🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $368 in Rahim Yar Khan versus $437 in Rawalpindi.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $532 in Rahim Yar Khan versus $671 in Rawalpindi.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $696 in Rahim Yar Khan versus $905 in Rawalpindi.
🌍Living in Rahim Yar Khan costs roughly 16% less than in Rawalpindi, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Rahim Yar Khan72% lower, Rawalpindi67% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Rahim Yar Khan
Rawalpindi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.75PKR 487
$1.82PKR 505
-3.85%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$8.91PKR 2,474
$13.95PKR 3,873
-36.13%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.20PKR 890
$5.40PKR 1,499
-40.74%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.76PKR 487
$1.56PKR 433
12.82%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.26PKR 906
$3.53PKR 980
-7.65%
Cappuccino
$0.89PKR 248
$1.71PKR 474
-47.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.24PKR 66.8
$0.31PKR 87.1
-22.58%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.16PKR 45.10
$0.23PKR 63.9
-30.43%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Rahim Yar Khan
Rawalpindi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.59PKR 164
$0.86PKR 239
-31.40%
White Bread(500g)
$0.59PKR 165
$0.53PKR 146
11.32%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.07PKR 298
$1.30PKR 361
-17.69%
Eggs
$1.07PKR 297
$1.12PKR 312
-4.46%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.26PKR 1,183
$6.03PKR 1,674
-29.35%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.16PKR 600
$3.43PKR 954
-37.03%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$3.15PKR 875
$4.40PKR 1,221
-28.41%
Apples(1kg)
$0.86PKR 238
$1.01PKR 280
-14.85%
Banana(1kg)
$0.72PKR 201
$0.69PKR 191
4.35%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.58PKR 160
$0.85PKR 236
-31.76%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.48PKR 133
$0.47PKR 129
2.13%
Potato(1kg)
$0.40PKR 112
$0.34PKR 94.1
17.65%
Onion(1kg)
$0.39PKR 109
$0.52PKR 145
-25.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.61PKR 169
$0.24PKR 66.0
154.17%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.29PKR 79.4
$0.39PKR 109
-25.64%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.88PKR 521
$16.04PKR 4,454
-88.28%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.57PKR 435
$0.99PKR 274
58.59%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.94PKR 539
$2.40PKR 666
-19.17%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.01PKR 557
$1.91PKR 532
5.24%
🚌 Getting Around
Rahim Yar Khan
Rawalpindi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.15PKR 42.71
$0.20PKR 56.1
-25.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$6.90PKR 1,915
$9.52PKR 2,645
-27.52%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.08PKR 301
$0.86PKR 240
25.58%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.44PKR 122
$0.32PKR 89.7
37.50%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.43PKR 398
$2.92PKR 811
-51.03%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.00PKR 277
$0.97PKR 270
3.09%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.4KPKR 6.2M
$17.6KPKR 4.9M
27.15%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.0KPKR 6.1M
$22.8KPKR 6.3M
-3.45%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rahim Yar Khan
Rawalpindi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$105PKR 29.0K
$104PKR 28.8K
0.86%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.13PKR 870
$4.04PKR 1,121
-22.52%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.57PKR 3,767
$16.63PKR 4,618
-18.40%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Rahim Yar Khan
Rawalpindi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$14.31PKR 3,972
$9.97PKR 2,768
43.53%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.96PKR 1,656
$7.43PKR 2,062
-19.78%
Cinema Ticket
$2.70PKR 749
$3.47PKR 964
-22.19%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Rahim Yar Khan
Rawalpindi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$17.70PKR 4,914
$40.20PKR 11.2K
-55.97%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$880PKR 244.3K
$948PKR 263.3K
-7.20%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Rahim Yar Khan
Rawalpindi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$12.56PKR 3,489
$11.90PKR 3,304
5.55%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$21.30PKR 5,915
$18.45PKR 5,124
15.45%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$53.1PKR 14.7K
$89.5PKR 24.9K
-40.66%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$28.66PKR 7,959
$29.00PKR 8,053
-1.17%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Rahim Yar Khan
Rawalpindi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$79.8PKR 22.2K
$133PKR 36.8K
-39.81%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$61.0PKR 16.9K
$65.1PKR 18.1K
-6.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$113PKR 31.4K
$330PKR 91.6K
-65.72%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$95.5PKR 26.5K
$171PKR 47.4K
-44.07%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$529PKR 146.9K
$1,176PKR 326.5K
-55.02%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$442PKR 122.8K
$518PKR 143.8K
-14.57%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Rahim Yar Khan
Rawalpindi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$90.9PKR 25.3K
$175PKR 48.5K
-47.92%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
17.43
20.17
-13.58%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Rahim Yar Khan: July 12, 2026
Last update for Rawalpindi: July 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $79.8 in Rahim Yar Khan and $133 in Rawalpindi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Rawalpindi pays 92% 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: $9.00 in Rahim Yar Khan vs $14.00 in Rawalpindi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $75.0 vs $95.0 per month, with Rahim Yar Khan 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
Rahim Yar Khan vs Rawalpindi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Rahim Yar Khan or Rawalpindi?
Rahim Yar Khan wins on cost – living expenses run 19% lower than in Rawalpindi. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Rahim Yar Khan the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Rahim Yar Khan or in Rawalpindi?
On paper, salaries run 92% lower in Rawalpindi. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Rahim Yar Khan compared to Rawalpindi?
Rent for a central apartment: $79.8 in Rahim Yar Khan versus $133 in Rawalpindi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Rahim Yar Khan or in Rawalpindi?
Supermarket bills run roughly 27% higher in Rawalpindi. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How do dining costs compare in Rahim Yar Khan and in Rawalpindi?
Dining out is cheaper in Rahim Yar Khan – a meal for two runs $9.00 versus $14.00 in Rawalpindi. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $800/month in Rahim Yar Khan or in Rawalpindi?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Rahim Yar Khan gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Rahim Yar Khan or Rawalpindi?
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.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Rahim Yar Khan gentler on the wallet – expenses run 19% less than in Rawalpindi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Rahim Yar Khan vs other spots: cost of living compared