😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $427 in Rawalpindi versus $367 in Shivamogga.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $665 in Rawalpindi versus $594 in Shivamogga.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $902 in Rawalpindi versus $820 in Shivamogga.
😐Living in Rawalpindi is roughly 16% more expensive than Shivamogga, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Rawalpindi68% lower, Shivamogga73% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Rawalpindi
Shivamogga
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.75PKR 485
$3.15₹300
-44.44%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.18PKR 3,942
$15.08₹1,434
-5.97%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.18PKR 1,441
$5.09₹484
1.77%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.56PKR 435
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.42PKR 951
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.67PKR 464
$1.28₹122
30.47%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.34PKR 95.4
$0.36₹33.76
-5.56%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21PKR 58.1
$0.21₹19.96
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.26₹119
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.88₹274
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Rawalpindi
Shivamogga
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.80PKR 221
$0.56₹53.7
42.86%
White Bread(500g)
$0.56PKR 156
$0.50₹47.81
12.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.29PKR 358
$0.79₹74.7
63.29%
Eggs
$1.17PKR 326
$0.83₹78.9
40.96%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.08PKR 1,690
$4.39₹417
38.50%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.33PKR 926
$3.22₹306
3.42%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.52PKR 1,256
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$0.99PKR 275
$2.16₹205
-54.17%
Banana(1kg)
$0.64PKR 178
$0.71₹67.7
-9.86%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.92PKR 256
$0.55₹51.9
67.27%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.51PKR 141
$0.40₹37.60
27.50%
Potato(1kg)
$0.36PKR 100
$0.39₹36.94
-7.69%
Onion(1kg)
$0.49PKR 136
$0.43₹41.22
13.95%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.24PKR 66.7
$0.24₹22.89
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40PKR 110
$0.43₹40.53
-6.98%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$16.38PKR 4,554
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.02PKR 285
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28PKR 635
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.90PKR 530
$3.39₹322
-43.95%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$6.68₹635
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.99₹94.0
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.76₹167
-
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
-
$4.44₹423
-
🚌 Getting Around
Rawalpindi
Shivamogga
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.20PKR 55.9
$0.28₹26.45
-28.57%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.52PKR 2,646
$8.54₹812
11.48%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.84PKR 234
$1.18₹112
-28.81%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.33PKR 91.0
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.07PKR 854
$2.30₹219
33.48%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.91PKR 254
$1.19₹113
-23.53%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.4KPKR 4.9M
$11.4K₹1.1M
53.33%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.9KPKR 6.4M
$31.6K₹3.0M
-27.55%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Rawalpindi
Shivamogga
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$100PKR 27.9K
$23.61₹2,245
324.74%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.12PKR 1,146
$1.99₹190
107.04%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.38PKR 4,555
$8.91₹847
83.84%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Rawalpindi
Shivamogga
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$10.15PKR 2,821
$8.10₹771
25.31%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.73PKR 2,150
$7.10₹675
8.87%
Cinema Ticket
$3.61PKR 1,005
$2.45₹233
47.35%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Rawalpindi
Shivamogga
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$40.70PKR 11.3K
$50.5₹4,799
-19.36%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$965PKR 268.4K
$1,873₹178.1K
-48.46%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Rawalpindi
Shivamogga
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$11.77PKR 3,273
$33.35₹3,171
-64.71%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$18.65PKR 5,184
$28.54₹2,714
-34.65%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.8PKR 25.0K
$50.6₹4,809
77.60%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$28.17PKR 7,832
$24.01₹2,283
17.33%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Rawalpindi
Shivamogga
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$133PKR 37.0K
$125₹11.9K
6.39%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$65.5PKR 18.2K
$86.6₹8,232
-24.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$333PKR 92.6K
$279₹26.6K
19.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$172PKR 47.9K
$178₹16.9K
-3.14%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,130PKR 314.2K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$511PKR 142.1K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Rawalpindi
Shivamogga
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$173PKR 48.2K
$342₹32.5K
-49.22%
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: June 6, 2026
Last update for Shivamogga: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $133 in Rawalpindi and $125 in Shivamogga. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Shivamogga pays 97% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $14.00 in Rawalpindi vs $15.00 in Shivamogga for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $95.0 vs $96.0 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 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 16% in total monthly costs ($427 vs $367 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 97% 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: $133 in Rawalpindi versus $125 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 $427 per month in Rawalpindi versus $367 in Shivamogga – a 16% 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 16% 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