😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $423 in Rawalpindi versus $371 in Shivamogga.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $670 in Rawalpindi versus $606 in Shivamogga.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $917 in Rawalpindi versus $841 in Shivamogga.
😐Living in Rawalpindi is roughly 14% more expensive than Shivamogga, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Rawalpindi68% lower, Shivamogga72% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Rawalpindi
Shivamogga
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.75PKR 488
$3.29₹311
-46.81%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.30PKR 3,990
$15.24₹1,442
-6.17%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.38PKR 1,503
$5.18₹490
3.86%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.63PKR 455
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.53PKR 986
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.71PKR 477
$1.33₹126
28.57%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31PKR 87.9
$0.35₹33.56
-11.43%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21PKR 58.4
$0.23₹21.79
-8.70%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.26₹119
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.99₹283
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Rawalpindi
Shivamogga
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.85PKR 238
$0.54₹50.7
57.41%
White Bread(500g)
$0.52PKR 144
$0.47₹44.39
10.64%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.29PKR 360
$0.74₹70.5
74.32%
Eggs
$1.18PKR 329
$0.84₹79.8
40.48%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.18PKR 1,726
$4.40₹417
40.45%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.44PKR 960
$3.18₹301
8.18%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.46PKR 1,246
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$1.00PKR 280
$2.12₹200
-52.83%
Banana(1kg)
$0.64PKR 177
$0.69₹64.9
-7.25%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.86PKR 239
$0.54₹51.5
59.26%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.48PKR 134
$0.42₹40.10
14.29%
Potato(1kg)
$0.36PKR 101
$0.42₹39.56
-14.29%
Onion(1kg)
$0.49PKR 136
$0.47₹44.07
4.26%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.24PKR 66.4
$0.24₹22.85
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.36PKR 101
$0.42₹39.75
-14.29%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$15.92PKR 4,443
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.99PKR 278
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.30PKR 643
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.94PKR 541
$3.59₹339
-45.96%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$6.74₹638
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.98₹92.9
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.77₹167
-
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
-
$4.56₹432
-
🚌 Getting Around
Rawalpindi
Shivamogga
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.18PKR 50.8
$0.28₹26.26
-35.71%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.95PKR 2,777
$8.61₹814
15.56%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.84PKR 234
$1.18₹111
-28.81%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.35PKR 98.3
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.07PKR 857
$2.38₹225
28.99%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.97PKR 271
$1.15₹109
-15.65%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.6KPKR 4.9M
$11.4K₹1.1M
53.99%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.2KPKR 6.5M
$32.8K₹3.1M
-29.32%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rawalpindi
Shivamogga
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$103PKR 28.7K
$23.55₹2,228
336.43%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.95PKR 1,102
$1.96₹186
101.53%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.31PKR 4,551
$8.50₹804
91.88%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Rawalpindi
Shivamogga
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$9.99PKR 2,788
$8.31₹786
20.22%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.52PKR 2,100
$6.86₹649
9.62%
Cinema Ticket
$3.64PKR 1,016
$2.37₹224
53.59%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Rawalpindi
Shivamogga
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$39.91PKR 11.1K
$51.8₹4,900
-22.94%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$953PKR 266.0K
$1,916₹181.3K
-50.25%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Rawalpindi
Shivamogga
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$11.64PKR 3,250
$33.58₹3,178
-65.34%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$18.40PKR 5,137
$28.68₹2,713
-35.84%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$88.8PKR 24.8K
$52.0₹4,922
70.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$28.47PKR 7,947
$23.65₹2,237
20.38%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Rawalpindi
Shivamogga
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$130PKR 36.3K
$122₹11.5K
6.68%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$64.5PKR 18.0K
$86.0₹8,134
-24.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$327PKR 91.3K
$273₹25.8K
20.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$174PKR 48.5K
$178₹16.8K
-2.34%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,159PKR 323.4K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$522PKR 145.6K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Rawalpindi
Shivamogga
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$174PKR 48.4K
$422₹39.9K
-58.90%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
20.17
8.47
138.13%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Rawalpindi: April 27, 2026
Last update for Shivamogga: April 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $130 in Rawalpindi and $122 in Shivamogga. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Shivamogga pays 143% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $14 in Rawalpindi vs $15 in Shivamogga for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $95 vs $95 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 Shivamogga: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Rawalpindi and Shivamogga?
Rawalpindi and Shivamogga differ by about 14% in total monthly costs ($423 vs $371 including rent). Shivamogga is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Shivamogga earns 143% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Rawalpindi and Shivamogga?
Rent for a central apartment: $130 in Rawalpindi versus $122 in Shivamogga. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Shivamogga – a meal for two runs $15.00 versus $14.00 in Rawalpindi. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Rawalpindi or Shivamogga?
All in, you'll spend $423 per month in Rawalpindi versus $371 in Shivamogga – a 14% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How far does $800 go in Rawalpindi vs Shivamogga?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Shivamogga 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 Shivamogga?
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.
Is Rawalpindi or Shivamogga safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Rawalpindi and Shivamogga are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Rawalpindi or Shivamogga?
Expats usually find Shivamogga gentler on the wallet – expenses run 14% 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