Cost of Living Comparison Between Pakistan and IranCost of Living Comparison Between Pakistan and Iran
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂A single person spends $391 per month in Pakistan vs $517 in Iran, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $592 per month in Pakistan vs $826 in Iran, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $792 per month in Pakistan vs $1,134 in Iran, rent included.
🌍The cost of living in Pakistan is roughly 24% 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 71% lower, Iran 61% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Pakistan
Iran
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.81PKR 503
$3.48$3.48
-47.99%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.15PKR 3,375
$18.86$18.86
-35.58%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.29PKR 1,190
$3.94$3.94
8.88%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.75PKR 485
$0.71$0.71
146.48%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.98PKR 1,106
$1.08$1.08
268.52%
Cappuccino
$1.74PKR 482
$1.15$1.15
51.30%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36PKR 100
$0.58$0.58
-37.93%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21PKR 58.3
$0.89$0.89
-76.40%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Pakistan
Iran
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.78PKR 216
$0.63$0.63
23.81%
White Bread(500g)
$0.56PKR 155
$0.48$0.48
16.67%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.21PKR 337
$2.11$2.11
-42.65%
Eggs
$1.20PKR 334
$1.16$1.16
3.45%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.69PKR 1,579
$3.79$3.79
50.13%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.84PKR 789
$3.02$3.02
-5.96%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.09PKR 1,135
$9.29$9.29
-55.97%
Apples(1kg)
$1.00PKR 279
$0.85$0.85
17.65%
Banana(1kg)
$0.61PKR 170
$1.45$1.45
-57.93%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.76PKR 212
$0.94$0.94
-19.15%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.52PKR 145
$0.58$0.58
-10.34%
Potato(1kg)
$0.38PKR 106
$0.55$0.55
-30.91%
Onion(1kg)
$0.51PKR 143
$0.48$0.48
6.25%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.38PKR 106
$0.52$0.52
-26.92%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.36PKR 98.8
$0.24$0.24
50.00%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$2.01PKR 559
$0.82$0.82
145.12%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.10PKR 304
$0.58$0.58
89.66%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.08PKR 578
$1.40$1.40
48.57%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.96PKR 545
$1.98$1.98
-1.01%
🚌 Getting Around
Pakistan
Iran
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.20PKR 56.1
$0.22$0.22
-9.09%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$7.24PKR 2,011
$10.17$10.17
-28.81%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.84PKR 232
$0.52$0.52
61.54%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.52PKR 145
$0.31$0.31
67.74%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.79PKR 496
$2.43$2.43
-26.34%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.89PKR 248
$0.72$0.72
23.61%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.8KPKR 4.9M
$72.6K$72.6K
-75.48%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.7KPKR 6.6M
$58.6K$58.6K
-59.49%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pakistan
Iran
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$110PKR 30.5K
$15.81$15.81
595.13%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.58PKR 1,270
$2.13$2.13
115.02%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.58PKR 4,326
$7.70$7.70
102.34%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Pakistan
Iran
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$13.28PKR 3,687
$17.24$17.24
-22.97%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.84PKR 2,456
$11.72$11.72
-24.57%
Cinema Ticket
$4.13PKR 1,148
$1.53$1.53
169.93%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Pakistan
Iran
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$39.62PKR 11.0K
$94.4$94.4
-58.04%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,170PKR 324.9K
$1,293$1,293
-9.48%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Pakistan
Iran
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$15.59PKR 4,330
$26.84$26.84
-41.92%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$23.77PKR 6,601
$31.51$31.51
-24.56%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$71.9PKR 20.0K
$111$111
-35.45%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$32.15PKR 8,928
$65.7$65.7
-51.10%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Pakistan
Iran
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$115PKR 31.9K
$302$302
-61.97%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$66.3PKR 18.4K
$213$213
-68.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$274PKR 76.1K
$664$664
-58.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$163PKR 45.2K
$427$427
-61.87%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$965PKR 268.0K
$986$986
-2.11%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$502PKR 139.4K
$583$583
-13.94%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Pakistan
Iran
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$186PKR 51.6K
$244$244
-23.97%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
18.97
22.87
-17.05%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Pakistan: July 12, 2026
Last update for Iran: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $78.0 in Pakistan vs $294 in Iran. For reference, capital cities sit at $199 in Islamabad and $491 in Tehran.
💰Average salary: $181 in Pakistan vs $267 in Iran. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 277% higher in Iran.
⭐Dining out costs 55% more in Iran.
⭐Public transport is 43% more expensive in Iran.
⭐Salaries are 48% higher 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 34% 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 34% 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.