😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $483 in Karachi versus $369 in Pattoki.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $731 in Karachi versus $539 in Pattoki.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $979 in Karachi versus $708 in Pattoki.
🌍Living in Karachi is roughly 31% more expensive than in Pattoki, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Karachi64% lower, Pattoki72% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Karachi
Pattoki
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.06PKR 572
$2.10PKR 583
-1.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.15PKR 3,373
$8.59PKR 2,385
41.44%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.00PKR 1,112
$5.26PKR 1,459
-23.95%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.92PKR 533
$1.80PKR 501
6.67%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.33PKR 1,478
$3.15PKR 873
69.21%
Cappuccino
$1.85PKR 513
$1.38PKR 382
34.06%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33PKR 92.7
$0.30PKR 84.5
10.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23PKR 64.0
$0.21PKR 58.9
9.52%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Karachi
Pattoki
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.84PKR 232
$0.49PKR 137
71.43%
White Bread(500g)
$0.58PKR 162
$0.37PKR 104
56.76%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.12PKR 310
$0.68PKR 189
64.71%
Eggs
$1.17PKR 325
$0.76PKR 210
53.95%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.28PKR 1,744
$1.44PKR 400
336.11%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.18PKR 884
$2.58PKR 717
23.26%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.03PKR 1,396
$3.18PKR 883
58.18%
Apples(1kg)
$1.05PKR 291
$0.34PKR 93.3
208.82%
Banana(1kg)
$0.59PKR 165
$0.34PKR 93.9
73.53%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.92PKR 256
$0.58PKR 162
58.62%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.54PKR 149
$0.52PKR 143
3.85%
Potato(1kg)
$0.35PKR 98.2
$0.37PKR 102
-5.41%
Onion(1kg)
$0.47PKR 130
$0.34PKR 94.3
38.24%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.35PKR 97.8
$0.34PKR 93.1
2.94%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.44PKR 121
$0.36PKR 101
22.22%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.29PKR 358
$1.83PKR 507
-29.51%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.27PKR 353
$0.34PKR 93.4
273.53%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05PKR 569
$1.85PKR 513
10.81%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.08PKR 578
$2.01PKR 557
3.48%
🚌 Getting Around
Karachi
Pattoki
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36PKR 100
$0.17PKR 47.55
111.76%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$6.42PKR 1,782
$7.04PKR 1,953
-8.81%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.69PKR 190
$1.05PKR 291
-34.29%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.66PKR 184
$0.53PKR 148
24.53%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.73PKR 480
$1.45PKR 403
19.31%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.92PKR 254
$0.99PKR 275
-7.07%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$16.8KPKR 4.7M
$22.4KPKR 6.2M
-24.83%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.8KPKR 6.9M
$22.5KPKR 6.2M
10.10%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Karachi
Pattoki
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$133PKR 36.8K
$105PKR 29.2K
25.91%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.86PKR 1,349
$4.65PKR 1,291
4.52%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.62PKR 3,779
$13.56PKR 3,763
0.44%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Karachi
Pattoki
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$15.31PKR 4,250
$12.35PKR 3,427
23.97%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.55PKR 4,038
$5.79PKR 1,607
151.30%
Cinema Ticket
$4.11PKR 1,142
$2.68PKR 743
53.36%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Karachi
Pattoki
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$57.5PKR 16.0K
$36.27PKR 10.1K
58.56%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,387PKR 385.0K
$1,751PKR 485.8K
-20.75%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Karachi
Pattoki
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$17.46PKR 4,847
$16.71PKR 4,639
4.49%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.90PKR 7,188
$27.52PKR 7,638
-5.89%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$63.6PKR 17.6K
$69.5PKR 19.3K
-8.49%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$36.40PKR 10.1K
$29.60PKR 8,216
22.97%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Karachi
Pattoki
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$119PKR 33.0K
$75.9PKR 21.1K
56.93%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$75.6PKR 21.0K
$52.3PKR 14.5K
44.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$318PKR 88.2K
$168PKR 46.6K
89.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$185PKR 51.3K
$104PKR 28.9K
77.08%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$912PKR 253.2K
$908PKR 252.1K
0.44%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$442PKR 122.5K
$480PKR 133.3K
-8.05%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Karachi
Pattoki
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$179PKR 49.7K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
17.8
17.43
2.12%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Karachi: July 26, 2026
Last update for Pattoki: July 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $119 in Karachi and $75.9 in Pattoki. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $12.00 in Karachi vs $9.00 in Pattoki for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $97.0 vs $57.0 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 31% in total monthly costs ($483 vs $369 including rent). Pattoki 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 $725 in Karachi and $553 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: $119 in Karachi versus $75.9 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 $483 per month in Karachi versus $369 in Pattoki – a 31% 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 Pattoki runs roughly 10% less than in Karachi. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How far does $1,000 go in Karachi compared to Pattoki?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Pattoki 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 Pattoki gentler on the wallet – expenses run 31% less than in Karachi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.