😐A single person spends $432 per month in Peshawar vs $281 in Kollam, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $604 per month in Peshawar vs $456 in Kollam, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $777 per month in Peshawar vs $630 in Kollam, rent included.
😐Peshawar costs about 54% more than Kollam, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Peshawar and Kollam are more affordable than the global median – Peshawar68% lower, Kollam79% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Peshawar
Kollam
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.46PKR 681
$1.02₹98.0
141.18%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$8.51PKR 2,358
$6.14₹589
38.60%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.81PKR 1,333
$3.59₹345
33.98%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21PKR 614
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.83PKR 784
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.29PKR 357
$1.40₹134
-7.86%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31PKR 85.8
$0.41₹39.29
-24.39%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.17PKR 45.74
$0.15₹14.58
13.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.12₹107
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.68₹257
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Peshawar
Kollam
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.93PKR 257
$0.57₹54.8
63.16%
White Bread(500g)
$0.76PKR 210
$0.40₹38.54
90.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.04PKR 288
$0.47₹45.22
121.28%
Eggs
$1.06PKR 294
$0.75₹71.5
41.33%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.59PKR 995
$5.27₹506
-31.88%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.18PKR 881
$2.04₹196
55.88%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$3.72PKR 1,030
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$1.22PKR 339
$1.64₹158
-25.61%
Banana(1kg)
$0.52PKR 144
$0.58₹56.0
-10.34%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.63PKR 174
$0.68₹64.8
-7.35%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.53PKR 147
$0.39₹37.50
35.90%
Potato(1kg)
$0.28PKR 78.4
$0.43₹41.44
-34.88%
Onion(1kg)
$0.33PKR 91.7
$0.35₹33.89
-5.71%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.28PKR 76.5
$0.36₹34.46
-22.22%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.25PKR 69.0
$0.30₹29.07
-16.67%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.91PKR 530
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.70PKR 193
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.70PKR 193
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.84PKR 509
$5.09₹488
-63.85%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$2.64₹254
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.67₹160
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.75₹264
-
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
-
$4.16₹399
-
🚌 Getting Around
Peshawar
Kollam
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.21PKR 57.9
$0.15₹14.47
40.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$12.74PKR 3,530
$7.16₹687
77.93%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.10PKR 305
$1.02₹98.1
7.84%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.71PKR 196
$0.26₹24.91
173.08%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.47PKR 406
$1.60₹154
-8.13%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.12PKR 310
$1.06₹102
5.66%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.8KPKR 6.3M
$10.4K₹999.3K
119.24%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.7KPKR 6.8M
$16.4K₹1.6M
50.47%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Peshawar
Kollam
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$103PKR 28.5K
$32.97₹3,163
211.89%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.96PKR 1,650
$2.93₹281
103.41%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.46PKR 4,006
$5.23₹502
176.48%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Peshawar
Kollam
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$15.18PKR 4,206
$13.31₹1,277
14.05%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.91PKR 1,638
$12.75₹1,223
-53.65%
Cinema Ticket
$1.93PKR 536
$1.53₹147
26.14%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Peshawar
Kollam
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$45.99PKR 12.7K
$20.74₹1,990
121.75%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,975PKR 1.4M
$1,328₹127.4K
274.60%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Peshawar
Kollam
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$7.14PKR 1,978
$16.33₹1,567
-56.28%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$16.33PKR 4,523
$21.68₹2,080
-24.68%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$51.0PKR 14.1K
$24.98₹2,396
104.24%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$39.89PKR 11.1K
$24.08₹2,310
65.66%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Peshawar
Kollam
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$128PKR 35.5K
$82.3₹7,892
55.73%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$78.8PKR 21.8K
$46.28₹4,441
70.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$195PKR 54.0K
$182₹17.5K
7.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$116PKR 32.2K
$114₹10.9K
1.97%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$828₹79.4K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$443₹42.5K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Peshawar
Kollam
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$148PKR 41.1K
$530₹50.9K
-72.01%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11
9.13
20.48%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Peshawar: September 15, 2026
Last update for Kollam: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $128 in Peshawar versus $82.3 in Kollam. 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 257% higher in Kollam, 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 Peshawar versus $6.00 in Kollam. Groceries tell a different story – $83.0 in Peshawar vs $83.0 in Kollam – so Peshawar wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
Peshawar vs Kollam: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Peshawar or Kollam?
Peshawar costs about 54% more than Kollam, with the gap driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Peshawar and in Kollam?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $649 per month in Peshawar and $422 in Kollam. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Peshawar or Kollam?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kollam, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Peshawar or in Kollam?
Interestingly, groceries are about 0% cheaper in Peshawar – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
How do dining costs compare in Peshawar and in Kollam?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $9.00 in Peshawar and $6.00 in Kollam. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Can you live on $800/month in Peshawar or in Kollam?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $432 in Peshawar and $281 in Kollam, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Kollam – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Peshawar compared to Kollam?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Peshawar or to Kollam?
If budget matters most, go with Kollam. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Peshawar makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.