Cost of Living Comparison Between Sheikhupura and Karachi Cost of Living Comparison Between Sheikhupura and Karachi

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $451 in Sheikhupura versus $476 in Karachi.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $663 in Sheikhupura versus $732 in Karachi.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $876 in Sheikhupura versus $988 in Karachi.

Living in Sheikhupura costs roughly 5% less than in Karachi, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Sheikhupura 66% lower, Karachi 64% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.89 PKR 806

$2.11 PKR 588

36.97%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$14.39 PKR 4,017

$12.18 PKR 3,400

18.14%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.43 PKR 1,516

$4.21 PKR 1,176

28.98%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.73 PKR 483

$1.92 PKR 537

-9.90%

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.90 PKR 1,089

$5.37 PKR 1,498

-27.37%

Cappuccino

$2.08 PKR 581

$1.81 PKR 504

14.92%

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

$0.43 PKR 120

$0.34 PKR 94.3

26.47%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.24 PKR 67.1

$0.21 PKR 58.5

14.29%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.55 PKR 153

$0.84 PKR 235

-34.52%

White Bread (500g)

$0.55 PKR 155

$0.54 PKR 152

1.85%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.09 PKR 303

$1.13 PKR 316

-3.54%

Eggs

$1.21 PKR 338

$1.16 PKR 324

4.31%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$6.34 PKR 1,771

$6.36 PKR 1,774

-0.31%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$1.82 PKR 509

$3.18 PKR 889

-42.77%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$2.90 PKR 808

$5.13 PKR 1,431

-43.47%

Apples (1kg)

$1.01 PKR 281

$1.05 PKR 293

-3.81%

Banana (1kg)

$0.78 PKR 216

$0.58 PKR 163

34.48%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.96 PKR 267

$0.94 PKR 261

2.13%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.57 PKR 159

$0.56 PKR 157

1.79%

Potato (1kg)

$0.39 PKR 109

$0.39 PKR 108

Onion (1kg)

$0.58 PKR 161

$0.47 PKR 131

23.40%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.33 PKR 92.1

$0.36 PKR 99.8

-8.33%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.38 PKR 106

$0.43 PKR 121

-11.63%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$1.39 PKR 388

$1.41 PKR 393

-1.42%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.92 PKR 257

$1.30 PKR 363

-29.23%

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.96 PKR 548

$2.05 PKR 572

-4.39%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.06 PKR 575

$2.18 PKR 609

-5.50%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.20 PKR 54.8

$0.36 PKR 102

-44.44%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$6.95 PKR 1,940

$6.54 PKR 1,825

6.27%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.85 PKR 238

$0.74 PKR 207

14.86%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.41 PKR 114

$0.62 PKR 174

-33.87%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.88 PKR 804

$1.76 PKR 491

63.64%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.91 PKR 255

$0.94 PKR 264

-3.19%

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

$21.2K PKR 5.9M

$16.3K PKR 4.6M

29.60%

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

$26.6K PKR 7.4M

$25.0K PKR 7.0M

6.40%

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

$111 PKR 31.0K

$137 PKR 38.3K

-19.24%

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

$5.53 PKR 1,545

$4.99 PKR 1,392

10.82%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.40 PKR 5,135

$13.58 PKR 3,792

35.49%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$12.31 PKR 3,435

$15.81 PKR 4,413

-22.14%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$5.83 PKR 1,626

$14.27 PKR 3,983

-59.15%

Cinema Ticket

$4.14 PKR 1,156

$4.29 PKR 1,197

-3.50%

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

$60.7 PKR 16.9K

$58.8 PKR 16.4K

3.20%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,102 PKR 307.5K

$1,373 PKR 383.3K

-19.76%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$21.06 PKR 5,877

$17.85 PKR 4,982

17.98%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$28.26 PKR 7,887

$25.82 PKR 7,206

9.45%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$86.8 PKR 24.2K

$64.9 PKR 18.1K

33.65%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$40.58 PKR 11.3K

$36.34 PKR 10.1K

11.67%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$73.8 PKR 20.6K

$120 PKR 33.6K

-38.76%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$50.9 PKR 14.2K

$75.1 PKR 21.0K

-32.21%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$166 PKR 46.2K

$321 PKR 89.6K

-48.41%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$108 PKR 30.2K

$183 PKR 50.9K

-40.71%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$761 PKR 212.4K

$751 PKR 209.5K

1.38%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$613 PKR 171.1K

$465 PKR 129.9K

31.76%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$167 PKR 46.6K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

20.2

17.8

13.48%

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

Last update for Sheikhupura: April 26, 2026

Last update for Karachi: April 28, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $73.8 in Sheikhupura and $120 in Karachi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $14.00 in Sheikhupura vs $12.00 in Karachi. Groceries flip the comparison at $82.0 vs $97.0, with Sheikhupura cheaper for home cooking.

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

Sheikhupura vs Karachi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Sheikhupura and Karachi differ by about 5% in total monthly costs ($451 vs $476 including rent). Sheikhupura is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.

You'd need roughly $676 in Sheikhupura and $714 in Karachi to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.

Rent for a central apartment: $73.8 in Sheikhupura versus $120 in Karachi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

All in, you'll spend $451 per month in Sheikhupura versus $476 in Karachi – a 5% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

A monthly transit pass in Sheikhupura runs roughly 6% less than in Karachi. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Sheikhupura gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

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.

Expats usually find Sheikhupura gentler on the wallet – expenses run 5% less than in Karachi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.