PKR 2,948
34.81%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.27PKR 1,463
$5.39PKR 1,496
-2.23%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.14PKR 594
$2.43PKR 675
-11.93%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.36PKR 2,041
$4.58PKR 1,269
60.70%
Cappuccino
$2.20PKR 610
$1.47PKR 409
49.66%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33PKR 92.4
$0.36PKR 99.0
-8.33%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23PKR 63.4
$0.24PKR 66.3
-4.17%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Karachi
Burewala
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.89PKR 248
$0.82PKR 227
8.54%
White Bread(500g)
$0.52PKR 145
$0.59PKR 165
-11.86%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.24PKR 345
$1.16PKR 321
6.90%
Eggs
$1.21PKR 335
$1.24PKR 345
-2.42%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.19PKR 1,716
$5.80PKR 1,610
6.72%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.03PKR 841
$2.62PKR 727
15.65%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.11PKR 1,696
$4.94PKR 1,370
23.68%
Apples(1kg)
$1.22PKR 340
$1.13PKR 314
7.96%
Banana(1kg)
$0.55PKR 153
$0.56PKR 154
-1.79%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.98PKR 272
$0.74PKR 205
32.43%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.59PKR 164
$0.49PKR 135
20.41%
Potato(1kg)
$0.34PKR 95.2
$0.27PKR 74.8
25.93%
Onion(1kg)
$0.31PKR 85.3
$0.33PKR 90.9
-6.06%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.39PKR 109
$0.27PKR 75.9
44.44%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.43PKR 121
$0.37PKR 102
16.22%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.25PKR 347
$1.87PKR 518
-33.16%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.32PKR 365
$1.11PKR 307
18.92%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48PKR 687
$2.38PKR 659
4.20%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.79PKR 496
$2.07PKR 576
-13.53%
🚌 Getting Around
Karachi
Burewala
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.28PKR 77.6
$0.19PKR 52.7
47.37%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.20PKR 2,275
$9.99PKR 2,771
-17.92%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.74PKR 205
$0.95PKR 263
-22.11%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.70PKR 195
$0.72PKR 200
-2.78%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.20PKR 609
$1.57PKR 435
40.13%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.33PKR 369
$1.05PKR 292
26.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.0KPKR 5.0M
$24.8KPKR 6.9M
-27.29%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.6KPKR 7.6M
$27.6KPKR 7.7M
-0.18%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Karachi
Burewala
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$104PKR 28.8K
$117PKR 32.5K
-11.53%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.88PKR 1,631
$5.36PKR 1,487
9.70%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$12.86PKR 3,567
$12.54PKR 3,478
2.55%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Karachi
Burewala
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$20.32PKR 5,637
$15.87PKR 4,404
28.04%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.66PKR 5,177
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.40PKR 1,222
$4.13PKR 1,145
6.54%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Karachi
Burewala
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$50.4PKR 14.0K
$36.96PKR 10.3K
36.34%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,375PKR 381.5K
$1,145PKR 317.7K
20.08%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Karachi
Burewala
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$14.81PKR 4,109
$14.56PKR 4,039
1.72%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$21.90PKR 6,076
$19.38PKR 5,377
13.00%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$65.2PKR 18.1K
$70.0PKR 19.4K
-6.77%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$35.81PKR 9,933
$28.71PKR 7,965
24.73%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Karachi
Burewala
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$111PKR 30.8K
$124PKR 34.4K
-10.43%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$70.9PKR 19.7K
$80.7PKR 22.4K
-12.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$297PKR 82.3K
$255PKR 70.7K
16.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$180PKR 49.9K
$167PKR 46.4K
7.72%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$976PKR 270.9K
$793PKR 220.0K
23.14%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$467PKR 129.6K
$560PKR 155.4K
-16.59%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Karachi
Burewala
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$182PKR 50.4K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.88
12.88
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Karachi: August 30, 2026
Last update for Burewala: August 29, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $111 in Karachi and $124 in Burewala. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $14.00 in Karachi vs $11.00 in Burewala for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $101 vs $90.0 per month, with Burewala 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
Karachi vs Burewala: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Karachi or Burewala?
Burewala wins on cost – living expenses run 3% lower than in Karachi. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Burewala the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Karachi and in Burewala?
You'd need roughly $685 in Karachi and $663 in Burewala 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 much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Karachi compared to Burewala?
Rent for a central apartment: $111 in Karachi versus $124 in Burewala. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Karachi compared to Burewala?
A monthly transit pass in Burewala runs roughly 22% less than in Karachi. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How do childcare costs compare in Karachi and in Burewala?
Childcare runs $50.4 in Karachi versus $36.96 in Burewala. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Can you live on $800/month in Karachi or in Burewala?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Burewala gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Karachi or Burewala?
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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Burewala gentler on the wallet – expenses run 3% less than in Karachi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.