🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $334 in Mandi Bahauddin versus $483 in Karachi.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $524 in Mandi Bahauddin versus $723 in Karachi.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $715 in Mandi Bahauddin versus $963 in Karachi.
🙂Living in Mandi Bahauddin costs roughly 31% less than in Karachi, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Mandi Bahauddin75% lower, Karachi64% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mandi Bahauddin
Karachi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.79PKR 497
$2.15PKR 598
-16.74%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$8.63PKR 2,399
$12.44PKR 3,457
-30.63%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.51PKR 975
$4.20PKR 1,167
-16.43%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.79PKR 776
$2.00PKR 556
39.50%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.90PKR 1,363
$5.44PKR 1,512
-9.93%
Cappuccino
$1.03PKR 287
$1.83PKR 508
-43.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31PKR 86.0
$0.34PKR 93.4
-8.82%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.22PKR 61.0
$0.23PKR 64.2
-4.35%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mandi Bahauddin
Karachi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.73PKR 202
$0.81PKR 224
-9.88%
White Bread(500g)
$0.43PKR 121
$0.55PKR 152
-21.82%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.31PKR 365
$1.14PKR 317
14.91%
Eggs
$1.16PKR 322
$1.16PKR 322
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.09PKR 1,693
$6.64PKR 1,847
-8.28%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.58PKR 716
$3.28PKR 912
-21.34%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$3.18PKR 884
$5.18PKR 1,440
-38.61%
Apples(1kg)
$1.04PKR 288
$1.03PKR 287
0.97%
Banana(1kg)
$0.58PKR 162
$0.59PKR 165
-1.69%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.65PKR 182
$0.88PKR 245
-26.14%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.57PKR 157
$0.52PKR 146
9.62%
Potato(1kg)
$0.35PKR 96.2
$0.36PKR 99.7
-2.78%
Onion(1kg)
$0.51PKR 142
$0.47PKR 132
8.51%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.63PKR 176
$0.38PKR 106
65.79%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40PKR 110
$0.40PKR 112
-
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$0.94PKR 262
$1.30PKR 360
-27.69%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.73PKR 204
$1.27PKR 354
-42.52%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.04PKR 566
$2.14PKR 596
-4.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.89PKR 525
$2.06PKR 573
-8.25%
🚌 Getting Around
Mandi Bahauddin
Karachi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.19PKR 52.4
$0.36PKR 101
-47.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$6.91PKR 1,922
$6.49PKR 1,803
6.47%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.04PKR 289
$0.74PKR 207
40.54%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.49PKR 137
$0.67PKR 186
-26.87%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.81PKR 503
$1.78PKR 495
1.69%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99PKR 276
$0.87PKR 242
13.79%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.7KPKR 6.0M
$16.5KPKR 4.6M
31.79%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.9KPKR 5.8M
$24.6KPKR 6.8M
-14.95%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mandi Bahauddin
Karachi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$58.5PKR 16.3K
$135PKR 37.6K
-56.70%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.86PKR 1,074
$4.93PKR 1,371
-21.70%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.08PKR 3,636
$13.36PKR 3,713
-2.10%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mandi Bahauddin
Karachi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$12.43PKR 3,457
$15.63PKR 4,345
-20.47%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.08PKR 1,691
$14.40PKR 4,003
-57.78%
Cinema Ticket
$3.60PKR 1,000
$4.35PKR 1,209
-17.24%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mandi Bahauddin
Karachi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$28.03PKR 7,794
$58.0PKR 16.1K
-51.69%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,143PKR 317.8K
$1,354PKR 376.4K
-15.59%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mandi Bahauddin
Karachi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$16.32PKR 4,537
$17.69PKR 4,918
-7.74%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$22.18PKR 6,167
$25.06PKR 6,968
-11.49%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$59.1PKR 16.4K
$64.6PKR 18.0K
-8.49%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$26.09PKR 7,254
$36.14PKR 10.0K
-27.81%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mandi Bahauddin
Karachi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$73.9PKR 20.5K
$120PKR 33.5K
-38.64%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$51.9PKR 14.4K
$75.3PKR 20.9K
-31.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$167PKR 46.4K
$318PKR 88.5K
-47.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$108PKR 30.0K
$179PKR 49.8K
-39.86%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$923PKR 256.7K
$998PKR 277.5K
-7.51%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$496PKR 138.0K
$463PKR 128.9K
7.11%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mandi Bahauddin
Karachi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$171PKR 47.5K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
18
17.8
1.12%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mandi Bahauddin: June 8, 2026
Last update for Karachi: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $73.9 in Mandi Bahauddin and $120 in Karachi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $9.00 in Mandi Bahauddin vs $12.00 in Karachi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $86.0 vs $98.0 per month, with Mandi Bahauddin cheaper across the board.
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
Mandi Bahauddin vs Karachi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mandi Bahauddin and Karachi?
Mandi Bahauddin and Karachi differ by about 45% in total monthly costs ($334 vs $483 including rent). Mandi Bahauddin is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Mandi Bahauddin compared to Karachi?
You'd need roughly $501 in Mandi Bahauddin and $725 in Karachi to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Mandi Bahauddin and Karachi?
Rent for a central apartment: $73.9 in Mandi Bahauddin versus $120 in Karachi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Mandi Bahauddin or Karachi?
All in, you'll spend $334 per month in Mandi Bahauddin versus $483 in Karachi – a 45% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Mandi Bahauddin and Karachi?
A monthly transit pass in Mandi Bahauddin runs roughly 6% less than in Karachi. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How far does $800 go in Mandi Bahauddin vs Karachi?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Mandi Bahauddin gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
How does quality of life compare between Mandi Bahauddin and Karachi?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Mandi Bahauddin or Karachi safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Mandi Bahauddin and Karachi are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Mandi Bahauddin or Karachi?
Expats usually find Mandi Bahauddin gentler on the wallet – expenses run 45% less than in Karachi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Mandi Bahauddin vs other spots: cost of living compared