Cost of Living Comparison Between Karachi and Gujrat Cost of Living Comparison Between Karachi and Gujrat

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $477 in Karachi versus $346 in Gujrat.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $727 in Karachi versus $536 in Gujrat.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $978 in Karachi versus $726 in Gujrat.

Living in Karachi is roughly 38% more expensive than Gujrat, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Karachi 64% lower, Gujrat 74% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Karachi
Gujrat
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.14 PKR 595
$1.75 PKR 487
22.29%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.44 PKR 3,461
$10.70 PKR 2,977
16.26%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.06 PKR 1,129
$3.56 PKR 992
14.04%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.99 PKR 553
$2.78 PKR 774
-28.42%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.22 PKR 1,451
$4.66 PKR 1,297
12.02%
Cappuccino
$1.89 PKR 525
$1.51 PKR 419
25.17%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36 PKR 101
$0.33 PKR 92.3
9.09%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23 PKR 64.2
$0.22 PKR 61.2
4.55%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Karachi
Gujrat
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.83 PKR 231
$0.71 PKR 198
16.90%
White Bread (500g)
$0.58 PKR 161
$0.61 PKR 168
-4.92%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.13 PKR 315
$1.27 PKR 352
-11.02%
Eggs
$1.21 PKR 337
$1.14 PKR 318
6.14%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.29 PKR 1,749
$7.46 PKR 2,076
-15.68%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.19 PKR 887
$2.66 PKR 740
19.92%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.91 PKR 1,365
$3.21 PKR 893
52.96%
Apples (1kg)
$1.03 PKR 287
$0.98 PKR 273
5.10%
Banana (1kg)
$0.58 PKR 162
$0.55 PKR 152
5.45%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.93 PKR 258
$0.63 PKR 175
47.62%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.56 PKR 156
$0.56 PKR 155
-
Potato (1kg)
$0.39 PKR 108
$0.37 PKR 104
5.41%
Onion (1kg)
$0.51 PKR 141
$0.52 PKR 144
-1.92%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.38 PKR 107
$0.59 PKR 164
-35.59%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.43 PKR 120
$0.40 PKR 111
7.50%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$1.28 PKR 356
$1.01 PKR 281
26.73%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.26 PKR 351
$0.74 PKR 207
70.27%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.08 PKR 580
$1.96 PKR 547
6.12%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.08 PKR 580
$1.82 PKR 505
14.29%
🚌 Getting Around
Karachi
Gujrat
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.34 PKR 94.4
$0.16 PKR 45.52
112.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$6.33 PKR 1,762
$6.91 PKR 1,923
-8.39%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.74 PKR 205
$1.08 PKR 300
-31.48%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.61 PKR 171
$0.44 PKR 122
38.64%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.79 PKR 497
$1.73 PKR 480
3.47%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.92 PKR 256
$1.00 PKR 277
-8.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$16.4K PKR 4.6M
$21.8K PKR 6.1M
-24.86%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.5K PKR 6.8M
$20.9K PKR 5.8M
17.02%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Karachi
Gujrat
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$132 PKR 36.8K
$57.3 PKR 15.9K
130.81%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.90 PKR 1,362
$3.89 PKR 1,082
25.96%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.63 PKR 3,791
$12.92 PKR 3,596
5.50%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Karachi
Gujrat
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$15.55 PKR 4,325
$12.25 PKR 3,408
26.94%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.33 PKR 3,986
$5.90 PKR 1,641
142.88%
Cinema Ticket
$4.33 PKR 1,203
$3.50 PKR 974
23.71%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Karachi
Gujrat
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$58.0 PKR 16.1K
$28.20 PKR 7,845
105.53%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,402 PKR 389.9K
$1,149 PKR 319.7K
21.98%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Karachi
Gujrat
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$17.73 PKR 4,932
$16.28 PKR 4,530
8.91%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.51 PKR 7,097
$22.09 PKR 6,145
15.48%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$64.2 PKR 17.8K
$59.9 PKR 16.7K
7.17%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$35.86 PKR 9,976
$26.16 PKR 7,278
37.08%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Karachi
Gujrat
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$122 PKR 33.8K
$74.1 PKR 20.6K
64.10%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$73.9 PKR 20.6K
$52.3 PKR 14.5K
41.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$323 PKR 89.8K
$164 PKR 45.5K
97.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$182 PKR 50.6K
$106 PKR 29.4K
71.96%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$985 PKR 273.9K
$1,043 PKR 290.2K
-5.62%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$457 PKR 127.3K
$534 PKR 148.6K
-14.37%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Karachi
Gujrat
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$181 PKR 50.2K
$246 PKR 68.4K
-26.59%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
17.8
18
-1.11%

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

Last update for Karachi: June 2, 2026

Last update for Gujrat: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $122 in Karachi and $74.1 in Gujrat. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Gujrat pays 36% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $12.00 in Karachi vs $11.00 in Gujrat for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $97.0 vs $91.0 per month, with Gujrat 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 Gujrat: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Karachi and Gujrat?
Karachi and Gujrat differ by about 38% in total monthly costs ($477 vs $346 including rent). Gujrat is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Gujrat earns 36% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Karachi and Gujrat?
Rent for a central apartment: $122 in Karachi versus $74.1 in Gujrat. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Gujrat – a meal for two runs $11.00 versus $12.00 in Karachi. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Karachi or Gujrat?
All in, you'll spend $477 per month in Karachi versus $346 in Gujrat – a 38% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How far does $1,200 go in Karachi vs Gujrat?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Gujrat 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 Karachi and Gujrat?
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.
Where should expats move: Karachi or Gujrat?
Expats usually find Gujrat gentler on the wallet – expenses run 38% less than in Karachi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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