Cost of Living Comparison Between Mehar and Lahore Cost of Living Comparison Between Mehar and Lahore

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $439 in Mehar versus $500 in Lahore.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $654 in Mehar versus $765 in Lahore.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $870 in Mehar versus $1,030 in Lahore.

Living in Mehar costs roughly 12% less than in Lahore, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities sit below the global median: Mehar 68% lower, Lahore 64% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mehar
Lahore
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.02 PKR 561
$2.59 PKR 718
-22.01%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.95 PKR 3,034
$14.55 PKR 4,034
-24.74%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.01 PKR 1,666
$5.66 PKR 1,569
6.18%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.62 PKR 726
$3.56 PKR 988
-26.40%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.02 PKR 1,392
$5.54 PKR 1,536
-9.39%
Cappuccino
$1.56 PKR 433
$2.51 PKR 697
-37.85%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33 PKR 90.7
$0.43 PKR 119
-23.26%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.20 PKR 55.7
$0.26 PKR 72.7
-23.08%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mehar
Lahore
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.82 PKR 228
$0.85 PKR 237
-3.53%
White Bread (500g)
$0.64 PKR 176
$0.72 PKR 199
-11.11%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.18 PKR 327
$1.17 PKR 325
0.85%
Eggs
$1.25 PKR 345
$1.25 PKR 345
-
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.99 PKR 1,662
$6.41 PKR 1,778
-6.55%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.65 PKR 735
$2.45 PKR 678
8.16%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.86 PKR 1,346
$4.72 PKR 1,310
2.97%
Apples (1kg)
$1.19 PKR 331
$1.17 PKR 323
1.71%
Banana (1kg)
$0.56 PKR 156
$0.66 PKR 182
-15.15%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.73 PKR 203
$0.85 PKR 235
-14.12%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.49 PKR 135
$0.60 PKR 167
-18.33%
Potato (1kg)
$0.31 PKR 87.0
$0.30 PKR 83.9
3.33%
Onion (1kg)
$0.35 PKR 96.6
$0.33 PKR 90.9
6.06%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.34 PKR 95.4
$0.45 PKR 124
-24.44%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.33 PKR 92.1
$0.36 PKR 101
-8.33%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$1.98 PKR 550
$1.09 PKR 303
81.65%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.14 PKR 317
$0.65 PKR 180
75.38%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.31 PKR 642
$1.71 PKR 475
35.09%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.45 PKR 678
$2.15 PKR 596
13.95%
🚌 Getting Around
Mehar
Lahore
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.20 PKR 54.2
$0.18 PKR 49.72
11.11%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$9.99 PKR 2,770
$5.27 PKR 1,461
89.56%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.13 PKR 313
$0.88 PKR 243
28.41%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.61 PKR 170
$0.69 PKR 192
-11.59%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.73 PKR 480
$1.77 PKR 490
-2.26%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.16 PKR 322
$1.26 PKR 350
-7.94%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.0K PKR 6.4M
$18.0K PKR 5.0M
28.04%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.7K PKR 8.0M
$26.6K PKR 7.4M
7.84%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mehar
Lahore
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$95.3 PKR 26.4K
$124 PKR 34.3K
-22.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.51 PKR 1,527
$5.17 PKR 1,432
6.58%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.66 PKR 4,063
$16.25 PKR 4,506
-9.78%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mehar
Lahore
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$14.55 PKR 4,034
$19.21 PKR 5,325
-24.26%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$10.62 PKR 2,944
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.38 PKR 1,213
$4.30 PKR 1,191
1.86%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mehar
Lahore
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$44.27 PKR 12.3K
$44.27 PKR 12.3K
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$944 PKR 261.7K
$1,982 PKR 549.5K
-52.38%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mehar
Lahore
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$13.64 PKR 3,781
$16.83 PKR 4,664
-18.95%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$22.66 PKR 6,283
$25.65 PKR 7,110
-11.66%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$65.6 PKR 18.2K
$75.3 PKR 20.9K
-12.86%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$27.72 PKR 7,685
$29.41 PKR 8,153
-5.75%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mehar
Lahore
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$126 PKR 34.9K
$151 PKR 42.0K
-16.78%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$77.7 PKR 21.6K
$80.3 PKR 22.3K
-3.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$255 PKR 70.6K
$317 PKR 87.9K
-19.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$149 PKR 41.2K
$191 PKR 53.0K
-22.32%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$953 PKR 264.2K
$840 PKR 232.9K
13.45%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$510 PKR 141.3K
$594 PKR 164.5K
-14.14%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mehar
Lahore
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$106 PKR 29.5K
$183 PKR 50.8K
-41.94%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
12.88
14.22
-9.42%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Mehar: August 30, 2026

Last update for Lahore: August 29, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $126 in Mehar and $151 in Lahore. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Lahore pays 72% 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 $15.00 in Lahore for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $92.0 vs $95.0 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 in Lahore?
Mehar and Lahore differ by about 14% in total monthly costs ($439 vs $500 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 72% lower in Lahore. 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 Lahore?
Rent for a central apartment: $126 in Mehar versus $151 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 3% 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 $15.00 in Lahore. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How far does $800 go in Mehar compared to 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 14% less than in Lahore. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Mehar vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities