Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Muzaffarabad and Rahim Yar Khan

For one person, living is cheaper in Muzaffarabad: $387 a month against $447 in Rahim Yar Khan, rent and utilities included – about $720 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Muzaffarabad
🇵🇰 Pakistan
$387
/mo nomad
Rahim Yar Khan
🇵🇰 Pakistan
$447
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Muzaffarabad and in Rahim Yar Khan

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Muzaffarabad and in Rahim Yar Khan actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $387 per month in Muzaffarabad vs $447 in Rahim Yar Khan, rent included.

  • Muzaffarabad $387
  • Rahim Yar Khan $447

A couple spends around $560 per month in Muzaffarabad vs $645 in Rahim Yar Khan, rent included.

  • Muzaffarabad $560
  • Rahim Yar Khan $645

A family of three spends $733 per month in Muzaffarabad vs $842 in Rahim Yar Khan, rent included.

  • Muzaffarabad $733
  • Rahim Yar Khan $842

Muzaffarabad is about 13% cheaper than Rahim Yar Khan, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in clothing.

Both Muzaffarabad and Rahim Yar Khan are more affordable than the global median – Muzaffarabad 71% lower, Rahim Yar Khan 67% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Muzaffarabad
Rahim Yar Khan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.47 PKR 408
$1.42 PKR 393
3.52%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.27 PKR 2,565
$10.76 PKR 2,977
-13.85%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$2.16 PKR 597
$4.45 PKR 1,231
-51.46%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.47 PKR 406
$2.69 PKR 744
-45.35%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92 PKR 807
$5.16 PKR 1,429
-43.41%
Cappuccino
$1.09 PKR 302
$0.80 PKR 222
36.25%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.38 PKR 105
$0.30 PKR 84.0
26.67%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21 PKR 56.9
$0.15 PKR 42.39
40.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Muzaffarabad
Rahim Yar Khan
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.95 PKR 263
$0.73 PKR 203
30.14%
White Bread (500g)
$0.68 PKR 188
$0.47 PKR 130
44.68%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.95 PKR 262
$0.65 PKR 180
46.15%
Eggs
$0.87 PKR 241
$1.13 PKR 311
-23.01%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$3.58 PKR 990
$3.23 PKR 895
10.84%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.51 PKR 694
$2.50 PKR 692
0.40%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$3.29 PKR 910
$4.40 PKR 1,218
-25.23%
Apples (1kg)
$1.10 PKR 305
$0.47 PKR 131
134.04%
Banana (1kg)
$0.55 PKR 153
$0.34 PKR 95.0
61.76%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.35 PKR 96.8
$0.52 PKR 143
-32.69%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.37 PKR 104
$0.35 PKR 95.9
5.71%
Potato (1kg)
$0.34 PKR 95.4
$0.37 PKR 103
-8.11%
Onion (1kg)
$0.28 PKR 76.9
$0.26 PKR 71.9
7.69%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.41 PKR 114
$0.18 PKR 49.02
127.78%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.25 PKR 68.5
$0.27 PKR 73.8
-7.41%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$1.41 PKR 390
$1.82 PKR 504
-22.53%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.68 PKR 190
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.75 PKR 209
$2.86 PKR 792
-73.78%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$0.93 PKR 257
$2.20 PKR 609
-57.73%
🚌 Getting Around
Muzaffarabad
Rahim Yar Khan
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.21 PKR 56.9
$0.10 PKR 28.35
110.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$9.08 PKR 2,512
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.05 PKR 290
$0.70 PKR 194
50.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.74 PKR 204
$0.38 PKR 104
94.74%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.46 PKR 405
$2.24 PKR 621
-34.82%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.98 PKR 272
$1.20 PKR 333
-18.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.4K PKR 6.2M
$25.0K PKR 6.9M
-10.56%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K PKR 7.3M
$23.8K PKR 6.6M
10.18%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Muzaffarabad
Rahim Yar Khan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$118 PKR 32.8K
$147 PKR 40.7K
-19.37%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.36 PKR 1,483
$4.95 PKR 1,369
8.28%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.87 PKR 2,456
$14.51 PKR 4,015
-38.87%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Muzaffarabad
Rahim Yar Khan
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$14.56 PKR 4,029
$7.28 PKR 2,014
100.00%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.25 PKR 2,006
$17.80 PKR 4,927
-59.27%
Cinema Ticket
$2.03 PKR 562
$4.25 PKR 1,177
-52.24%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Muzaffarabad
Rahim Yar Khan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$46.57 PKR 12.9K
$18.91 PKR 5,233
146.27%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$987 PKR 273.3K
$1,022 PKR 282.8K
-3.38%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Muzaffarabad
Rahim Yar Khan
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$5.36 PKR 1,484
$10.84 PKR 3,001
-50.55%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$8.87 PKR 2,455
$18.15 PKR 5,022
-51.13%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$50.3 PKR 13.9K
$92.2 PKR 25.5K
-45.47%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$10.75 PKR 2,976
$25.55 PKR 7,071
-57.93%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Muzaffarabad
Rahim Yar Khan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$129 PKR 35.6K
$128 PKR 35.3K
0.86%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$78.6 PKR 21.7K
$91.2 PKR 25.3K
-13.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$251 PKR 69.5K
$275 PKR 76.1K
-8.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$152 PKR 42.0K
$178 PKR 49.3K
-14.97%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$935 PKR 258.9K
$547 PKR 151.4K
71.03%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$474 PKR 131.3K
$460 PKR 127.2K
3.21%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Muzaffarabad
Rahim Yar Khan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$292 PKR 80.9K
$88.5 PKR 24.5K
230.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
15
12.5
20.00%

