Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Sahiwal and Istanbul

For one person, living is cheaper in Sahiwal: $507 a month against $1,519 in Istanbul, rent and utilities included – about $12,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

24

Cost of Living Index in Sahiwal
Learn more

Sahiwal Living Index
73

Cost of Living Index in Istanbul
Learn more

Istanbul Living Index

Jump to prices

Sahiwal

🇵🇰 Pakistan

$507

/mo nomad

Istanbul

🇹🇷 Turkey

$1,519

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Sahiwal and in Istanbul

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Sahiwal and in Istanbul actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $507 per month in Sahiwal vs $1,519 in Istanbul, rent included.

Sahiwal $507
Istanbul $1,519

A couple spends around $761 per month in Sahiwal vs $2,365 in Istanbul, rent included.

Sahiwal $761
Istanbul $2,365

A family of three spends $1,015 per month in Sahiwal vs $3,212 in Istanbul, rent included.

Sahiwal $1,015
Istanbul $3,212

Sahiwal is about 67% cheaper than Istanbul, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Sahiwal sits 62% below the global median, while Istanbul is 12% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.54 PKR 704

$11.81 ₺591

-78.49%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$14.22 PKR 3,932

$54.9 ₺2,748

-74.10%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.61 PKR 1,552

$9.26 ₺463

-39.42%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.63 PKR 1,005

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.53 PKR 1,530

Cappuccino

$2.52 PKR 697

$4.30 ₺215

-41.40%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.40 PKR 111

$1.77 ₺88.8

-77.40%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.24 PKR 65.9

$0.56 ₺28.26

-57.14%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.69 ₺234

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.12 ₺356

Milk (1 liter)

$0.98 PKR 272

$1.25 ₺62.6

-21.60%

White Bread (500g)

$0.78 PKR 217

$0.88 ₺44.07

-11.36%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.18 PKR 327

$2.20 ₺110

-46.36%

Eggs

$1.16 PKR 320

$2.43 ₺122

-52.26%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.41 PKR 1,773

$10.48 ₺524

-38.84%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.56 PKR 708

$5.31 ₺266

-51.79%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.98 PKR 1,378

$21.10 ₺1,056

-76.40%

Apples (1kg)

$1.18 PKR 327

$1.86 ₺92.9

-36.56%

Banana (1kg)

$0.66 PKR 181

$2.30 ₺115

-71.30%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.91 PKR 252

$1.22 ₺60.8

-25.41%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.59 PKR 162

$1.80 ₺90.0

-67.22%

Potato (1kg)

$0.29 PKR 79.4

$0.69 ₺34.75

-57.97%

Onion (1kg)

$0.39 PKR 107

$0.64 ₺32.09

-39.06%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.45 PKR 124

$1.36 ₺67.8

-66.91%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.34 PKR 94.9

$0.58 ₺28.88

-41.38%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$1.06 PKR 292

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.61 PKR 170

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.65 PKR 457

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.23 PKR 617

$2.34 ₺117

-4.70%

Wine (Bottle)

