Cost of Living Comparison Between Mehar and KarachiCost of Living Comparison Between Mehar and Karachi
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $391 in Mehar versus $481 in Karachi.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $589 in Mehar versus $735 in Karachi.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $786 in Mehar versus $989 in Karachi.
🌍Living in Mehar costs roughly 19% less than in Karachi, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Mehar71% lower, Karachi64% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mehar
Karachi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.81PKR 502
$2.08PKR 577
-12.98%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.63PKR 2,953
$12.33PKR 3,424
-13.79%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.01PKR 1,114
$4.17PKR 1,159
-3.84%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74PKR 483
$2.00PKR 555
-13.00%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.49PKR 969
$5.24PKR 1,456
-33.40%
Cappuccino
$1.43PKR 397
$1.87PKR 519
-23.53%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31PKR 87.1
$0.37PKR 102
-16.22%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23PKR 63.9
$0.21PKR 58.2
9.52%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mehar
Karachi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.75PKR 209
$0.81PKR 224
-7.41%
White Bread(500g)
$0.60PKR 168
$0.54PKR 151
11.11%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.21PKR 335
$1.12PKR 312
8.04%
Eggs
$1.13PKR 313
$1.22PKR 340
-7.38%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.90PKR 1,639
$6.40PKR 1,776
-7.81%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.59PKR 718
$3.25PKR 904
-20.31%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$3.63PKR 1,009
$5.06PKR 1,403
-28.26%
Apples(1kg)
$1.01PKR 280
$1.03PKR 287
-1.94%
Banana(1kg)
$0.64PKR 179
$0.59PKR 163
8.47%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.63PKR 174
$0.87PKR 242
-27.59%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.52PKR 145
$0.56PKR 156
-7.14%
Potato(1kg)
$0.34PKR 95.0
$0.39PKR 108
-12.82%
Onion(1kg)
$0.51PKR 141
$0.50PKR 139
2.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.34PKR 93.2
$0.36PKR 99.1
-5.56%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.37PKR 102
$0.44PKR 122
-15.91%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.33PKR 369
$1.25PKR 346
6.40%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.87PKR 241
$1.28PKR 354
-32.03%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.04PKR 567
$2.16PKR 599
-5.56%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.92PKR 534
$2.13PKR 592
-9.86%
🚌 Getting Around
Mehar
Karachi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.19PKR 53.0
$0.34PKR 94.2
-44.12%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$7.05PKR 1,957
$6.21PKR 1,725
13.53%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.92PKR 254
$0.70PKR 193
31.43%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.40PKR 111
$0.67PKR 187
-40.30%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.73PKR 479
$1.82PKR 505
-4.95%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.90PKR 249
$0.87PKR 242
3.45%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.1KPKR 5.9M
$16.6KPKR 4.6M
26.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.7KPKR 6.3M
$25.1KPKR 7.0M
-9.54%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mehar
Karachi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$103PKR 28.5K
$132PKR 36.7K
-22.30%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.94PKR 1,095
$5.02PKR 1,394
-21.51%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.98PKR 3,882
$13.36PKR 3,708
4.64%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mehar
Karachi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$12.18PKR 3,381
$15.80PKR 4,386
-22.91%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.88PKR 1,633
$14.58PKR 4,048
-59.67%
Cinema Ticket
$3.44PKR 956
$4.29PKR 1,190
-19.81%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mehar
Karachi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$29.49PKR 8,186
$57.6PKR 16.0K
-48.77%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,128PKR 313.2K
$1,373PKR 381.2K
-17.84%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mehar
Karachi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$15.46PKR 4,293
$17.75PKR 4,928
-12.90%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$22.26PKR 6,180
$25.14PKR 6,980
-11.46%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$70.4PKR 19.5K
$65.0PKR 18.1K
8.19%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$29.10PKR 8,080
$35.37PKR 9,819
-17.73%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mehar
Karachi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$75.2PKR 20.9K
$122PKR 33.9K
-38.43%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$51.4PKR 14.3K
$74.2PKR 20.6K
-30.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$165PKR 45.9K
$313PKR 87.0K
-47.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$104PKR 28.9K
$179PKR 49.7K
-41.77%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$787PKR 218.5K
$918PKR 254.8K
-14.27%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$434PKR 120.6K
$443PKR 122.9K
-1.90%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mehar
Karachi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$109PKR 30.3K
$178PKR 49.5K
-38.84%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
19
17.8
6.74%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mehar: July 22, 2026
Last update for Karachi: July 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $75.2 in Mehar and $122 in Karachi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Karachi pays 63% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $11.00 in Mehar 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 Mehar 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
Mehar vs Karachi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mehar and in Karachi?
Mehar and Karachi differ by about 23% in total monthly costs ($391 vs $481 including rent). Mehar is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 63% lower in Karachi. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Mehar and in Karachi?
Rent for a central apartment: $75.2 in Mehar versus $122 in Karachi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Mehar or Karachi?
All in, you'll spend $391 per month in Mehar versus $481 in Karachi – a 23% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Mehar and in Karachi?
A monthly transit pass in Mehar runs roughly 14% 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 Mehar compared to Karachi?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Mehar 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 Mehar 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.
Where should expats move: Mehar or Karachi?
Expats usually find Mehar gentler on the wallet – expenses run 23% less than in Karachi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.