Cost of Living Comparison Between Lahore and Abbottabad Cost of Living Comparison Between Lahore and Abbottabad

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $484 per month in Lahore vs $307 in Abbottabad, rent included.

A couple spends around $727 per month in Lahore vs $480 in Abbottabad, rent included.

A family of three spends $970 per month in Lahore vs $653 in Abbottabad, rent included.

Lahore costs about 58% more than Abbottabad, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Lahore and Abbottabad are more affordable than the global median – Lahore 64% lower, Abbottabad 77% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.09 PKR 580

$1.73 PKR 480

20.81%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$14.06 PKR 3,903

$12.57 PKR 3,490

11.85%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.35 PKR 1,207

$5.45 PKR 1,514

-20.18%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.75 PKR 765

$1.75 PKR 485

57.14%

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.66 PKR 1,018

$1.72 PKR 478

112.79%

Cappuccino

$2.39 PKR 663

$1.45 PKR 403

64.83%

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

$0.36 PKR 98.7

$0.34 PKR 93.1

5.88%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.21 PKR 58.3

$0.23 PKR 64.0

-8.70%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.94 PKR 260

$0.83 PKR 231

13.25%

White Bread (500g)

$0.57 PKR 158

$0.61 PKR 170

-6.56%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.21 PKR 337

$1.16 PKR 323

4.31%

Eggs

$1.21 PKR 337

$1.20 PKR 332

0.83%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.18 PKR 1,717

$3.64 PKR 1,010

69.78%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.02 PKR 839

$2.24 PKR 623

34.82%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.55 PKR 1,263

$4.56 PKR 1,267

-0.22%

Apples (1kg)

$1.06 PKR 293

$0.84 PKR 233

26.19%

Banana (1kg)

$0.63 PKR 175

$0.79 PKR 221

-20.25%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.61 PKR 169

$0.82 PKR 226

-25.61%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.47 PKR 131

$0.50 PKR 140

-6.00%

Potato (1kg)

$0.36 PKR 98.8

$0.32 PKR 89.7

12.50%

Onion (1kg)

$0.48 PKR 132

$0.52 PKR 145

-7.69%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.47 PKR 131

$0.33 PKR 92.8

42.42%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.35 PKR 98.3

$0.20 PKR 54.8

75.00%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$1.11 PKR 308

$1.92 PKR 532

-42.19%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.51 PKR 143

$0.92 PKR 256

-44.57%

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.10 PKR 306

$2.05 PKR 569

-46.34%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.97 PKR 546

$1.80 PKR 499

9.44%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.18 PKR 51.2

$0.26 PKR 72.7

-30.77%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$6.92 PKR 1,922

$6.89 PKR 1,914

0.44%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.73 PKR 202

$0.85 PKR 236

-14.12%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.49 PKR 137

$0.41 PKR 114

19.51%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.80 PKR 501

$2.75 PKR 762

-34.55%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.96 PKR 266

$0.89 PKR 247

7.87%

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

$17.5K PKR 4.9M

$21.6K PKR 6.0M

-19.07%

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

$23.4K PKR 6.5M

$25.8K PKR 7.2M

-9.22%

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

$141 PKR 39.2K

$44.75 PKR 12.4K

215.49%

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

$5.31 PKR 1,473

$2.99 PKR 831

77.59%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.33 PKR 4,811

$18.53 PKR 5,146

-6.48%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$13.73 PKR 3,813

$17.35 PKR 4,818

-20.86%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.94 PKR 1,649

$3.60 PKR 999

65.00%

Cinema Ticket

$4.29 PKR 1,191

$4.16 PKR 1,156

3.12%

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

$34.60 PKR 9,608

$35.10 PKR 9,747

-1.42%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,253 PKR 347.9K

$540 PKR 149.8K

132.17%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$15.40 PKR 4,276

$8.97 PKR 2,492

71.68%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$23.27 PKR 6,462

$7.17 PKR 1,991

224.55%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$71.8 PKR 19.9K

$88.6 PKR 24.6K

-18.87%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$30.56 PKR 8,486

$12.54 PKR 3,481

143.70%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$120 PKR 33.3K

$35.82 PKR 9,946

234.87%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$75.9 PKR 21.1K

$21.00 PKR 5,832

261.48%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$291 PKR 80.9K

$169 PKR 46.8K

72.70%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$188 PKR 52.2K

$42.10 PKR 11.7K

346.89%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$844 PKR 234.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$590 PKR 163.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$185 PKR 51.5K

$229 PKR 63.6K

-19.15%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

19.88

20.2

-1.58%

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

Last update for Lahore: July 12, 2026

Last update for Abbottabad: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $120 in Lahore versus $35.82 in Abbottabad. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 24% higher in Abbottabad, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $14.00 in Lahore versus $13.00 in Abbottabad. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $94.0 vs $80.0 – making Abbottabad the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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

Lahore vs Abbottabad: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Lahore costs about 58% more than Abbottabad, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $726 per month in Lahore and $461 in Abbottabad. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Abbottabad, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Public transport costs about 0% less in Abbottabad. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

Kindergarten costs $34.60 per month in Lahore and $35.10 in Abbottabad. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $484 in Lahore and $307 in Abbottabad, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

Families tend to lean toward Abbottabad – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Abbottabad. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Lahore makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.