🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $332 in Mandi Bahauddin versus $476 in Karachi.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $512 in Mandi Bahauddin versus $732 in Karachi.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $692 in Mandi Bahauddin versus $988 in Karachi.
🙂Living in Mandi Bahauddin costs roughly 30% 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
$1.78PKR 497
$2.11PKR 588
-15.64%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$8.58PKR 2,396
$12.18PKR 3,400
-29.56%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.52PKR 983
$4.21PKR 1,176
-16.39%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.77PKR 773
$1.92PKR 537
44.27%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.81PKR 1,342
$5.37PKR 1,498
-10.43%
Cappuccino
$1.08PKR 301
$1.81PKR 504
-40.33%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33PKR 93.4
$0.34PKR 94.3
-2.94%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.24PKR 67.2
$0.21PKR 58.5
14.29%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mandi Bahauddin
Karachi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.74PKR 208
$0.84PKR 235
-11.90%
White Bread(500g)
$0.40PKR 112
$0.54PKR 152
-25.93%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.31PKR 366
$1.13PKR 316
15.93%
Eggs
$1.19PKR 333
$1.16PKR 324
2.59%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.13PKR 1,710
$6.36PKR 1,774
-3.62%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.66PKR 743
$3.18PKR 889
-16.35%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$3.22PKR 898
$5.13PKR 1,431
-37.23%
Apples(1kg)
$1.03PKR 288
$1.05PKR 293
-1.90%
Banana(1kg)
$0.55PKR 153
$0.58PKR 163
-5.17%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.62PKR 174
$0.94PKR 261
-34.04%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.56PKR 158
$0.56PKR 157
-
Potato(1kg)
$0.34PKR 96.3
$0.39PKR 108
-12.82%
Onion(1kg)
$0.51PKR 144
$0.47PKR 131
8.51%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.59PKR 164
$0.36PKR 99.8
63.89%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40PKR 111
$0.43PKR 121
-6.98%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.42PKR 396
$1.41PKR 393
0.71%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.72PKR 201
$1.30PKR 363
-44.62%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.98PKR 553
$2.05PKR 572
-3.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.89PKR 529
$2.18PKR 609
-13.30%
🚌 Getting Around
Mandi Bahauddin
Karachi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.20PKR 55.8
$0.36PKR 102
-44.44%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$6.90PKR 1,925
$6.54PKR 1,825
5.50%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.04PKR 290
$0.74PKR 207
40.54%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.49PKR 136
$0.62PKR 174
-20.97%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.76PKR 490
$1.76PKR 491
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.96PKR 269
$0.94PKR 264
2.13%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.3KPKR 6.2M
$16.3KPKR 4.6M
36.68%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.3KPKR 5.9M
$25.0KPKR 7.0M
-14.74%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mandi Bahauddin
Karachi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$57.5PKR 16.0K
$137PKR 38.3K
-58.14%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.88PKR 1,082
$4.99PKR 1,392
-22.24%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$12.68PKR 3,540
$13.58PKR 3,792
-6.63%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mandi Bahauddin
Karachi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$12.29PKR 3,430
$15.81PKR 4,413
-22.26%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.07PKR 1,694
$14.27PKR 3,983
-57.46%
Cinema Ticket
$3.50PKR 978
$4.29PKR 1,197
-18.41%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mandi Bahauddin
Karachi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$28.27PKR 7,890
$58.8PKR 16.4K
-51.92%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,140PKR 318.1K
$1,373PKR 383.3K
-17.01%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mandi Bahauddin
Karachi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$16.53PKR 4,613
$17.85PKR 4,982
-7.39%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$21.66PKR 6,046
$25.82PKR 7,206
-16.11%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$60.0PKR 16.7K
$64.9PKR 18.1K
-7.64%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$25.71PKR 7,177
$36.34PKR 10.1K
-29.25%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mandi Bahauddin
Karachi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$76.1PKR 21.2K
$120PKR 33.6K
-36.87%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$51.7PKR 14.4K
$75.1PKR 21.0K
-31.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$165PKR 46.2K
$321PKR 89.6K
-48.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$107PKR 29.9K
$183PKR 50.9K
-41.39%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$893PKR 249.2K
$751PKR 209.5K
18.96%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$524PKR 146.2K
$465PKR 129.9K
12.57%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mandi Bahauddin
Karachi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$167PKR 46.6K
-
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: April 28, 2026
Last update for Karachi: April 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $76.1 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 $97.0 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 43% in total monthly costs ($332 vs $476 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 $498 in Mandi Bahauddin and $714 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: $76.1 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 $332 per month in Mandi Bahauddin versus $476 in Karachi – a 43% 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 43% 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