😐A single person spends $423 per month in Rawalpindi vs $385 in Gilgit, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $670 per month in Rawalpindi vs $583 in Gilgit, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $917 per month in Rawalpindi vs $780 in Gilgit, rent included.
😐Rawalpindi costs about 10% more than Gilgit, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Rawalpindi and Gilgit are more affordable than the global median – Rawalpindi68% lower, Gilgit71% lower.
Moneda
🍽 Eating Out
Rawalpindi
Gilgit
Diferencia
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.75PKR 487
$1.81PKR 505
-3.31%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.30PKR 3,985
$10.79PKR 3,008
32.53%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.38PKR 1,501
$4.14PKR 1,155
29.95%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.63PKR 454
$1.81PKR 503
-9.94%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.53PKR 985
$3.62PKR 1,008
-2.49%
Cappuccino
$1.71PKR 477
$1.43PKR 400
19.58%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31PKR 87.8
$0.32PKR 88.8
-3.13%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21PKR 58.3
$0.23PKR 64.4
-8.70%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Rawalpindi
Gilgit
Diferencia
Milk(1 liter)
$0.85PKR 238
$0.72PKR 200
18.06%
White Bread(500g)
$0.52PKR 144
$0.59PKR 165
-11.86%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.29PKR 360
$1.15PKR 321
12.17%
Eggs
$1.18PKR 329
$1.24PKR 346
-4.84%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.18PKR 1,724
$3.95PKR 1,100
56.46%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.44PKR 959
$3.00PKR 837
14.67%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.46PKR 1,244
$3.61PKR 1,006
23.55%
Apples(1kg)
$1.00PKR 280
$0.51PKR 143
96.08%
Banana(1kg)
$0.64PKR 177
$0.51PKR 142
25.49%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.86PKR 239
$0.65PKR 181
32.31%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.48PKR 134
$0.52PKR 144
-7.69%
Potato(1kg)
$0.36PKR 101
$0.35PKR 97.2
2.86%
Onion(1kg)
$0.49PKR 136
$0.60PKR 169
-18.33%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.24PKR 66.3
$0.33PKR 92.3
-27.27%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.36PKR 101
$0.47PKR 132
-23.40%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$15.92PKR 4,437
$1.23PKR 344
1194.31%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.99PKR 277
$0.92PKR 257
7.61%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.30PKR 643
$1.99PKR 553
15.58%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.94PKR 541
$1.91PKR 532
1.57%
🚌 Getting Around
Rawalpindi
Gilgit
Diferencia
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.18PKR 50.8
$0.20PKR 57.0
-10.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.95PKR 2,774
$6.89PKR 1,920
44.41%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.84PKR 234
$0.86PKR 240
-2.33%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.35PKR 98.2
$0.44PKR 122
-20.45%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.07PKR 856
$1.74PKR 484
76.44%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.97PKR 271
$0.97PKR 270
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KPKR 4.9M
$21.4KPKR 6.0M
-17.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.2KPKR 6.5M
$23.1KPKR 6.4M
0.30%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rawalpindi
Gilgit
Diferencia
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$103PKR 28.7K
$103PKR 28.7K
-0.20%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.95PKR 1,101
$1.93PKR 538
104.66%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.31PKR 4,545
$13.63PKR 3,799
19.66%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Rawalpindi
Gilgit
Diferencia
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$9.99PKR 2,784
$12.33PKR 3,438
-18.98%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.52PKR 2,097
$5.97PKR 1,663
25.96%
Cinema Ticket
$3.64PKR 1,015
$3.62PKR 1,009
0.55%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Rawalpindi
Gilgit
Diferencia
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$39.91PKR 11.1K
$14.35PKR 4,001
178.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$953PKR 265.7K
$1,116PKR 311.2K
-14.62%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Rawalpindi
Gilgit
Diferencia
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$11.64PKR 3,246
$14.95PKR 4,168
-22.14%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$18.40PKR 5,131
$22.52PKR 6,277
-18.29%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$88.8PKR 24.8K
$68.8PKR 19.2K
29.06%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$28.47PKR 7,937
$29.02PKR 8,091
-1.90%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Rawalpindi
Gilgit
Diferencia
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$130PKR 36.2K
$75.9PKR 21.1K
71.29%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$64.5PKR 18.0K
$52.3PKR 14.6K
23.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$327PKR 91.2K
$169PKR 47.2K
93.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$174PKR 48.5K
$104PKR 29.0K
67.10%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,159PKR 323.0K
$813PKR 226.7K
42.45%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$522PKR 145.4K
$584PKR 162.8K
-10.65%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Rawalpindi
Gilgit
Diferencia
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$174PKR 48.4K
$179PKR 50.0K
-3.32%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
20.17
19
6.16%
Los datos de CityCost se basan en IA y aportaciones de usuarios. Puede haber pequeñas variaciones.
Última actualización para Rawalpindi: April 27, 2026
Última actualización para Gilgit: April 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $130 in Rawalpindi versus $75.9 in Gilgit. 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 3% higher in Gilgit, 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 $11.00 in Gilgit. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $95.0 vs $80.0 – making Gilgit the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
Comparación de velocidades medias de internet por ciudad (actualizado April 2026)
El gráfico resalta el umbral de precisión para velocidades de internet móvil y fija, actualizado trimestralmente.
Índice del coste de vida para nómadas digitales
Rawalpindi vs Gilgit: Coste de vida - preguntas frecuentes
Which city is more expensive, Rawalpindi or Gilgit?
Rawalpindi costs about 10% more than Gilgit, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 vs Gilgit?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $635 per month in Rawalpindi and $578 in Gilgit. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Rawalpindi or Gilgit?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Gilgit, 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 Rawalpindi or Gilgit?
Groceries cost about 18% more in Rawalpindi, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
How do dining costs compare in Rawalpindi vs Gilgit?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $14.00 in Rawalpindi and $11.00 in Gilgit. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Can you live on $800/month in Rawalpindi or Gilgit?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $423 in Rawalpindi and $385 in Gilgit, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Gilgit – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Rawalpindi compared to Gilgit?
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 Rawalpindi or Gilgit?
If budget matters most, go with Gilgit. 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