Cost of Living Comparison Between Mehar and LahoreCost of Living Comparison Between Mehar and Lahore
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $390 in Mehar versus $492 in Lahore.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $584 in Mehar versus $746 in Lahore.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $778 in Mehar versus $1,001 in Lahore.
🙂Living in Mehar costs roughly 21% less than in Lahore, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Mehar71% lower, Lahore63% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mehar
Lahore
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.75PKR 488
$2.09PKR 583
-16.27%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.59PKR 2,946
$14.24PKR 3,962
-25.63%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.99PKR 1,110
$4.27PKR 1,189
-6.56%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.74PKR 484
$2.78PKR 774
-37.41%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44PKR 957
$3.62PKR 1,007
-4.97%
Cappuccino
$1.44PKR 402
$2.34PKR 652
-38.46%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35PKR 96.3
$0.36PKR 99.3
-2.78%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23PKR 64.1
$0.23PKR 64.0
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mehar
Lahore
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.78PKR 216
$0.89PKR 247
-12.36%
White Bread(500g)
$0.56PKR 156
$0.57PKR 157
-1.75%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.20PKR 334
$1.17PKR 324
2.56%
Eggs
$1.17PKR 326
$1.20PKR 335
-2.50%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.12PKR 1,703
$6.11PKR 1,700
0.16%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.68PKR 747
$3.05PKR 849
-12.13%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$3.77PKR 1,050
$4.44PKR 1,234
-15.09%
Apples(1kg)
$1.04PKR 289
$1.02PKR 283
1.96%
Banana(1kg)
$0.65PKR 180
$0.60PKR 166
8.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.61PKR 170
$0.60PKR 168
1.67%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.48PKR 133
$0.48PKR 133
-
Potato(1kg)
$0.38PKR 105
$0.32PKR 90.2
18.75%
Onion(1kg)
$0.51PKR 141
$0.48PKR 133
6.25%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.33PKR 93.1
$0.44PKR 123
-25.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.34PKR 93.7
$0.38PKR 106
-10.53%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.49PKR 416
$0.93PKR 258
60.22%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.93PKR 259
$0.55PKR 152
69.09%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03PKR 565
$1.11PKR 309
82.88%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.92PKR 535
$1.99PKR 555
-3.52%
🚌 Getting Around
Mehar
Lahore
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.20PKR 55.2
$0.19PKR 52.8
5.26%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$7.24PKR 2,013
$6.98PKR 1,942
3.72%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.91PKR 255
$0.70PKR 194
30.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.44PKR 122
$0.49PKR 138
-10.20%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.82PKR 507
$1.78PKR 496
2.25%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.91PKR 253
$0.91PKR 253
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.5KPKR 6.0M
$17.4KPKR 4.8M
23.94%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.2KPKR 6.5M
$23.8KPKR 6.6M
-2.31%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mehar
Lahore
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$103PKR 28.6K
$138PKR 38.3K
-25.24%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.08PKR 1,136
$5.59PKR 1,555
-27.01%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.55PKR 3,770
$17.01PKR 4,734
-20.34%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mehar
Lahore
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$12.53PKR 3,487
$13.75PKR 3,825
-8.87%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.98PKR 1,665
$5.73PKR 1,595
4.36%
Cinema Ticket
$3.52PKR 980
$4.34PKR 1,207
-18.89%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mehar
Lahore
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$30.10PKR 8,377
$35.47PKR 9,872
-15.14%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,126PKR 313.4K
$1,238PKR 344.4K
-9.01%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mehar
Lahore
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$14.93PKR 4,155
$14.98PKR 4,169
-0.33%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$21.83PKR 6,076
$22.69PKR 6,313
-3.79%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$70.0PKR 19.5K
$72.6PKR 20.2K
-3.56%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$29.41PKR 8,183
$29.85PKR 8,306
-1.47%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mehar
Lahore
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$73.9PKR 20.6K
$118PKR 32.9K
-37.49%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$50.8PKR 14.1K
$76.7PKR 21.3K
-33.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$167PKR 46.6K
$286PKR 79.6K
-41.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$106PKR 29.5K
$188PKR 52.2K
-43.56%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,059PKR 294.8K
$843PKR 234.5K
25.72%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$463PKR 128.9K
$615PKR 171.3K
-24.72%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mehar
Lahore
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$106PKR 29.5K
$184PKR 51.3K
-42.58%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
19
19.88
-4.43%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mehar: June 1, 2026
Last update for Lahore: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $73.9 in Mehar and $118 in Lahore. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Lahore pays 74% 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 $14.00 in Lahore for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $87.0 vs $93.0 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 Lahore: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mehar and Lahore?
Mehar and Lahore differ by about 26% in total monthly costs ($390 vs $492 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, Lahore earns 74% less. 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 Lahore?
Rent for a central apartment: $73.9 in Mehar versus $118 in Lahore. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 6% higher in Lahore. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Mehar – a meal for two runs $11.00 versus $14.00 in Lahore. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How far does $800 go in Mehar vs Lahore?
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 Lahore?
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 Lahore?
Expats usually find Mehar gentler on the wallet – expenses run 26% less than in Lahore. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.