Cost of Living Comparison Between Pakistan and Iran Cost of Living Comparison Between Pakistan and Iran

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $450 per month in Pakistan vs $511 in Iran, rent included.

A couple spends around $678 per month in Pakistan vs $815 in Iran, rent included.

A family of three spends $905 per month in Pakistan vs $1,118 in Iran, rent included.

The cost of living in Pakistan is roughly 12% lower than in Iran on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.

Both Pakistan and Iran are more affordable than the global median – Pakistan 67% lower, Iran 63% lower.

The regional cost range is wider in Iran ($351$785) than in Pakistan ($296$604), so city choice matters more there.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Pakistan
Iran
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.10 PKR 581
$3.06 $3.06
-31.37%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.51 PKR 4,021
$15.91 $15.91
-8.80%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.53 PKR 1,533
$4.09 $4.09
35.21%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.14 PKR 594
$0.86 $0.86
148.84%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.04 PKR 1,120
$0.99 $0.99
308.08%
Cappuccino
$2.04 PKR 564
$1.19 $1.19
71.43%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.38 PKR 105
$0.53 $0.53
-28.30%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.24 PKR 66.7
$0.91 $0.91
-73.63%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Pakistan
Iran
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.85 PKR 235
$0.65 $0.65
30.77%
White Bread (500g)
$0.63 PKR 174
$0.47 $0.47
34.04%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.22 PKR 339
$2.32 $2.32
-47.41%
Eggs
$1.22 PKR 337
$1.16 $1.16
5.17%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.79 PKR 1,603
$3.70 $3.70
56.49%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.90 PKR 803
$3.02 $3.02
-3.97%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$5.08 PKR 1,407
$9.39 $9.39
-45.90%
Apples (1kg)
$1.13 PKR 313
$0.89 $0.89
26.97%
Banana (1kg)
$0.69 PKR 191
$1.50 $1.50
-54.00%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.84 PKR 232
$0.83 $0.83
1.20%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.57 PKR 159
$0.54 $0.54
5.56%
Potato (1kg)
$0.34 PKR 95.0
$0.48 $0.48
-29.17%
Onion (1kg)
$0.42 PKR 116
$0.46 $0.46
-8.70%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.34 PKR 95.1
$0.54 $0.54
-37.04%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.41 PKR 113
$0.25 $0.25
64.00%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$2.04 PKR 566
$0.98 $0.98
108.16%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.08 PKR 299
$0.53 $0.53
103.77%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.32 PKR 644
$1.40 $1.40
65.71%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.14 PKR 594
$2.26 $2.26
-5.31%
🚌 Getting Around
Pakistan
Iran
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.18 PKR 48.48
$0.15 $0.15
20.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$9.87 PKR 2,736
$10.04 $10.04
-1.69%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.91 PKR 252
$0.51 $0.51
78.43%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.52 PKR 144
$0.31 $0.31
67.74%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.17 PKR 601
$2.42 $2.42
-10.33%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.22 PKR 337
$0.29 $0.29
320.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.3K PKR 5.1M
$60.0K $60.0K
-69.50%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.4K PKR 7.0M
$56.8K $56.8K
-55.23%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pakistan
Iran
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$108 PKR 30.0K
$14.21 $14.21
662.35%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.35 PKR 1,481
$2.33 $2.33
129.61%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.67 PKR 4,340
$6.75 $6.75
132.15%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Pakistan
Iran
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$15.93 PKR 4,412
$16.50 $16.50
-3.45%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.70 PKR 2,964
$11.98 $11.98
-10.68%
Cinema Ticket
$4.41 PKR 1,222
$1.54 $1.54
186.36%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Pakistan
Iran
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$42.68 PKR 11.8K
$79.6 $79.6
-46.38%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,343 PKR 372.0K
$1,164 $1,164
15.36%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Pakistan
Iran
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$15.94 PKR 4,417
$22.32 $22.32
-28.58%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$23.78 PKR 6,589
$26.69 $26.69
-10.90%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$78.7 PKR 21.8K
$98.3 $98.3
-19.98%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$33.79 PKR 9,361
$60.4 $60.4
-44.04%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Pakistan
Iran
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$134 PKR 37.1K
$266 $266
-49.62%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$77.9 PKR 21.6K
$182 $182
-57.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$309 PKR 85.5K
$559 $559
-44.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$172 PKR 47.7K
$359 $359
-51.94%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,017 PKR 281.8K
$975 $975
4.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$522 PKR 144.5K
$585 $585
-10.80%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Pakistan
Iran
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$185 PKR 51.2K
$247 $247
-25.20%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.96
22.98
-39.25%

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

Last update for Pakistan: September 7, 2026

Last update for Iran: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average rent: $122 in Pakistan vs $283 in Iran. For reference, capital cities sit at $270 in Islamabad and $423 in Tehran.

Average salary: $181 in Pakistan vs $265 in Iran. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.

Cost Highlights

Rent is 132% higher in Iran.

Dining out costs 23% more in Iran.

Salaries are 46% higher in Iran, and purchasing power comes out stronger in Iran.

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
Pakistan vs Iran: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which country is cheaper: Iran or Pakistan?
Pakistan is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 26% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
Is rent more expensive in Iran or in Pakistan?
Housing costs more in Iran, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but Iran consistently has higher rents.
How do daily expenses compare in Iran vs Pakistan?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Pakistan, contributing to the overall 26% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
Can you live in both Iran and Pakistan on $1,000 per month?
$1,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Pakistan, but in Iran it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
Which country is better for expats: Iran or Pakistan?
Pakistan is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.

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