🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $475 in Karachi versus $498 in Pattoki.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $735 in Karachi versus $719 in Pattoki.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $995 in Karachi versus $939 in Pattoki.
🌍Living in Karachi costs roughly 5% less than in Pattoki, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Karachi66% lower, Pattoki64% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Karachi
Pattoki
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.11PKR 584
$2.47PKR 685
-14.57%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.17PKR 3,924
$11.02PKR 3,052
28.58%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.56PKR 1,540
$5.26PKR 1,456
5.70%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.13PKR 591
$2.67PKR 740
-20.22%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.18PKR 1,988
$5.29PKR 1,465
35.73%
Cappuccino
$2.29PKR 633
$1.86PKR 516
23.12%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.38PKR 106
$0.30PKR 83.8
26.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.24PKR 66.0
$0.19PKR 52.3
26.32%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Karachi
Pattoki
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.85PKR 237
$0.72PKR 199
18.06%
White Bread(500g)
$0.57PKR 157
$0.53PKR 147
7.55%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.22PKR 337
$1.08PKR 299
12.96%
Eggs
$1.22PKR 339
$1.11PKR 307
9.91%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.08PKR 1,684
$6.99PKR 1,936
-13.02%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.14PKR 870
$2.40PKR 665
30.83%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.25PKR 1,732
$4.34PKR 1,202
44.01%
Apples(1kg)
$1.22PKR 339
$0.90PKR 250
35.56%
Banana(1kg)
$0.59PKR 163
$0.49PKR 136
20.41%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.99PKR 274
$0.71PKR 198
39.44%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.56PKR 154
$0.58PKR 160
-3.45%
Potato(1kg)
$0.35PKR 95.7
$0.40PKR 110
-12.50%
Onion(1kg)
$0.33PKR 91.5
$0.44PKR 121
-25.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.36PKR 101
$0.46PKR 127
-21.74%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40PKR 111
$0.37PKR 103
8.11%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.29PKR 357
$1.81PKR 500
-28.73%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.33PKR 367
$1.06PKR 295
25.47%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50PKR 692
$2.83PKR 783
-11.66%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.79PKR 496
$2.19PKR 606
-18.26%
🚌 Getting Around
Karachi
Pattoki
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30PKR 83.7
$0.20PKR 54.4
50.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$7.95PKR 2,201
$10.05PKR 2,784
-20.90%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.70PKR 195
$1.47PKR 407
-52.38%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.73PKR 203
$0.37PKR 104
97.30%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.12PKR 587
$0.91PKR 253
132.97%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.34PKR 371
$1.15PKR 319
16.52%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.0KPKR 5.0M
$24.7KPKR 6.8M
-27.09%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.2KPKR 7.5M
$26.5KPKR 7.4M
2.50%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Karachi
Pattoki
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$110PKR 30.5K
$142PKR 39.3K
-22.38%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.71PKR 1,582
$4.99PKR 1,382
14.43%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.12PKR 3,634
$19.22PKR 5,323
-31.74%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Karachi
Pattoki
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$21.28PKR 5,896
$14.81PKR 4,103
43.69%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.76PKR 5,198
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.20PKR 1,164
$4.34PKR 1,202
-3.23%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Karachi
Pattoki
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$50.3PKR 13.9K
$41.76PKR 11.6K
20.52%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,589PKR 440.2K
$1,006PKR 278.7K
57.96%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Karachi
Pattoki
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$15.49PKR 4,290
$18.26PKR 5,060
-15.17%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$22.03PKR 6,104
$18.79PKR 5,206
17.24%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$67.7PKR 18.7K
$93.6PKR 25.9K
-27.71%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$38.00PKR 10.5K
$25.37PKR 7,029
49.78%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Karachi
Pattoki
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$108PKR 29.8K
$126PKR 34.9K
-14.55%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$71.6PKR 19.8K
$77.9PKR 21.6K
-8.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$323PKR 89.4K
$256PKR 71.0K
26.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$184PKR 51.0K
$151PKR 41.7K
22.18%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,036PKR 287.0K
$899PKR 249.2K
15.18%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$470PKR 130.2K
$507PKR 140.6K
-7.41%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Karachi
Pattoki
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$182PKR 50.4K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.88
13
-0.92%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Karachi: September 7, 2026
Last update for Pattoki: September 5, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $108 in Karachi and $126 in Pattoki. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $14.00 in Karachi vs $11.00 in Pattoki for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $101 vs $89.0 per month, with Pattoki 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 Pattoki: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Karachi and in Pattoki?
Karachi and Pattoki differ by about 5% in total monthly costs ($475 vs $498 including rent). Karachi is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Karachi compared to Pattoki?
You'd need roughly $713 in Karachi and $747 in Pattoki 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 Karachi and in Pattoki?
Rent for a central apartment: $108 in Karachi versus $126 in Pattoki. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Karachi or Pattoki?
All in, you'll spend $475 per month in Karachi versus $498 in Pattoki – a 5% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Karachi and in Pattoki?
A monthly transit pass in Karachi runs roughly 26% less than in Pattoki. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How far does $1,200 go in Karachi compared to Pattoki?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Karachi 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 Pattoki?
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 Pattoki?
Expats usually find Karachi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 5% less than in Pattoki. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.