Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Lahore and Isfahan

For one person, living is cheaper in Isfahan: $470 a month against $516 in Lahore, rent and utilities included – about $550 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Lahore
🇵🇰 Pakistan
$516
/mo nomad
Isfahan
🇮🇷 Iran
$470
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Lahore and in Isfahan

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Lahore and in Isfahan actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $516 per month in Lahore vs $470 in Isfahan, rent included.

  • Lahore $516
  • Isfahan $470

A couple spends around $785 per month in Lahore vs $802 in Isfahan, rent included.

  • Lahore $785
  • Isfahan $802

A family of three spends $1,054 per month in Lahore vs $1,134 in Isfahan, rent included.

  • Lahore $1,054
  • Isfahan $1,134

Lahore costs about 10% more than Isfahan, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Lahore and Isfahan are more affordable than the global median – Lahore 62% lower, Isfahan 65% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Lahore
Isfahan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.55 PKR 705
$3.07 $3.07
-16.94%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.61 PKR 4,043
$12.72 $12.72
14.86%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.75 PKR 1,590
$3.01 $3.01
91.03%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.50 PKR 970
$0.76 $0.76
360.53%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.29 PKR 1,465
$2.04 $2.04
159.31%
Cappuccino
$2.66 PKR 736
$1.01 $1.01
163.37%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.41 PKR 114
$0.49 $0.49
-16.33%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.25 PKR 69.4
$0.48 $0.48
-47.92%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Lahore
Isfahan
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.97 PKR 269
$0.48 $0.48
102.08%
White Bread (500g)
$0.73 PKR 202
$0.46 $0.46
58.70%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.20 PKR 332
$1.97 $1.97
-39.09%
Eggs
$1.15 PKR 318
$1.51 $1.51
-23.84%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.16 PKR 1,705
$2.76 $2.76
123.19%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.63 PKR 727
$2.42 $2.42
8.68%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.98 PKR 1,378
$10.57 $10.57
-52.89%
Apples (1kg)
$1.18 PKR 328
$0.76 $0.76
55.26%
Banana (1kg)
$0.64 PKR 177
$1.28 $1.28
-50.00%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.84 PKR 232
$1.05 $1.05
-20.00%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.64 PKR 177
$0.61 $0.61
4.92%
Potato (1kg)
$0.32 PKR 88.7
$0.61 $0.61
-47.54%
Onion (1kg)
$0.36 PKR 101
$0.49 $0.49
-26.53%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.48 PKR 132
$0.59 $0.59
-18.64%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.35 PKR 96.6
$0.21 $0.21
66.67%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$1.05 PKR 291
$0.52 $0.52
101.92%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.64 PKR 177
$0.51 $0.51
25.49%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67 PKR 462
$0.83 $0.83
101.20%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.14 PKR 592
$2.07 $2.07
3.38%
🚌 Getting Around
Lahore
Isfahan
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.18 PKR 48.50
$0.29 $0.29
-37.93%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$5.38 PKR 1,490
$12.52 $12.52
-57.03%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.93 PKR 257
$0.51 $0.51
82.35%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.70 PKR 193
$0.31 $0.31
125.81%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.84 PKR 510
$2.04 $2.04
-9.80%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.35 PKR 374
$0.92 $0.92
46.74%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.2K PKR 5.0M
$67.9K $67.9K
-73.17%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.2K PKR 7.0M
$58.5K $58.5K
-57.00%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lahore
Isfahan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$129 PKR 35.6K
$10.26 $10.26
1154.58%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.47 PKR 1,514
$1.99 $1.99
174.87%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.58 PKR 4,590
$7.48 $7.48
121.66%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Lahore
Isfahan
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$22.55 PKR 6,240
$13.64 $13.64
65.32%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.92 PKR 3,022
$13.19 $13.19
-17.21%
Cinema Ticket
$4.20 PKR 1,163
$1.02 $1.02
311.76%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Lahore
Isfahan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$48.64 PKR 13.5K
$72.2 $72.2
-32.61%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,013 PKR 557.0K
$533 $533
277.56%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Lahore
Isfahan
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$17.94 PKR 4,964
$18.62 $18.62
-3.65%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.60 PKR 7,638
$23.77 $23.77
16.11%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$74.4 PKR 20.6K
$86.2 $86.2
-13.67%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$33.12 PKR 9,167
$37.85 $37.85
-12.50%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Lahore
Isfahan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$167 PKR 46.2K
$289 $289
-42.15%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$86.0 PKR 23.8K
$192 $192
-55.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$354 PKR 98.0K
$1,311 $1,311
-73.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$201 PKR 55.5K
$454 $454
-55.82%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$800 PKR 221.3K
$1,176 $1,176
-31.99%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$606 PKR 167.6K
$736 $736
-17.70%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Lahore
Isfahan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$201 PKR 55.6K
$203 $203
-1.14%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
14.05
26.8
-47.57%

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

Last update for Lahore: October 11, 2026

Last update for Isfahan: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lahore
$151
Isfahan
$20 86.9% $131
Groceries & Markets
Lahore
$97
Isfahan
$102 4.9% $4.7
Accommodation & Living
Lahore
$86
Isfahan
$192 124% $106
Eating Out
Lahore
$72
Isfahan
$50 31.4% $23
Clothing & Footwear
Lahore
$69
Isfahan
$75 8.7% $6
Sport & Entertainment
Lahore
$31
Isfahan
$16 49.3% $15
Getting Around
Lahore
$11
Isfahan
$16 50.1% $5.3

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $167 in Lahore versus $289 in Isfahan. 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 1% higher in Isfahan, 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 $13.00 in Isfahan. Groceries tell a different story – $97.0 in Lahore vs $102 in Isfahan – so Lahore wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇵🇰 Lahore
🇮🇷 Isfahan
🕒 Local time
10:41 10:41 AM
09:11 9:11 AM
1 h 30 min behind Lahore
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
11,126,285
1,961,260
💱 Currency
USD USD
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to PKR – Pakistani Rupee Converter

Pakistani Rupee exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 277 PKR (1,000 PKR = 3.61 USD). 1 EUR = 311 PKR (1,000 PKR = 3.21 EUR).

USD exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Lahore Isfahan 2,130 km ≈ 3 h 15 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Lahore
  • Isfahan

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Isfahan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Lahore or Isfahan?
Lahore costs about 10% more than Isfahan, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from eating out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Lahore and in Isfahan?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $775 per month in Lahore and $705 in Isfahan. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Lahore or Isfahan?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Isfahan, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Lahore and in Isfahan?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $15.00 in Lahore and $13.00 in Isfahan. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Lahore compared to Isfahan?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $516 in Lahore and $470 in Isfahan. That's a gap of about 10%.
Can you live on $800/month in Lahore or in Isfahan?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $516 in Lahore and $470 in Isfahan, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Isfahan – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Lahore compared to Isfahan?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Lahore or to Isfahan?
If budget matters most, go with Isfahan. 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.

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