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

Last update for Muzaffarabad: October 10, 2026

Last update for Rahim Yar Khan: October 13, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Muzaffarabad
$133
Rahim Yar Khan
$166 25.4% $34
Accommodation & Living
Muzaffarabad
$79
Rahim Yar Khan
$91 16.2% $13
Groceries & Markets
Muzaffarabad
$75
Rahim Yar Khan
$68 8.9% $6.7
Clothing & Footwear
Muzaffarabad
$34
Rahim Yar Khan
$66 95% $32
Eating Out
Muzaffarabad
$34
Rahim Yar Khan
$36 7.2% $2.4
Sport & Entertainment
Muzaffarabad
$19
Rahim Yar Khan
$16 15.3% $2.8
Getting Around
Muzaffarabad
$15
Rahim Yar Khan
$3 * 79.5% $12

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $129 in Muzaffarabad versus $128 in Rahim Yar Khan. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 230% higher in Muzaffarabad, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $9.00 in Muzaffarabad versus $11.00 in Rahim Yar Khan. Groceries tell a different story – $75.0 in Muzaffarabad vs $68.0 in Rahim Yar Khan – so Rahim Yar Khan wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇵🇰 Muzaffarabad
🇵🇰 Rahim Yar Khan
🕒 Local time
06:28 6:28 AM
06:28 6:28 AM
Same time as Muzaffarabad
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
149,913
420,419
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to PKR – Pakistani Rupee Converter

Pakistani Rupee exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 277 PKR (1,000 PKR = 3.61 USD). 1 EUR = 311 PKR (1,000 PKR = 3.21 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Muzaffarabad Rahim Yar Khan 730 km ≈ 1 h 30 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Muzaffarabad
  • Rahim Yar Khan

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Muzaffarabad vs Rahim Yar Khan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rahim Yar Khan cheaper than Muzaffarabad?
Yes – Rahim Yar Khan is pricier by about 15%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in clothing.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $581 per month in Muzaffarabad and $670 in Rahim Yar Khan. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Muzaffarabad, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Muzaffarabad and in Rahim Yar Khan?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $387 in Muzaffarabad and $447 in Rahim Yar Khan. That's a gap of about 15%.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $46.57 per month in Muzaffarabad and $18.91 in Rahim Yar Khan. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $1,000 enough for either Muzaffarabad or Rahim Yar Khan?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $387 in Muzaffarabad and $447 in Rahim Yar Khan, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Is Muzaffarabad or Rahim Yar Khan more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Muzaffarabad – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Muzaffarabad. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Rahim Yar Khan makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

Muzaffarabad vs other spots: cost of living compared

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