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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $492 per month in Lahore vs $309 in Abbottabad, rent included.

A couple spends around $746 per month in Lahore vs $484 in Abbottabad, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,001 per month in Lahore vs $659 in Abbottabad, rent included.

Lahore costs about 59% more than Abbottabad, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Lahore and Abbottabad are more affordable than the global median – Lahore 63% lower, Abbottabad 77% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.09 PKR 582

$1.72 PKR 478

21.51%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$14.24 PKR 3,961

$12.16 PKR 3,384

17.11%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.27 PKR 1,189

$5.28 PKR 1,469

-19.13%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.78 PKR 774

$1.80 PKR 500

54.44%

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.62 PKR 1,007

$1.72 PKR 479

110.47%

Cappuccino

$2.34 PKR 651

$1.44 PKR 400

62.50%

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

$0.36 PKR 99.3

$0.31 PKR 85.1

16.13%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.23 PKR 64.0

$0.21 PKR 58.3

9.52%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.89 PKR 247

$0.77 PKR 216

15.58%

White Bread (500g)

$0.57 PKR 157

$0.66 PKR 183

-13.64%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.17 PKR 324

$1.15 PKR 320

1.74%

Eggs

$1.20 PKR 335

$1.20 PKR 333

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.11 PKR 1,700

$3.61 PKR 1,004

69.25%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.05 PKR 849

$2.26 PKR 628

34.96%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.44 PKR 1,234

$4.56 PKR 1,269

-2.63%

Apples (1kg)

$1.02 PKR 283

$0.92 PKR 256

10.87%

Banana (1kg)

$0.60 PKR 166

$0.79 PKR 219

-24.05%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.60 PKR 168

$0.84 PKR 232

-28.57%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.48 PKR 133

$0.53 PKR 148

-9.43%

Potato (1kg)

$0.32 PKR 90.2

$0.30 PKR 82.5

6.67%

Onion (1kg)

$0.48 PKR 133

$0.48 PKR 134

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.44 PKR 123

$0.31 PKR 85.2

41.94%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.38 PKR 106

$0.16 PKR 45.67

137.50%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$0.93 PKR 258

$1.98 PKR 550

-53.03%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.55 PKR 152

$0.87 PKR 241

-36.78%

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.11 PKR 309

$2.03 PKR 566

-45.32%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$1.99 PKR 555

$1.82 PKR 506

9.34%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.19 PKR 52.7

$0.24 PKR 66.3

-20.83%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$6.98 PKR 1,941

$7.11 PKR 1,978

-1.83%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.70 PKR 194

$0.90 PKR 251

-22.22%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.49 PKR 138

$0.43 PKR 121

13.95%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.78 PKR 496

$2.75 PKR 766

-35.27%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.91 PKR 253

$0.95 PKR 264

-4.21%

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

$17.4K PKR 4.8M

$21.1K PKR 5.9M

-17.76%

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

$23.8K PKR 6.6M

$25.9K PKR 7.2M

-8.07%

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

$138 PKR 38.3K

$43.84 PKR 12.2K

214.07%

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

$5.59 PKR 1,554

$3.07 PKR 855

82.08%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$17.01 PKR 4,733

$18.44 PKR 5,129

-7.75%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$13.75 PKR 3,824

$17.48 PKR 4,864

-21.34%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.73 PKR 1,595

$3.52 PKR 979

62.78%

Cinema Ticket

$4.34 PKR 1,206

$4.30 PKR 1,196

0.93%

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

$35.47 PKR 9,869

$35.21 PKR 9,796

0.74%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,238 PKR 344.3K

$524 PKR 145.7K

136.25%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$14.98 PKR 4,168

$9.10 PKR 2,531

64.62%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$22.69 PKR 6,311

$6.98 PKR 1,943

225.07%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$72.6 PKR 20.2K

$87.5 PKR 24.3K

-17.05%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$29.85 PKR 8,304

$12.54 PKR 3,488

138.04%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$118 PKR 32.9K

$35.28 PKR 9,815

234.92%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$76.7 PKR 21.3K

$21.23 PKR 5,906

261.19%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$286 PKR 79.6K

$169 PKR 47.1K

68.84%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$188 PKR 52.2K

$42.22 PKR 11.7K

344.17%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$843 PKR 234.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$615 PKR 171.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$184 PKR 51.3K

$236 PKR 65.6K

-21.80%

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: May 31, 2026

Last update for Abbottabad: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $118 in Lahore versus $35.28 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 28% 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 $12.00 in Abbottabad. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $93.0 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 59% 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 $738 per month in Lahore and $463 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 2% less in Abbottabad. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

Kindergarten costs $35.47 per month in Lahore and $35.21 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 $492 in Lahore and $309 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.