Cost of Living Comparison Between Quetta and KotaCost of Living Comparison Between Quetta and Kota
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $346 in Quetta versus $376 in Kota.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $537 in Quetta versus $587 in Kota.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $728 in Quetta versus $797 in Kota.
🌍Living in Quetta costs roughly 8% less than in Kota, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Quetta74% lower, Kota72% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Quetta
Kota
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.52PKR 977
$2.27₹216
55.07%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.63PKR 2,950
$8.79₹838
20.93%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.38PKR 1,216
$2.86₹273
53.15%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72PKR 478
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.55PKR 431
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.70PKR 471
$0.73₹69.5
132.88%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42PKR 117
$0.39₹37.53
7.69%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.20PKR 55.4
$0.19₹18.14
5.26%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.70₹162
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.26₹311
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Quetta
Kota
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.74PKR 206
$0.63₹60.1
17.46%
White Bread(500g)
$0.46PKR 128
$0.47₹44.66
-2.13%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.03PKR 285
$0.76₹72.4
35.53%
Eggs
$1.12PKR 310
$0.95₹90.7
17.89%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.92PKR 1,644
$4.85₹463
22.06%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.58PKR 716
$2.68₹255
-3.73%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.12PKR 1,143
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$1.04PKR 289
$1.75₹167
-40.57%
Banana(1kg)
$0.55PKR 154
$0.53₹50.3
3.77%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.57PKR 157
$0.79₹75.0
-27.85%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.48PKR 133
$0.49₹46.59
-2.04%
Potato(1kg)
$0.31PKR 87.2
$0.31₹29.28
-
Onion(1kg)
$0.48PKR 132
$0.45₹43.38
6.67%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.35PKR 98.5
$0.34₹32.25
2.94%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.32PKR 90.1
$0.33₹31.75
-3.03%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.45PKR 402
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.34PKR 93.1
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09PKR 581
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$0.69PKR 192
$3.99₹381
-82.71%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$7.61₹726
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.65₹157
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.60₹344
-
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
-
$4.41₹421
-
🚌 Getting Around
Quetta
Kota
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.16PKR 43.93
$0.60₹57.0
-73.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$5.23PKR 1,453
$8.77₹837
-40.36%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.36PKR 101
$0.36₹34.73
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.62PKR 171
$0.22₹20.93
181.82%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.73PKR 481
$1.44₹137
20.14%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.97PKR 268
$1.24₹119
-21.77%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.5KPKR 6.0M
$11.4K₹1.1M
88.34%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$12.1KPKR 3.4M
$16.6K₹1.6M
-26.75%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Quetta
Kota
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$52.6PKR 14.6K
$30.78₹2,936
70.83%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.41PKR 1,778
$2.80₹267
128.93%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.32PKR 3,975
$7.49₹715
91.19%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Quetta
Kota
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$4.96PKR 1,378
$10.68₹1,019
-53.56%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.76PKR 1,600
$2.27₹217
153.74%
Cinema Ticket
$2.90PKR 805
$3.58₹342
-18.99%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Quetta
Kota
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$34.09PKR 9,461
$37.41₹3,568
-8.87%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$417PKR 115.7K
$721₹68.8K
-42.18%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Quetta
Kota
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$6.98PKR 1,937
$20.84₹1,987
-66.51%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$7.24PKR 2,010
$26.77₹2,554
-72.95%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$87.1PKR 24.2K
$50.7₹4,839
71.67%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$29.59PKR 8,213
$24.98₹2,382
18.45%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Quetta
Kota
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$69.8PKR 19.4K
$161₹15.4K
-56.66%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$49.30PKR 13.7K
$87.7₹8,365
-43.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$159PKR 44.1K
$309₹29.4K
-48.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$96.5PKR 26.8K
$189₹18.0K
-48.99%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$376PKR 104.2K
$564₹53.8K
-33.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$214PKR 59.3K
$336₹32.0K
-36.38%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Quetta
Kota
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$271PKR 75.3K
$433₹41.3K
-37.43%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12
7.5
60.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Quetta: July 28, 2026
Last update for Kota: July 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $69.8 in Quetta and $161 in Kota. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Kota pays 60% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $11.00 in Quetta vs $9.00 in Kota. Groceries flip the comparison at $84.0 vs $101, with Quetta cheaper for home cooking.
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
Quetta vs Kota: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Quetta and in Kota?
Quetta and Kota differ by about 8% in total monthly costs ($346 vs $376 including rent). Quetta is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 60% lower in Kota. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Quetta and in Kota?
Rent for a central apartment: $69.8 in Quetta versus $161 in Kota. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 20% higher in Kota. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Quetta – a meal for two runs $11.00 versus $9.00 in Kota. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How far does $1,000 go in Quetta compared to Kota?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Quetta 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 Quetta and Kota?
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: Quetta or Kota?
Expats usually find Quetta gentler on the wallet – expenses run 8% less than in Kota. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.