Cost of Living Comparison Between Rawalpindi and Kakinada Cost of Living Comparison Between Rawalpindi and Kakinada

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $429 per month in Rawalpindi vs $370 in Kakinada, rent included.

A couple spends around $679 per month in Rawalpindi vs $588 in Kakinada, rent included.

A family of three spends $929 per month in Rawalpindi vs $806 in Kakinada, rent included.

Rawalpindi costs about 16% more than Kakinada, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Rawalpindi and Kakinada are more affordable than the global median – Rawalpindi 68% lower, Kakinada 72% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Rawalpindi
Kakinada
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.78 PKR 496
$1.71 ₹163
4.09%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.22 PKR 3,957
$11.85 ₹1,129
20.00%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.29 PKR 1,470
$4.31 ₹411
22.74%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.54 PKR 429
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.40 PKR 947
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.73 PKR 481
$3.92 ₹373
-55.87%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32 PKR 88.9
$0.46 ₹43.67
-30.43%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23 PKR 64.2
$0.15 ₹13.90
53.33%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.38 ₹132
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.34 ₹223
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Rawalpindi
Kakinada
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.79 PKR 219
$0.61 ₹58.5
29.51%
White Bread (500g)
$0.57 PKR 158
$0.57 ₹53.8
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.23 PKR 343
$0.64 ₹61.3
92.19%
Eggs
$1.12 PKR 311
$0.81 ₹77.4
38.27%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.09 PKR 1,693
$4.39 ₹418
38.72%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.39 PKR 944
$2.95 ₹281
14.92%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.57 PKR 1,271
-
-
Apples (1kg)
$1.02 PKR 283
$2.18 ₹208
-53.21%
Banana (1kg)
$0.67 PKR 186
$0.86 ₹82.0
-22.09%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.92 PKR 257
$0.87 ₹83.0
5.75%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.47 PKR 132
$0.49 ₹46.41
-4.08%
Potato (1kg)
$0.33 PKR 93.2
$0.38 ₹36.07
-13.16%
Onion (1kg)
$0.52 PKR 145
$0.38 ₹36.59
36.84%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.26 PKR 72.7
$0.63 ₹60.4
-58.73%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.37 PKR 102
$0.34 ₹32.35
8.82%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$16.44 PKR 4,573
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.04 PKR 288
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.41 PKR 669
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.90 PKR 528
$3.93 ₹374
-51.65%
Wine (Bottle)
-
$5.91 ₹563
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.57 ₹244
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.20 ₹305
-
Buffalo Round (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) (1kg)
-
$4.18 ₹398
-
🚌 Getting Around
Rawalpindi
Kakinada
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.18 PKR 49.37
$0.36 ₹34.38
-50.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$9.89 PKR 2,751
$8.92 ₹850
10.87%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.91 PKR 253
$1.32 ₹126
-31.06%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.35 PKR 97.5
$0.23 ₹21.98
52.17%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.97 PKR 826
$2.39 ₹228
24.27%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.96 PKR 267
$1.28 ₹122
-25.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.0K PKR 5.0M
$17.2K ₹1.6M
4.56%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.8K PKR 6.3M
$22.5K ₹2.1M
1.10%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rawalpindi
Kakinada
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$100 PKR 28.0K
$27.91 ₹2,658
260.01%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.99 PKR 1,111
$2.72 ₹259
46.69%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.64 PKR 4,630
$5.73 ₹546
190.40%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Rawalpindi
Kakinada
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$10.14 PKR 2,821
$15.82 ₹1,507
-35.90%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.67 PKR 2,135
$6.91 ₹658
11.00%
Cinema Ticket
$3.60 PKR 1,003
$2.34 ₹223
53.85%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Rawalpindi
Kakinada
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$39.75 PKR 11.1K
$30.40 ₹2,895
30.76%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$962 PKR 267.7K
$1,370 ₹130.5K
-29.79%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Rawalpindi
Kakinada
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$11.80 PKR 3,282
$10.43 ₹993
13.14%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$18.84 PKR 5,243
$8.70 ₹829
116.55%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$87.8 PKR 24.4K
$17.18 ₹1,636
411.00%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$28.38 PKR 7,897
$14.68 ₹1,398
93.32%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Rawalpindi
Kakinada
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$130 PKR 36.1K
$78.9 ₹7,513
64.41%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$66.4 PKR 18.5K
$76.9 ₹7,322
-13.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$324 PKR 90.1K
$183 ₹17.5K
76.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$173 PKR 48.1K
$180 ₹17.2K
-4.13%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,173 PKR 326.4K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$516 PKR 143.6K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Rawalpindi
Kakinada
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$171 PKR 47.6K
$518 ₹49.3K
-66.97%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
20.17
9
124.11%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Rawalpindi: June 1, 2026

Last update for Kakinada: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $130 in Rawalpindi versus $78.9 in Kakinada. 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 203% higher in Kakinada, 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 $12.00 in Kakinada. Groceries tell a different story – $95.0 in Rawalpindi vs $107 in Kakinada – 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 Kakinada: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Rawalpindi or Kakinada?
Rawalpindi costs about 16% more than Kakinada, 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 vs Kakinada?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $644 per month in Rawalpindi and $554 in Kakinada. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Rawalpindi or Kakinada?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kakinada, 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 Kakinada?
Kindergarten costs $39.75 per month in Rawalpindi and $30.40 in Kakinada. 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 Kakinada?
Interestingly, groceries are about 13% 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 Kakinada?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $429 in Rawalpindi and $370 in Kakinada, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Kakinada – 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 Kakinada?
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 Kakinada?
If budget matters most, go with Kakinada. 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.

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