🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $456 in Mianwali versus $484 in Lahore.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $665 in Mianwali versus $727 in Lahore.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $874 in Mianwali versus $970 in Lahore.
🌍Living in Mianwali costs roughly 6% less than in Lahore, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Mianwali66% lower, Lahore64% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mianwali
Lahore
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.11PKR 585
$2.09PKR 580
0.96%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.07PKR 3,906
$14.06PKR 3,903
0.07%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.28PKR 1,189
$4.35PKR 1,207
-1.61%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.87PKR 798
$2.75PKR 765
4.36%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.75PKR 1,041
$3.66PKR 1,018
2.46%
Cappuccino
$2.35PKR 652
$2.39PKR 663
-1.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.20PKR 54.6
$0.36PKR 98.7
-44.44%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21PKR 58.2
$0.21PKR 58.3
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mianwali
Lahore
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.67PKR 185
$0.94PKR 260
-28.72%
White Bread(500g)
$0.57PKR 158
$0.57PKR 158
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.90PKR 249
$1.21PKR 337
-25.62%
Eggs
$1.17PKR 326
$1.21PKR 337
-3.31%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.11PKR 1,696
$6.18PKR 1,717
-1.13%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.92PKR 811
$3.02PKR 839
-3.31%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.42PKR 1,227
$4.55PKR 1,263
-2.86%
Apples(1kg)
$1.02PKR 282
$1.06PKR 293
-3.77%
Banana(1kg)
$0.60PKR 166
$0.63PKR 175
-4.76%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.60PKR 168
$0.61PKR 169
-1.64%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.22PKR 61.2
$0.47PKR 131
-53.19%
Potato(1kg)
$0.35PKR 97.6
$0.36PKR 98.8
-2.78%
Onion(1kg)
$0.36PKR 101
$0.48PKR 132
-25.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.45PKR 125
$0.47PKR 131
-4.26%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.38PKR 106
$0.35PKR 98.3
8.57%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.05PKR 291
$1.11PKR 308
-5.41%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.51PKR 142
$0.51PKR 143
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.11PKR 308
$1.10PKR 306
0.91%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.89PKR 525
$1.97PKR 546
-4.06%
🚌 Getting Around
Mianwali
Lahore
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.16PKR 44.36
$0.18PKR 51.2
-11.11%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$7.15PKR 1,986
$6.92PKR 1,922
3.32%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.73PKR 203
$0.73PKR 202
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.53PKR 148
$0.49PKR 137
8.16%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.82PKR 504
$1.80PKR 501
1.11%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.91PKR 252
$0.96PKR 266
-5.21%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.4KPKR 4.8M
$17.5KPKR 4.9M
-0.42%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.2KPKR 6.4M
$23.4KPKR 6.5M
-0.90%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mianwali
Lahore
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$141PKR 39.1K
$141PKR 39.2K
-0.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.63PKR 1,009
$5.31PKR 1,473
-31.64%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.00PKR 4,721
$17.33PKR 4,811
-1.90%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mianwali
Lahore
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$12.23PKR 3,396
$13.73PKR 3,813
-10.92%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.86PKR 1,626
$5.94PKR 1,649
-1.35%
Cinema Ticket
$4.22PKR 1,171
$4.29PKR 1,191
-1.63%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mianwali
Lahore
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$35.40PKR 9,829
$34.60PKR 9,608
2.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,233PKR 342.5K
$1,253PKR 347.9K
-1.55%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mianwali
Lahore
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$14.97PKR 4,156
$15.40PKR 4,276
-2.79%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$23.37PKR 6,490
$23.27PKR 6,462
0.43%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$72.8PKR 20.2K
$71.8PKR 19.9K
1.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$30.12PKR 8,364
$30.56PKR 8,486
-1.44%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mianwali
Lahore
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$74.7PKR 20.8K
$120PKR 33.3K
-37.69%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$51.3PKR 14.2K
$75.9PKR 21.1K
-32.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$164PKR 45.4K
$291PKR 80.9K
-43.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$105PKR 29.1K
$188PKR 52.2K
-44.29%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$858PKR 238.1K
$844PKR 234.5K
1.56%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$412PKR 114.4K
$590PKR 163.7K
-30.12%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mianwali
Lahore
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$185PKR 51.5K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
19.88
19.88
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mianwali: July 13, 2026
Last update for Lahore: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $74.7 in Mianwali and $120 in Lahore. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $14.00 in Mianwali vs $14.00 in Lahore for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $87.0 vs $94.0 per month, with Mianwali 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
Mianwali vs Lahore: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mianwali and in Lahore?
Mianwali and Lahore differ by about 6% in total monthly costs ($456 vs $484 including rent). Mianwali is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Mianwali compared to Lahore?
You'd need roughly $685 in Mianwali and $726 in Lahore 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 Mianwali and in Lahore?
Rent for a central apartment: $74.7 in Mianwali versus $120 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 8% 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 Mianwali – a meal for two runs $14.00 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 Mianwali compared to Lahore?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Mianwali 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 Mianwali 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: Mianwali or Lahore?
Expats usually find Mianwali gentler on the wallet – expenses run 6% less than in Lahore. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.