😐A single person spends $437 per month in Rawalpindi vs $325 in Bikaner, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $671 per month in Rawalpindi vs $526 in Bikaner, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $905 per month in Rawalpindi vs $728 in Bikaner, rent included.
😐Rawalpindi costs about 35% more than Bikaner, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Rawalpindi and Bikaner are more affordable than the global median – Rawalpindi67% lower, Bikaner76% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Rawalpindi
Bikaner
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.82PKR 505
$3.46₹333
-47.40%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$13.95PKR 3,873
$8.27₹797
68.68%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.40PKR 1,499
$2.62₹253
106.11%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.56PKR 433
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.53PKR 980
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.71PKR 474
$1.31₹127
30.53%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31PKR 87.1
$0.36₹34.68
-13.89%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23PKR 63.9
$0.14₹13.27
64.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.17₹113
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.70₹357
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Rawalpindi
Bikaner
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.86PKR 239
$0.50₹47.93
72.00%
White Bread(500g)
$0.53PKR 146
$0.44₹42.45
20.45%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.30PKR 361
$0.77₹74.5
68.83%
Eggs
$1.12PKR 312
$0.93₹90.1
20.43%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.03PKR 1,674
$5.53₹533
9.04%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.43PKR 953
$3.10₹299
10.65%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.40PKR 1,221
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$1.01PKR 280
$1.81₹174
-44.20%
Banana(1kg)
$0.69PKR 191
$0.49₹47.35
40.82%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.85PKR 236
$0.56₹54.5
51.79%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.47PKR 129
$0.59₹57.3
-20.34%
Potato(1kg)
$0.34PKR 94.1
$0.27₹26.21
25.93%
Onion(1kg)
$0.52PKR 145
$0.39₹37.92
33.33%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.24PKR 66.0
$0.39₹37.70
-38.46%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.39PKR 109
$0.35₹33.96
11.43%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$16.04PKR 4,454
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.99PKR 274
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.40PKR 666
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.91PKR 531
$3.54₹341
-46.05%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$4.06₹392
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.59₹153
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.74₹361
-
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
-
$3.46₹334
-
🚌 Getting Around
Rawalpindi
Bikaner
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.20PKR 56.1
$1.08₹104
-81.48%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.52PKR 2,645
$8.84₹852
7.69%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.86PKR 240
$0.64₹62.1
34.37%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.32PKR 89.7
$0.24₹23.20
33.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.92PKR 811
$1.41₹136
107.09%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.97PKR 270
$1.24₹119
-21.77%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KPKR 4.9M
$8,801₹848.7K
100.48%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.8KPKR 6.3M
$10.4K₹1.0M
118.96%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rawalpindi
Bikaner
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$104PKR 28.8K
$24.09₹2,323
330.43%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.04PKR 1,121
$3.23₹311
25.08%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.63PKR 4,618
$7.93₹765
109.71%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Rawalpindi
Bikaner
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$9.97PKR 2,768
$16.91₹1,631
-41.04%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.43PKR 2,062
$1.71₹165
334.50%
Cinema Ticket
$3.47PKR 964
$3.28₹316
5.79%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Rawalpindi
Bikaner
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$40.20PKR 11.2K
$58.1₹5,605
-30.83%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$948PKR 263.3K
$1,305₹125.8K
-27.32%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Rawalpindi
Bikaner
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$11.90PKR 3,304
$24.25₹2,339
-50.93%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$18.45PKR 5,124
$24.37₹2,350
-24.29%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.5PKR 24.9K
$32.43₹3,127
175.98%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$29.00PKR 8,052
$30.82₹2,972
-5.91%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Rawalpindi
Bikaner
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$133PKR 36.8K
$65.0₹6,272
103.84%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$65.1PKR 18.1K
$31.60₹3,047
106.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$330PKR 91.6K
$174₹16.8K
89.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$171PKR 47.4K
$114₹10.9K
50.40%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,176PKR 326.5K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$518PKR 143.8K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Rawalpindi
Bikaner
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$175PKR 48.5K
$293₹28.3K
-40.49%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
20.17
7
188.14%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Rawalpindi: July 14, 2026
Last update for Bikaner: July 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $133 in Rawalpindi versus $65.0 in Bikaner. 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 68% higher in Bikaner, 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 $14.00 in Rawalpindi versus $8.00 in Bikaner. Groceries tell a different story – $95.0 in Rawalpindi vs $96.0 in Bikaner – so Rawalpindi 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
Rawalpindi vs Bikaner: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Rawalpindi or Bikaner?
Rawalpindi costs about 35% more than Bikaner, 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 Rawalpindi and in Bikaner?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $656 per month in Rawalpindi and $487 in Bikaner. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Rawalpindi or Bikaner?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Bikaner, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Rawalpindi and in Bikaner?
Kindergarten costs $40.20 per month in Rawalpindi and $58.1 in Bikaner. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Rawalpindi or in Bikaner?
Interestingly, groceries are about 2% cheaper in Rawalpindi – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $800/month in Rawalpindi or in Bikaner?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $437 in Rawalpindi and $325 in Bikaner, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Bikaner – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Should I move to Rawalpindi or to Bikaner?
If budget matters most, go with Bikaner. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Rawalpindi makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Rawalpindi vs other spots: cost of living compared