$13.03 ₺652

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.36 ₺118

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.32 ₺166

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.20 PKR 56.4

$0.88 ₺43.97

-77.27%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$10.00 PKR 2,766

$66.1 ₺3,309

-84.88%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.87 PKR 240

$1.28 ₺64.3

-32.03%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.69 PKR 190

$0.85 ₺42.70

-18.82%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$1.76 PKR 488

$11.09 ₺555

-84.13%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.40 PKR 386

$1.48 ₺73.9

-5.41%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$18.2K PKR 5.0M

$48.6K ₺2.4M

-62.67%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$23.8K PKR 6.6M

$42.0K ₺2.1M

-43.33%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$124 PKR 34.4K

$92.7 ₺4,639

34.23%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$5.52 PKR 1,527

$11.20 ₺560

-50.71%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$16.08 PKR 4,449

$15.89 ₺795

1.20%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$15.10 PKR 4,177

$74.7 ₺3,737

-79.78%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$8.13 PKR 2,250

$22.95 ₺1,149

-64.58%

Cinema Ticket

$4.26 PKR 1,179

$8.05 ₺403

-47.08%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$75.4 PKR 20.9K

$948 ₺47.5K

-92.05%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,016 PKR 557.8K

$36.9K ₺1.8M

-94.54%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$17.94 PKR 4,962

$53.9 ₺2,696

-66.70%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$27.74 PKR 7,673

$41.49 ₺2,076

-33.14%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$72.4 PKR 20.0K

$101 ₺5,049

-28.23%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$32.68 PKR 9,038

$91.3 ₺4,570

-64.21%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$134 PKR 37.2K

$1,014 ₺50.7K

-86.74%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$86.9 PKR 24.0K

$625 ₺31.3K

-86.09%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$272 PKR 75.3K

$2,005 ₺100.4K

-86.42%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$181 PKR 50.0K

$1,126 ₺56.3K

-83.96%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$824 PKR 228.0K

$2,988 ₺149.5K

-72.41%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$494 PKR 136.7K

$1,730 ₺86.6K

-71.43%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,136 ₺56.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

14.05

40.42

-65.24%

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

Last update for Sahiwal: November 1, 2026

Last update for Istanbul: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Sahiwal

$146 28.8%

Istanbul

$120 7.9% 18% $26

Groceries & Markets

Sahiwal

$98 19.3%

Istanbul

$258 17% 164% $160

Accommodation & Living

Sahiwal

$87 17.1%

Istanbul

$625 41.1% 619% $538

Eating Out

Sahiwal

$70 13.8%

Istanbul

$221 14.6% 216% $151

Clothing & Footwear

Sahiwal

$68 13.4%

Istanbul

$129 8.5% 90.8% $62

Sport & Entertainment

Sahiwal

$24 4.7%

Istanbul

$91 6% 284% $67

Getting Around

Sahiwal

$15 3%

Istanbul

$75 5% 397% $60

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $134 in Sahiwal versus $1,014 in Istanbul. 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 in Sahiwal versus $55 in Istanbul. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $98 vs $258 – making Sahiwal the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇵🇰 Sahiwal

🇹🇷 Istanbul

🕒 Local time

02:59 2:59 AM

00:59 12:59 AM

2 h behind Sahiwal

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

389,605

15,701,602

💱 Currency

Pakistani Rupee PKR ₨

Turkish Lira TRY ₺

📈 Exchange rate

1,000 PKR = 3.62 USD

1,000 PKR = 3.22 EUR

100 TRY = 2 USD

100 TRY = 1.78 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

TRY, USD, EUR to PKR – Pakistani Rupee Converter

🇺🇸 United States Dollar ($)

🇵🇰 Pakistani Rupee (₨)

Pakistani Rupee exchange rates as of November 5, 2026: 1 USD = 277 PKR (1,000 PKR = 3.62 USD). 1 EUR = 311 PKR (1,000 PKR = 3.22 EUR).

Turkish Lira exchange rates as of November 5, 2026: 1 USD = 50.04 TRY (100 TRY = 2 USD). 1 EUR = 56.18 TRY (100 TRY = 1.78 EUR).

USD to PKR in detail →

On the map

Lowest

Highest

Between locations

Sahiwal Istanbul 4,090 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight

From you

Sahiwal
Istanbul

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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

Sahiwal vs Istanbul: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Istanbul is pricier by about 199%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $761 per month in Sahiwal and $2,278 in Istanbul. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Sahiwal, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $134 there versus $1,014 in Istanbul.

Kindergarten costs $75 per month in Sahiwal and $948 in Istanbul. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 164% more in Istanbul, though the gap depends on what you buy.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Sahiwal, where all-in costs run around $507, than in Istanbul at $1,519. In Sahiwal it covers expenses comfortably, while in Istanbul it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Sahiwal – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

For expats, Sahiwal is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 67% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.