😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $429 in Rawalpindi versus $416 in Jaranwala.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $679 in Rawalpindi versus $640 in Jaranwala.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $929 in Rawalpindi versus $863 in Jaranwala.
😐Living in Rawalpindi is roughly 3% more expensive than Jaranwala, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Rawalpindi68% lower, Jaranwala69% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Rawalpindi
Jaranwala
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.78PKR 496
$1.74PKR 484
2.30%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.22PKR 3,957
$14.11PKR 3,925
0.78%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.29PKR 1,470
$5.16PKR 1,435
2.52%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.54PKR 429
$1.55PKR 430
-0.65%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.40PKR 947
$3.41PKR 948
-0.29%
Cappuccino
$1.73PKR 481
$1.73PKR 480
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32PKR 88.9
$0.34PKR 94.9
-5.88%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23PKR 64.2
$0.21PKR 58.3
9.52%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Rawalpindi
Jaranwala
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.79PKR 219
$0.78PKR 218
1.28%
White Bread(500g)
$0.57PKR 158
$0.55PKR 154
3.64%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.23PKR 343
$1.24PKR 345
-0.81%
Eggs
$1.12PKR 311
$1.17PKR 325
-4.27%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.09PKR 1,693
$6.08PKR 1,692
0.16%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.39PKR 944
$3.39PKR 943
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.57PKR 1,271
$4.51PKR 1,255
1.33%
Apples(1kg)
$1.02PKR 283
$1.01PKR 281
0.99%
Banana(1kg)
$0.67PKR 186
$0.67PKR 187
-
Oranges(1kg)
$0.92PKR 257
$0.90PKR 250
2.22%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.47PKR 132
$0.51PKR 142
-7.84%
Potato(1kg)
$0.33PKR 93.2
$0.36PKR 101
-8.33%
Onion(1kg)
$0.52PKR 144
$0.48PKR 134
8.33%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.26PKR 72.7
$0.26PKR 72.8
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.37PKR 102
$0.40PKR 111
-7.50%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$16.44PKR 4,573
$1.34PKR 371
1126.87%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.04PKR 288
$1.02PKR 285
1.96%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.41PKR 669
$2.38PKR 662
1.26%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.90PKR 528
$1.93PKR 536
-1.55%
🚌 Getting Around
Rawalpindi
Jaranwala
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.18PKR 49.36
$0.18PKR 50.9
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.89PKR 2,751
$7.19PKR 2,000
37.55%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.91PKR 253
$0.89PKR 248
2.25%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.35PKR 97.5
$0.40PKR 112
-12.50%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.97PKR 826
$3.05PKR 849
-2.62%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.96PKR 267
$0.90PKR 251
6.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.0KPKR 5.0M
$18.0KPKR 5.0M
0.04%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.8KPKR 6.3M
$22.8KPKR 6.4M
-0.34%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rawalpindi
Jaranwala
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$100PKR 28.0K
$103PKR 28.6K
-2.11%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.99PKR 1,111
$4.01PKR 1,116
-0.50%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.64PKR 4,630
$16.50PKR 4,591
0.85%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Rawalpindi
Jaranwala
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$10.14PKR 2,821
$12.58PKR 3,498
-19.40%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.67PKR 2,135
$5.87PKR 1,634
30.66%
Cinema Ticket
$3.60PKR 1,003
$3.63PKR 1,010
-0.83%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Rawalpindi
Jaranwala
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$39.75PKR 11.1K
$40.35PKR 11.2K
-1.49%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$962PKR 267.6K
$943PKR 262.2K
2.06%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Rawalpindi
Jaranwala
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$11.80PKR 3,282
$11.65PKR 3,240
1.29%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$18.84PKR 5,242
$18.66PKR 5,191
0.96%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$87.8PKR 24.4K
$88.1PKR 24.5K
-0.30%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$28.38PKR 7,896
$28.43PKR 7,908
-0.18%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Rawalpindi
Jaranwala
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$130PKR 36.1K
$74.3PKR 20.7K
74.67%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$66.4PKR 18.5K
$51.2PKR 14.3K
29.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$324PKR 90.1K
$170PKR 47.2K
90.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$173PKR 48.1K
$107PKR 29.7K
62.05%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,173PKR 326.4K
$861PKR 239.6K
36.20%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$516PKR 143.6K
$462PKR 128.4K
11.76%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Rawalpindi
Jaranwala
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$171PKR 47.6K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
20.17
20.17
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Rawalpindi: June 1, 2026
Last update for Jaranwala: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $130 in Rawalpindi and $74.3 in Jaranwala. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $14.00 in Rawalpindi vs $14.00 in Jaranwala for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $95.0 vs $95.0 per month, with Rawalpindi 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
Rawalpindi vs Jaranwala: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Rawalpindi and Jaranwala?
Rawalpindi and Jaranwala differ by about 3% in total monthly costs ($429 vs $416 including rent). Jaranwala is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Rawalpindi compared to Jaranwala?
You'd need roughly $644 in Rawalpindi and $624 in Jaranwala to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Rawalpindi and Jaranwala?
Rent for a central apartment: $130 in Rawalpindi versus $74.3 in Jaranwala. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Rawalpindi or Jaranwala?
All in, you'll spend $429 per month in Rawalpindi versus $416 in Jaranwala – a 3% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Rawalpindi and Jaranwala?
A monthly transit pass in Jaranwala runs roughly 38% less than in Rawalpindi. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How far does $1,200 go in Rawalpindi vs Jaranwala?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Jaranwala 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 Rawalpindi and Jaranwala?
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: Rawalpindi or Jaranwala?
Expats usually find Jaranwala gentler on the wallet – expenses run 3% less than in Rawalpindi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Rawalpindi vs other spots: cost of living compared