😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $506 in Sargodha versus $457 in Karachi.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $783 in Sargodha versus $728 in Karachi.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,060 in Sargodha versus $999 in Karachi.
🌍Living in Sargodha is roughly 11% more expensive than in Karachi, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Sargodha63% lower, Karachi67% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sargodha
Karachi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.59PKR 996
$2.20PKR 612
63.18%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.32PKR 6,470
$14.33PKR 3,976
62.74%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.33PKR 1,479
$5.27PKR 1,463
1.14%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.54PKR 981
$2.14PKR 594
65.42%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.82PKR 1,891
$7.36PKR 2,041
-7.34%
Cappuccino
$2.45PKR 680
$2.20PKR 610
11.36%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35PKR 97.9
$0.33PKR 92.4
6.06%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.22PKR 61.0
$0.23PKR 63.4
-4.35%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sargodha
Karachi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.92PKR 256
$0.89PKR 248
3.37%
White Bread(500g)
$0.79PKR 219
$0.52PKR 145
51.92%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.27PKR 353
$1.24PKR 345
2.42%
Eggs
$1.31PKR 363
$1.21PKR 335
8.26%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.96PKR 1,652
$6.19PKR 1,716
-3.72%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.15PKR 874
$3.03PKR 841
3.96%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.13PKR 1,423
$6.11PKR 1,696
-16.04%
Apples(1kg)
$1.29PKR 359
$1.22PKR 340
5.74%
Banana(1kg)
$0.88PKR 243
$0.55PKR 153
60.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.07PKR 296
$0.98PKR 272
9.18%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.46PKR 126
$0.59PKR 164
-22.03%
Potato(1kg)
$0.27PKR 74.6
$0.34PKR 95.2
-20.59%
Onion(1kg)
$0.32PKR 89.9
$0.31PKR 85.3
3.23%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.27PKR 74.6
$0.39PKR 109
-30.77%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.39PKR 108
$0.43PKR 121
-9.30%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.78PKR 494
$1.25PKR 347
42.40%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.34PKR 371
$1.32PKR 365
1.52%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.44PKR 678
$2.48PKR 687
-1.61%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.37PKR 658
$1.79PKR 496
32.40%
🚌 Getting Around
Sargodha
Karachi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.17PKR 47.62
$0.28PKR 77.6
-39.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.01PKR 2,776
$8.20PKR 2,275
22.07%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.22PKR 339
$0.74PKR 205
64.86%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.75PKR 207
$0.70PKR 195
7.14%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.59PKR 442
$2.20PKR 609
-27.73%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27PKR 351
$1.33PKR 369
-4.51%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.6KPKR 6.0M
$18.0KPKR 5.0M
19.58%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.5KPKR 7.1M
$27.6KPKR 7.6M
-7.58%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sargodha
Karachi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$103PKR 28.4K
$104PKR 28.8K
-1.22%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.62PKR 1,559
$5.88PKR 1,631
-4.42%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.28PKR 4,516
$12.86PKR 3,567
26.59%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sargodha
Karachi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$15.67PKR 4,346
$20.32PKR 5,637
-22.88%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.66PKR 5,177
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.00PKR 1,388
$4.40PKR 1,222
13.64%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sargodha
Karachi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$75.0PKR 20.8K
$50.4PKR 14.0K
48.88%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,010PKR 280.1K
$1,375PKR 381.5K
-26.57%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sargodha
Karachi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$24.37PKR 6,761
$14.81PKR 4,109
64.55%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.85PKR 8,835
$21.90PKR 6,076
45.43%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$82.6PKR 22.9K
$65.2PKR 18.1K
26.67%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$39.86PKR 11.1K
$35.81PKR 9,933
11.31%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sargodha
Karachi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$126PKR 34.8K
$111PKR 30.8K
13.05%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$78.2PKR 21.7K
$70.9PKR 19.7K
10.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$251PKR 69.6K
$297PKR 82.3K
-15.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$151PKR 41.9K
$180PKR 49.9K
-16.02%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$903PKR 250.5K
$976PKR 270.9K
-7.52%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$508PKR 141.0K
$467PKR 129.6K
8.78%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sargodha
Karachi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$180PKR 50.0K
$182PKR 50.4K
-0.93%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.08
12.88
1.55%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sargodha: September 1, 2026
Last update for Karachi: August 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $126 in Sargodha and $111 in Karachi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Karachi pays 1% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $23.00 in Sargodha vs $14.00 in Karachi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $102 vs $101 per month, with Karachi 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
Sargodha vs Karachi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Sargodha and in Karachi?
Sargodha and Karachi differ by about 11% in total monthly costs ($506 vs $457 including rent). Karachi is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 1% lower in Karachi. 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 Sargodha and in Karachi?
Rent for a central apartment: $126 in Sargodha versus $111 in Karachi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Sargodha or Karachi?
All in, you'll spend $506 per month in Sargodha versus $457 in Karachi – a 11% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Sargodha and in Karachi?
A monthly transit pass in Karachi runs roughly 22% less than in Sargodha. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How far does $1,200 go in Sargodha compared to Karachi?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Karachi 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 Sargodha and Karachi?
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.
Where should expats move: Sargodha or Karachi?
Expats usually find Karachi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 11% less than in Sargodha. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.