😐A single person spends $431 per month in Rawalpindi vs $335 in Mandi Bahauddin, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $665 per month in Rawalpindi vs $519 in Mandi Bahauddin, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $899 per month in Rawalpindi vs $704 in Mandi Bahauddin, rent included.
😐Rawalpindi costs about 29% more than Mandi Bahauddin, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Rawalpindi and Mandi Bahauddin are more affordable than the global median – Rawalpindi68% lower, Mandi Bahauddin75% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Rawalpindi
Mandi Bahauddin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.79PKR 497
$1.75PKR 487
2.29%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.27PKR 3,960
$8.92PKR 2,475
59.98%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.26PKR 1,460
$3.43PKR 953
53.35%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.60PKR 445
$2.87PKR 797
-44.25%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.42PKR 950
$4.79PKR 1,330
-28.60%
Cappuccino
$1.66PKR 460
$1.04PKR 289
59.62%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.34PKR 95.5
$0.33PKR 91.9
3.03%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21PKR 58.0
$0.22PKR 60.7
-4.55%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Rawalpindi
Mandi Bahauddin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.79PKR 219
$0.70PKR 194
12.86%
White Bread(500g)
$0.56PKR 156
$0.40PKR 112
40.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.30PKR 361
$1.26PKR 350
3.17%
Eggs
$1.14PKR 316
$1.20PKR 334
-5.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.98PKR 1,660
$6.00PKR 1,665
-0.33%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.26PKR 906
$2.70PKR 748
20.74%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.47PKR 1,240
$3.18PKR 883
40.57%
Apples(1kg)
$1.02PKR 283
$0.98PKR 273
4.08%
Banana(1kg)
$0.63PKR 175
$0.59PKR 164
6.78%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.84PKR 233
$0.65PKR 181
29.23%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.50PKR 139
$0.53PKR 147
-5.66%
Potato(1kg)
$0.37PKR 102
$0.37PKR 104
-
Onion(1kg)
$0.52PKR 144
$0.50PKR 140
4.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.26PKR 72.8
$0.63PKR 175
-58.73%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40PKR 110
$0.42PKR 117
-4.76%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$15.96PKR 4,429
$0.97PKR 269
1545.36%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.02PKR 284
$0.74PKR 204
37.84%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.37PKR 658
$2.02PKR 562
17.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.92PKR 533
$1.88PKR 521
2.13%
🚌 Getting Around
Rawalpindi
Mandi Bahauddin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.20PKR 56.6
$0.20PKR 54.3
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.59PKR 2,663
$7.17PKR 1,990
33.75%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.85PKR 235
$1.08PKR 299
-21.30%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.32PKR 90.0
$0.53PKR 147
-39.62%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.09PKR 858
$1.81PKR 502
70.72%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95PKR 264
$0.99PKR 276
-4.04%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.5KPKR 4.9M
$22.4KPKR 6.2M
-21.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.9KPKR 6.4M
$21.0KPKR 5.8M
8.80%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rawalpindi
Mandi Bahauddin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$101PKR 28.0K
$58.7PKR 16.3K
71.55%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.96PKR 1,100
$3.82PKR 1,061
3.66%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.35PKR 4,537
$12.95PKR 3,594
26.25%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Rawalpindi
Mandi Bahauddin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$9.86PKR 2,737
$12.48PKR 3,465
-20.99%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.42PKR 2,060
$6.08PKR 1,687
22.04%
Cinema Ticket
$3.57PKR 990
$3.47PKR 964
2.88%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Rawalpindi
Mandi Bahauddin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$40.97PKR 11.4K
$28.69PKR 7,963
42.80%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$963PKR 267.2K
$1,142PKR 316.9K
-15.69%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Rawalpindi
Mandi Bahauddin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$11.74PKR 3,258
$16.05PKR 4,455
-26.85%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$18.96PKR 5,263
$21.67PKR 6,014
-12.51%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.7PKR 24.9K
$61.3PKR 17.0K
46.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$29.12PKR 8,081
$26.36PKR 7,316
10.47%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Rawalpindi
Mandi Bahauddin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$133PKR 36.9K
$74.9PKR 20.8K
77.62%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$66.5PKR 18.5K
$51.5PKR 14.3K
29.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$334PKR 92.8K
$166PKR 46.0K
101.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$173PKR 48.1K
$106PKR 29.4K
63.94%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,133PKR 314.6K
$915PKR 253.9K
23.92%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$510PKR 141.6K
$500PKR 138.8K
2.03%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Rawalpindi
Mandi Bahauddin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$176PKR 48.7K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
20.17
18
12.06%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Rawalpindi: July 26, 2026
Last update for Mandi Bahauddin: July 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $133 in Rawalpindi versus $74.9 in Mandi Bahauddin. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $14.00 in Rawalpindi versus $9.00 in Mandi Bahauddin. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $94.0 vs $85.0 – making Mandi Bahauddin the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 Mandi Bahauddin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Rawalpindi or Mandi Bahauddin?
Rawalpindi costs about 29% more than Mandi Bahauddin, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. 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 Mandi Bahauddin?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $646 per month in Rawalpindi and $502 in Mandi Bahauddin. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Rawalpindi or Mandi Bahauddin?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Mandi Bahauddin, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How expensive is transport in Rawalpindi compared to Mandi Bahauddin?
Public transport costs about 34% less in Mandi Bahauddin. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How do childcare costs compare in Rawalpindi and in Mandi Bahauddin?
Kindergarten costs $40.97 per month in Rawalpindi and $28.69 in Mandi Bahauddin. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $800/month in Rawalpindi or in Mandi Bahauddin?
$800 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $431 in Rawalpindi and $335 in Mandi Bahauddin, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Mandi Bahauddin – 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 Mandi Bahauddin?
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 to Mandi Bahauddin?
If budget matters most, go with Mandi Bahauddin. 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