🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $440 in Rahim Yar Khan versus $503 in Rawalpindi.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $645 in Rahim Yar Khan versus $776 in Rawalpindi.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $851 in Rahim Yar Khan versus $1,050 in Rawalpindi.
🌍Living in Rahim Yar Khan costs roughly 13% less than in Rawalpindi, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Rahim Yar Khan68% lower, Rawalpindi64% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Rahim Yar Khan
Rawalpindi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.42PKR 393
$2.09PKR 580
-32.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.71PKR 2,966
$16.42PKR 4,548
-34.77%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.63PKR 1,282
$5.81PKR 1,611
-20.31%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.77PKR 766
$1.84PKR 511
50.54%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.07PKR 1,405
$3.48PKR 963
45.69%
Cappuccino
$0.87PKR 242
$1.92PKR 532
-54.69%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.30PKR 83.2
$0.40PKR 111
-25.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.19PKR 51.7
$0.25PKR 69.4
-24.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Rahim Yar Khan
Rawalpindi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.68PKR 188
$0.86PKR 239
-20.93%
White Bread(500g)
$0.45PKR 125
$0.59PKR 163
-23.73%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.66PKR 184
$1.20PKR 333
-45.00%
Eggs
$1.10PKR 304
$1.15PKR 318
-4.35%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.21PKR 889
$6.21PKR 1,721
-48.31%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.45PKR 679
$3.47PKR 962
-29.39%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.27PKR 1,184
$5.18PKR 1,436
-17.57%
Apples(1kg)
$0.43PKR 119
$1.19PKR 329
-63.87%
Banana(1kg)
$0.34PKR 94.8
$0.85PKR 236
-60.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.55PKR 154
$1.27PKR 352
-56.69%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.37PKR 104
$0.57PKR 157
-35.09%
Potato(1kg)
$0.34PKR 94.8
$0.38PKR 107
-10.53%
Onion(1kg)
$0.28PKR 78.4
$0.49PKR 135
-42.86%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.19PKR 53.6
$0.33PKR 92.3
-42.42%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.29PKR 80.9
$0.42PKR 117
-30.95%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.88PKR 521
$15.90PKR 4,406
-88.18%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.18PKR 327
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97PKR 822
$2.44PKR 677
21.72%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.18PKR 604
$1.94PKR 539
12.37%
🚌 Getting Around
Rahim Yar Khan
Rawalpindi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.10PKR 28.55
$0.19PKR 53.2
-47.37%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$10.07PKR 2,789
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.74PKR 204
$0.94PKR 261
-21.28%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.35PKR 96.5
$0.34PKR 93.9
2.94%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.30PKR 638
$3.14PKR 869
-26.75%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.06PKR 293
$1.17PKR 323
-9.40%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.7KPKR 6.9M
$17.7KPKR 4.9M
40.04%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.1KPKR 6.4M
$24.0KPKR 6.7M
-3.90%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rahim Yar Khan
Rawalpindi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$145PKR 40.1K
$112PKR 31.1K
29.10%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.06PKR 1,401
$5.76PKR 1,594
-12.15%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.28PKR 3,957
$18.29PKR 5,067
-21.92%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Rahim Yar Khan
Rawalpindi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$9.72PKR 2,694
$11.83PKR 3,278
-17.84%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.20PKR 5,042
$6.79PKR 1,881
168.04%
Cinema Ticket
$4.33PKR 1,200
$4.30PKR 1,191
0.70%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Rahim Yar Khan
Rawalpindi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$19.49PKR 5,399
$48.80PKR 13.5K
-60.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,018PKR 281.9K
$852PKR 235.9K
19.49%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Rahim Yar Khan
Rawalpindi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$10.96PKR 3,037
$20.89PKR 5,787
-47.53%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$17.70PKR 4,905
$28.53PKR 7,903
-37.96%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.1PKR 25.8K
$93.5PKR 25.9K
-0.40%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$26.00PKR 7,202
$35.66PKR 9,879
-27.09%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Rahim Yar Khan
Rawalpindi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$126PKR 35.0K
$201PKR 55.7K
-37.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$91.1PKR 25.2K
$82.3PKR 22.8K
10.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$273PKR 75.6K
$430PKR 119.1K
-36.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$180PKR 50.0K
$226PKR 62.6K
-20.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$549PKR 152.2K
$1,149PKR 318.2K
-52.18%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$450PKR 124.6K
$517PKR 143.2K
-12.98%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Rahim Yar Khan
Rawalpindi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$90.8PKR 25.2K
$173PKR 48.0K
-47.60%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.5
22.81
-45.20%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Rahim Yar Khan: September 5, 2026
Last update for Rawalpindi: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $126 in Rahim Yar Khan and $201 in Rawalpindi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Rawalpindi pays 91% 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 Rahim Yar Khan vs $16.00 in Rawalpindi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $67.0 vs $103 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 14% 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 91% 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: $126 in Rahim Yar Khan versus $201 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 53% higher in Rawalpindi. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How much does it cost to live in Rahim Yar Khan compared to Rawalpindi?
All in, you'll spend $440 per month in Rahim Yar Khan versus $503 in Rawalpindi – a 14% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
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 14% 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