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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $500 per month in Lahore vs $300 in Abbottabad, rent included.

A couple spends around $765 per month in Lahore vs $475 in Abbottabad, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,030 per month in Lahore vs $650 in Abbottabad, rent included.

Lahore costs about 67% more than Abbottabad, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Lahore and Abbottabad are more affordable than the global median – Lahore 64% lower, Abbottabad 78% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.59 PKR 719

$1.78 PKR 494

45.51%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$14.55 PKR 4,034

$10.64 PKR 2,951

36.75%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.66 PKR 1,569

$5.33 PKR 1,479

6.19%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.56 PKR 988

$3.60 PKR 997

-1.11%

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.54 PKR 1,536

$1.75 PKR 485

216.57%

Cappuccino

$2.51 PKR 697

$1.22 PKR 339

105.74%

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

$0.43 PKR 119

$0.32 PKR 90.0

34.37%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.26 PKR 72.7

$0.22 PKR 60.9

18.18%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.85 PKR 237

$0.85 PKR 234

White Bread (500g)

$0.72 PKR 199

$0.73 PKR 202

-1.37%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.17 PKR 325

$1.22 PKR 338

-4.10%

Eggs

$1.25 PKR 346

$1.24 PKR 345

0.81%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.41 PKR 1,778

$3.51 PKR 973

82.62%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.45 PKR 678

$2.39 PKR 662

2.51%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.72 PKR 1,310

$5.25 PKR 1,456

-10.10%

Apples (1kg)

$1.17 PKR 323

$1.10 PKR 304

6.36%

Banana (1kg)

$0.66 PKR 182

$0.84 PKR 232

-21.43%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.85 PKR 235

$0.86 PKR 239

-1.16%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.60 PKR 167

$0.43 PKR 119

39.53%

Potato (1kg)

$0.30 PKR 83.9

$0.26 PKR 72.2

15.38%

Onion (1kg)

$0.33 PKR 90.9

$0.33 PKR 90.8

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.45 PKR 124

$0.27 PKR 73.8

66.67%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.36 PKR 101

$0.30 PKR 82.5

20.00%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$1.09 PKR 303

$2.01 PKR 557

-45.77%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.65 PKR 180

$1.32 PKR 365

-50.76%

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.71 PKR 475

$2.45 PKR 679

-30.20%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.15 PKR 596

$1.67 PKR 464

28.74%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.18 PKR 49.73

$0.26 PKR 72.3

-30.77%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$5.27 PKR 1,461

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.88 PKR 243

$1.29 PKR 356

-31.78%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.69 PKR 192

$0.34 PKR 94.9

102.94%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.77 PKR 490

$1.64 PKR 456

7.93%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.26 PKR 350

$1.14 PKR 316

10.53%

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

$18.0K PKR 5.0M

$21.7K PKR 6.0M

-17.32%

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

$26.6K PKR 7.4M

$25.2K PKR 7.0M

5.66%

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

$124 PKR 34.3K

$54.3 PKR 15.1K

127.66%

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

$5.17 PKR 1,432

$3.62 PKR 1,004

42.82%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$16.25 PKR 4,507

$12.83 PKR 3,557

26.66%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$19.21 PKR 5,325

$13.57 PKR 3,764

41.56%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.62 PKR 2,944

$3.58 PKR 992

196.65%

Cinema Ticket

$4.30 PKR 1,191

$4.97 PKR 1,377

-13.48%

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

$44.27 PKR 12.3K

$27.43 PKR 7,605

61.39%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,982 PKR 549.5K

$539 PKR 149.3K

267.96%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$16.83 PKR 4,665

$8.89 PKR 2,465

89.31%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$25.65 PKR 7,111

$7.38 PKR 2,046

247.56%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$75.3 PKR 20.9K

$83.0 PKR 23.0K

-9.37%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$29.41 PKR 8,153

$10.63 PKR 2,947

176.67%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$151 PKR 42.0K

$35.58 PKR 9,865

325.58%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$80.3 PKR 22.3K

$21.79 PKR 6,041

268.33%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$317 PKR 87.9K

$110 PKR 30.4K

189.09%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$191 PKR 53.1K

$53.9 PKR 14.9K

255.01%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$840 PKR 232.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$594 PKR 164.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$183 PKR 50.8K

$198 PKR 55.0K

-7.47%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

14.22

13.08

8.72%

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

Last update for Lahore: August 29, 2026

Last update for Abbottabad: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $151 in Lahore versus $35.58 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 8% 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 $15.00 in Lahore versus $11.00 in Abbottabad. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $95.0 vs $86.0 – 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 67% more than Abbottabad, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $749 per month in Lahore and $449 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $15.00 in Lahore and $11.00 in Abbottabad. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 10% more in Lahore, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $500 in Lahore and $300 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.