Cost of Living Comparison Between Lahore and Karak Cost of Living Comparison Between Lahore and Karak

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $500 per month in Lahore vs $428 in Karak, rent included.

A couple spends around $765 per month in Lahore vs $625 in Karak, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,030 per month in Lahore vs $822 in Karak, rent included.

Lahore costs about 17% more than Karak, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Lahore and Karak are more affordable than the global median – Lahore 64% lower, Karak 69% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.59 PKR 719

$0.75 PKR 207

245.33%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$14.55 PKR 4,034

$7.31 PKR 2,027

99.04%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.66 PKR 1,569

$5.51 PKR 1,527

2.72%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.56 PKR 988

$0.75 PKR 207

374.67%

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.54 PKR 1,536

$6.78 PKR 1,879

-18.29%

Cappuccino

$2.51 PKR 697

$0.56 PKR 155

348.21%

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

$0.43 PKR 119

$0.36 PKR 98.9

19.44%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.26 PKR 72.7

$0.22 PKR 60.7

18.18%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.85 PKR 237

$0.94 PKR 261

-9.57%

White Bread (500g)

$0.72 PKR 199

$0.57 PKR 157

26.32%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.17 PKR 325

$1.09 PKR 302

7.34%

Eggs

$1.25 PKR 346

$1.11 PKR 308

12.61%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.41 PKR 1,778

$1.77 PKR 490

262.15%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.45 PKR 678

$2.87 PKR 795

-14.63%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.72 PKR 1,310

$4.35 PKR 1,205

8.51%

Apples (1kg)

$1.17 PKR 323

$0.69 PKR 191

69.57%

Banana (1kg)

$0.66 PKR 182

$0.52 PKR 144

26.92%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.85 PKR 235

$0.73 PKR 203

16.44%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.60 PKR 167

$0.48 PKR 134

25.00%

Potato (1kg)

$0.30 PKR 83.9

$0.29 PKR 81.1

3.45%

Onion (1kg)

$0.33 PKR 90.9

$0.32 PKR 89.6

3.13%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.45 PKR 124

$0.16 PKR 43.33

181.25%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.36 PKR 101

$0.26 PKR 72.7

38.46%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$1.09 PKR 303

$1.85 PKR 512

-41.08%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.65 PKR 180

$1.33 PKR 368

-51.13%

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.71 PKR 475

$2.44 PKR 676

-29.92%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.15 PKR 596

$2.30 PKR 638

-6.52%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.18 PKR 49.73

$0.16 PKR 45.06

12.50%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$5.27 PKR 1,461

$8.59 PKR 2,383

-38.65%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.88 PKR 243

$1.28 PKR 355

-31.25%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.69 PKR 192

$0.73 PKR 203

-5.48%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.77 PKR 490

$1.58 PKR 437

12.03%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.26 PKR 350

$1.25 PKR 347

0.80%

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

$18.0K PKR 5.0M

$21.9K PKR 6.1M

-17.77%

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

$26.6K PKR 7.4M

$25.5K PKR 7.1M

4.12%

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

$124 PKR 34.3K

$103 PKR 28.5K

20.05%

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

$5.17 PKR 1,432

$5.81 PKR 1,611

-11.02%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$16.25 PKR 4,507

$16.19 PKR 4,489

0.37%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$19.21 PKR 5,325

$16.60 PKR 4,601

15.72%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.62 PKR 2,944

Cinema Ticket

$4.30 PKR 1,191

$4.78 PKR 1,326

-10.04%

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

$44.27 PKR 12.3K

$75.3 PKR 20.9K

-41.22%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,982 PKR 549.5K

$996 PKR 276.1K

99.06%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$16.83 PKR 4,665

$23.90 PKR 6,626

-29.58%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$25.65 PKR 7,111

$31.81 PKR 8,819

-19.36%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$75.3 PKR 20.9K

$81.8 PKR 22.7K

-7.94%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$29.41 PKR 8,153

$39.51 PKR 11.0K

-25.56%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$151 PKR 42.0K

$130 PKR 35.9K

16.89%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$80.3 PKR 22.3K

$84.3 PKR 23.4K

-4.84%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$317 PKR 87.9K

$285 PKR 79.0K

11.19%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$191 PKR 53.1K

$155 PKR 43.0K

23.31%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$840 PKR 232.9K

$804 PKR 222.9K

4.49%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$594 PKR 164.6K

$585 PKR 162.2K

1.42%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$183 PKR 50.8K

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 Karak: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $151 in Lahore versus $130 in Karak. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $15.00 in Lahore versus $7.00 in Karak. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $95.0 vs $74.0 – making Karak 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 Karak: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Lahore costs about 17% more than Karak, 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 $642 in Karak. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Public transport costs about 63% less in Karak. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

Kindergarten costs $44.27 per month in Lahore and $75.3 in Karak. 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 $500 in Lahore and $428 in Karak, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.

Families tend to lean toward Karak – 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 Karak. 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.