🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $410 in Mandi Bahauddin versus $475 in Karachi.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $609 in Mandi Bahauddin versus $735 in Karachi.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $808 in Mandi Bahauddin versus $995 in Karachi.
🌍Living in Mandi Bahauddin costs roughly 14% less than in Karachi, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Mandi Bahauddin70% lower, Karachi66% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mandi Bahauddin
Karachi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.81PKR 502
$2.11PKR 584
-14.22%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$8.98PKR 2,489
$14.17PKR 3,924
-36.63%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.30PKR 1,192
$5.56PKR 1,540
-22.66%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.48PKR 687
$2.13PKR 591
16.43%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.21PKR 611
$7.18PKR 1,988
-69.22%
Cappuccino
$1.05PKR 291
$2.29PKR 633
-54.15%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.41PKR 114
$0.38PKR 106
7.89%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.24PKR 66.2
$0.24PKR 66.0
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mandi Bahauddin
Karachi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.70PKR 195
$0.85PKR 237
-17.65%
White Bread(500g)
$0.41PKR 113
$0.57PKR 157
-28.07%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.21PKR 336
$1.22PKR 337
-0.82%
Eggs
$1.20PKR 332
$1.22PKR 339
-1.64%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.81PKR 2,440
$6.08PKR 1,684
44.90%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.60PKR 721
$3.14PKR 870
-17.20%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$3.88PKR 1,076
$6.25PKR 1,732
-37.92%
Apples(1kg)
$1.09PKR 302
$1.22PKR 339
-10.66%
Banana(1kg)
$0.66PKR 182
$0.59PKR 163
11.86%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.57PKR 159
$0.99PKR 274
-42.42%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.48PKR 133
$0.56PKR 154
-14.29%
Potato(1kg)
$0.31PKR 86.8
$0.35PKR 95.7
-11.43%
Onion(1kg)
$0.49PKR 135
$0.33PKR 91.5
48.48%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.50PKR 138
$0.36PKR 101
38.89%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40PKR 110
$0.40PKR 111
-
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$0.52PKR 144
$1.29PKR 357
-59.69%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.56PKR 155
$1.33PKR 367
-57.89%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.69PKR 191
$2.50PKR 692
-72.40%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.39PKR 663
$1.79PKR 496
33.52%
🚌 Getting Around
Mandi Bahauddin
Karachi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.20PKR 55.0
$0.30PKR 83.7
-33.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.12PKR 2,803
$7.95PKR 2,201
27.30%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.05PKR 291
$0.70PKR 195
50.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.09PKR 302
$0.73PKR 203
49.32%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.88PKR 797
$2.12PKR 587
35.85%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.10PKR 305
$1.34PKR 371
-17.91%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.9KPKR 6.6M
$18.0KPKR 5.0M
32.64%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.9KPKR 6.3M
$27.2KPKR 7.5M
-16.03%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mandi Bahauddin
Karachi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$67.8PKR 18.8K
$110PKR 30.5K
-38.38%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.45PKR 1,509
$5.71PKR 1,582
-4.55%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.55PKR 4,031
$13.12PKR 3,634
10.90%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mandi Bahauddin
Karachi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$14.84PKR 4,112
$21.28PKR 5,896
-30.26%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.76PKR 5,198
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.01PKR 1,941
$4.20PKR 1,164
66.90%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mandi Bahauddin
Karachi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$26.27PKR 7,278
$50.3PKR 13.9K
-47.80%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,051PKR 568.1K
$1,589PKR 440.2K
29.04%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mandi Bahauddin
Karachi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$18.61PKR 5,156
$15.49PKR 4,290
20.14%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$26.02PKR 7,209
$22.03PKR 6,104
18.11%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$54.5PKR 15.1K
$67.7PKR 18.7K
-19.54%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$30.01PKR 8,313
$38.00PKR 10.5K
-21.03%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mandi Bahauddin
Karachi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$127PKR 35.3K
$108PKR 29.8K
18.53%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$77.7PKR 21.5K
$71.6PKR 19.8K
8.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$257PKR 71.1K
$323PKR 89.4K
-20.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$147PKR 40.6K
$184PKR 51.0K
-20.23%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$906PKR 251.0K
$1,036PKR 287.0K
-12.54%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$512PKR 142.0K
$470PKR 130.2K
9.06%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mandi Bahauddin
Karachi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$182PKR 50.4K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.83
12.88
-8.15%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mandi Bahauddin: September 6, 2026
Last update for Karachi: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $127 in Mandi Bahauddin and $108 in Karachi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $9.00 in Mandi Bahauddin vs $14.00 in Karachi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $95.0 vs $101 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 in Karachi?
Mandi Bahauddin and Karachi differ by about 16% in total monthly costs ($410 vs $475 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 $615 in Mandi Bahauddin and $713 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 in Karachi?
Rent for a central apartment: $127 in Mandi Bahauddin versus $108 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 $410 per month in Mandi Bahauddin versus $475 in Karachi – a 16% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Mandi Bahauddin and in Karachi?
A monthly transit pass in Mandi Bahauddin runs roughly 27% 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 compared to 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 16% 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