Cost of Living Comparison Between Karachi and Zaqatala Cost of Living Comparison Between Karachi and Zaqatala

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $475 in Karachi versus $356 in Zaqatala.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $735 in Karachi versus $578 in Zaqatala.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $995 in Karachi versus $799 in Zaqatala.

Living in Karachi is roughly 33% more expensive than in Zaqatala, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both cities sit below the global median: Karachi 66% lower, Zaqatala 74% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.11 PKR 584

$4.68 ₼7.96

-54.91%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$14.17 PKR 3,924

$20.63 ₼35.07

-31.31%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.56 PKR 1,540

$5.28 ₼8.97

5.30%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.13 PKR 591

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.18 PKR 1,988

Cappuccino

$2.29 PKR 633

$2.41 ₼4.10

-4.98%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.38 PKR 106

$0.60 ₼1.02

-36.67%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.24 PKR 66.0

$0.51 ₼0.87

-52.94%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.75 ₼2.97

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.02 ₼5.13

Milk (1 liter)

$0.85 PKR 237

$0.97 ₼1.65

-12.37%

White Bread (500g)

$0.57 PKR 157

$0.40 ₼0.68

42.50%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.22 PKR 337

$2.18 ₼3.70

-44.04%

Eggs

$1.22 PKR 339

$1.40 ₼2.38

-12.86%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.08 PKR 1,684

$3.50 ₼5.94

73.71%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.14 PKR 870

$2.33 ₼3.97

34.76%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.25 PKR 1,732

$8.19 ₼13.92

-23.69%

Apples (1kg)

$1.22 PKR 339

$0.79 ₼1.35

54.43%

Banana (1kg)

$0.59 PKR 163

$1.21 ₼2.06

-51.24%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.99 PKR 274

$0.62 ₼1.05

59.68%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.56 PKR 154

$0.68 ₼1.16

-17.65%

Potato (1kg)

$0.35 PKR 95.7

$0.28 ₼0.47

25.00%

Onion (1kg)

$0.33 PKR 91.5

$0.40 ₼0.69

-17.50%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.36 PKR 101

$0.91 ₼1.55

-60.44%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.40 PKR 111

$0.56 ₼0.96

-28.57%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$1.29 PKR 357

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.33 PKR 367

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.50 PKR 692

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.79 PKR 496

$1.78 ₼3.03

0.56%

Wine (Bottle)

$8.86 ₼15.06

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.20 ₼2.04

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.00 ₼3.40

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.30 PKR 83.7

$0.18 ₼0.30

66.67%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$7.95 PKR 2,201

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.70 PKR 195

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.73 PKR 203

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.12 PKR 587

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.34 PKR 371

$0.66 ₼1.13

103.03%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$18.0K PKR 5.0M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$27.2K PKR 7.5M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$110 PKR 30.5K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$5.71 PKR 1,582

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$13.12 PKR 3,634

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$21.28 PKR 5,896

$33.56 ₼57.0

-36.59%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.76 PKR 5,198

Cinema Ticket

$4.20 PKR 1,164

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$50.3 PKR 13.9K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,589 PKR 440.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$15.49 PKR 4,290

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$22.03 PKR 6,104

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$67.7 PKR 18.7K

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$38.00 PKR 10.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$108 PKR 29.8K

$119 ₼202

-9.51%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$71.6 PKR 19.8K

$82.4 ₼140

-13.04%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$323 PKR 89.4K

$239 ₼406

35.16%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$184 PKR 51.0K

$145 ₼247

26.46%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,036 PKR 287.0K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$470 PKR 130.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$182 PKR 50.4K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

12.88

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

Last update for Karachi: September 7, 2026

Last update for Zaqatala: September 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $108 in Karachi and $119 in Zaqatala. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $14.00 in Karachi vs $21.00 in Zaqatala for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $101 vs $132 per month, with Karachi 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 Zaqatala: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Karachi and Zaqatala differ by about 33% in total monthly costs ($475 vs $356 including rent). Zaqatala is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

You'd need roughly $713 in Karachi and $534 in Zaqatala 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.

Rent for a central apartment: $108 in Karachi versus $119 in Zaqatala. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

Dining out is cheaper in Zaqatala – a meal for two runs $21.00 versus $14.00 in Karachi. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.

All in, you'll spend $475 per month in Karachi versus $356 in Zaqatala – a 33% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

Either city works on $800 a month, though Zaqatala gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

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.

Safety-wise, Karachi and Zaqatala are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Zaqatala gentler on the wallet – expenses run 33% less than in Karachi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.