😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $498 in Pattoki versus $475 in Karachi.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $719 in Pattoki versus $735 in Karachi.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $939 in Pattoki versus $995 in Karachi.
🌍Living in Pattoki is roughly 5% more expensive than in Karachi, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Pattoki64% lower, Karachi66% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Pattoki
Karachi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.47PKR 685
$2.11PKR 584
17.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.02PKR 3,052
$14.17PKR 3,924
-22.23%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.26PKR 1,456
$5.56PKR 1,540
-5.40%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.67PKR 740
$2.13PKR 591
25.35%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.29PKR 1,465
$7.18PKR 1,988
-26.32%
Cappuccino
$1.86PKR 516
$2.29PKR 633
-18.78%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.30PKR 83.8
$0.38PKR 106
-21.05%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.19PKR 52.3
$0.24PKR 66.0
-20.83%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Pattoki
Karachi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.72PKR 199
$0.85PKR 237
-15.29%
White Bread(500g)
$0.53PKR 147
$0.57PKR 157
-7.02%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.08PKR 299
$1.22PKR 337
-11.48%
Eggs
$1.11PKR 307
$1.22PKR 339
-9.02%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.99PKR 1,936
$6.08PKR 1,684
14.97%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.40PKR 665
$3.14PKR 870
-23.57%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.34PKR 1,202
$6.25PKR 1,732
-30.56%
Apples(1kg)
$0.90PKR 250
$1.22PKR 339
-26.23%
Banana(1kg)
$0.49PKR 136
$0.59PKR 163
-16.95%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.71PKR 198
$0.99PKR 274
-28.28%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.58PKR 160
$0.56PKR 154
3.57%
Potato(1kg)
$0.40PKR 110
$0.35PKR 95.7
14.29%
Onion(1kg)
$0.44PKR 121
$0.33PKR 91.5
33.33%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.46PKR 127
$0.36PKR 101
27.78%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.37PKR 103
$0.40PKR 111
-7.50%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.81PKR 500
$1.29PKR 357
40.31%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.06PKR 295
$1.33PKR 367
-20.30%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.83PKR 783
$2.50PKR 692
13.20%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.19PKR 606
$1.79PKR 496
22.35%
🚌 Getting Around
Pattoki
Karachi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.20PKR 54.4
$0.30PKR 83.7
-33.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.05PKR 2,784
$7.95PKR 2,201
26.42%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.47PKR 407
$0.70PKR 195
110.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.37PKR 104
$0.73PKR 203
-49.32%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$0.91PKR 253
$2.12PKR 587
-57.08%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.15PKR 319
$1.34PKR 371
-14.18%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.7KPKR 6.8M
$18.0KPKR 5.0M
37.15%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KPKR 7.4M
$27.2KPKR 7.5M
-2.44%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pattoki
Karachi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$142PKR 39.3K
$110PKR 30.5K
28.83%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.99PKR 1,382
$5.71PKR 1,582
-12.61%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.22PKR 5,323
$13.12PKR 3,634
46.49%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Pattoki
Karachi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$14.81PKR 4,103
$21.28PKR 5,896
-30.40%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.76PKR 5,198
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.34PKR 1,202
$4.20PKR 1,164
3.33%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Pattoki
Karachi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$41.76PKR 11.6K
$50.3PKR 13.9K
-17.03%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,006PKR 278.7K
$1,589PKR 440.2K
-36.69%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Pattoki
Karachi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$18.26PKR 5,060
$15.49PKR 4,290
17.88%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$18.79PKR 5,206
$22.03PKR 6,104
-14.71%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.6PKR 25.9K
$67.7PKR 18.7K
38.33%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$25.37PKR 7,029
$38.00PKR 10.5K
-33.24%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Pattoki
Karachi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$126PKR 34.9K
$108PKR 29.8K
17.03%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$77.9PKR 21.6K
$71.6PKR 19.8K
8.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$256PKR 71.0K
$323PKR 89.4K
-20.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$151PKR 41.7K
$184PKR 51.0K
-18.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$899PKR 249.2K
$1,036PKR 287.0K
-13.18%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$507PKR 140.6K
$470PKR 130.2K
8.00%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Pattoki
Karachi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$182PKR 50.4K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13
12.88
0.93%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Pattoki: September 5, 2026
Last update for Karachi: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $126 in Pattoki and $108 in Karachi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $11.00 in Pattoki vs $14.00 in Karachi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $89.0 vs $101 per month, with Pattoki 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
Pattoki vs Karachi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Pattoki and in Karachi?
Pattoki and Karachi differ by about 5% in total monthly costs ($498 vs $475 including rent). Karachi is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Pattoki compared to Karachi?
You'd need roughly $747 in Pattoki and $713 in Karachi 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 Pattoki and in Karachi?
Rent for a central apartment: $126 in Pattoki versus $108 in Karachi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Pattoki or Karachi?
All in, you'll spend $498 per month in Pattoki versus $475 in Karachi – a 5% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Pattoki and in Karachi?
A monthly transit pass in Karachi runs roughly 26% less than in Pattoki. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How far does $1,200 go in Pattoki compared to Karachi?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Karachi 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 Pattoki and Karachi?
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: Pattoki or Karachi?
Expats usually find Karachi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 5% less than in Pattoki. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.