😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $476 in Karachi versus $369 in Pattoki.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $732 in Karachi versus $552 in Pattoki.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $988 in Karachi versus $734 in Pattoki.
😐Living in Karachi is roughly 29% more expensive than 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
$2.11PKR 587
$2.16PKR 604
-2.31%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.18PKR 3,396
$8.96PKR 2,497
35.94%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.21PKR 1,174
$5.45PKR 1,520
-22.75%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.92PKR 536
$1.80PKR 503
6.67%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.37PKR 1,496
$3.16PKR 881
69.94%
Cappuccino
$1.81PKR 504
$1.41PKR 393
28.37%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.34PKR 94.2
$0.30PKR 84.6
13.33%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21PKR 58.4
$0.16PKR 45.33
31.25%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Karachi
Pattoki
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.84PKR 235
$0.46PKR 129
82.61%
White Bread(500g)
$0.54PKR 152
$0.38PKR 106
42.11%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.13PKR 315
$0.68PKR 191
66.18%
Eggs
$1.16PKR 324
$0.72PKR 201
61.11%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.36PKR 1,772
$1.44PKR 402
341.67%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.18PKR 887
$2.47PKR 687
28.74%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.13PKR 1,429
$3.17PKR 884
61.83%
Apples(1kg)
$1.05PKR 292
$0.34PKR 93.7
208.82%
Banana(1kg)
$0.58PKR 163
$0.36PKR 101
61.11%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.94PKR 261
$0.54PKR 151
74.07%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.56PKR 157
$0.48PKR 133
16.67%
Potato(1kg)
$0.39PKR 108
$0.34PKR 93.9
14.71%
Onion(1kg)
$0.47PKR 131
$0.36PKR 101
30.56%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.36PKR 99.7
$0.36PKR 101
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.43PKR 121
$0.37PKR 102
16.22%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.41PKR 392
$1.39PKR 387
1.44%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.30PKR 363
$0.36PKR 101
261.11%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05PKR 571
$1.93PKR 539
6.22%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.18PKR 608
$1.92PKR 536
13.54%
🚌 Getting Around
Karachi
Pattoki
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36PKR 102
$0.19PKR 52.0
89.47%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$6.54PKR 1,823
$7.20PKR 2,006
-9.17%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.74PKR 206
$1.07PKR 299
-30.84%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.62PKR 174
$0.52PKR 146
19.23%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.76PKR 490
$1.39PKR 387
26.62%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94PKR 263
$0.98PKR 274
-4.08%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$16.3KPKR 4.6M
$22.6KPKR 6.3M
-27.53%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.0KPKR 7.0M
$22.1KPKR 6.2M
13.13%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Karachi
Pattoki
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$137PKR 38.3K
$105PKR 29.3K
30.56%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.99PKR 1,390
$4.76PKR 1,328
4.83%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.58PKR 3,787
$13.72PKR 3,823
-1.02%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Karachi
Pattoki
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$15.81PKR 4,408
$12.42PKR 3,464
27.29%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.27PKR 3,978
$5.77PKR 1,610
147.31%
Cinema Ticket
$4.29PKR 1,195
$2.58PKR 718
66.28%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Karachi
Pattoki
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$58.8PKR 16.4K
$36.97PKR 10.3K
59.05%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,373PKR 382.8K
$1,738PKR 484.4K
-20.98%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Karachi
Pattoki
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$17.85PKR 4,976
$16.44PKR 4,582
8.58%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.82PKR 7,197
$27.81PKR 7,752
-7.16%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$64.9PKR 18.1K
$69.3PKR 19.3K
-6.32%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$36.34PKR 10.1K
$29.49PKR 8,222
23.23%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Karachi
Pattoki
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$120PKR 33.6K
$75.5PKR 21.0K
59.62%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$75.1PKR 20.9K
$51.6PKR 14.4K
45.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$321PKR 89.5K
$165PKR 46.1K
94.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$183PKR 50.9K
$107PKR 29.8K
70.58%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$751PKR 209.3K
$874PKR 243.6K
-14.12%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$465PKR 129.7K
$563PKR 157.1K
-17.42%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Karachi
Pattoki
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$167PKR 46.6K
-
-
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: April 28, 2026
Last update for Pattoki: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $120 in Karachi and $75.5 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 $56.0 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 Pattoki?
Karachi and Pattoki differ by about 29% in total monthly costs ($476 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 $714 in Karachi and $554 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 Pattoki?
Rent for a central apartment: $120 in Karachi versus $75.5 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 $476 per month in Karachi versus $369 in Pattoki – a 29% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Karachi and 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 vs 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 29% less than in Karachi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.