🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $455 in Sheikhupura versus $482 in Karachi.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $682 in Sheikhupura versus $737 in Karachi.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $909 in Sheikhupura versus $992 in Karachi.
🙂Living in Sheikhupura costs roughly 6% less than in Karachi, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Sheikhupura66% lower, Karachi64% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sheikhupura
Karachi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.79PKR 774
$2.08PKR 578
34.13%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.41PKR 4,005
$12.44PKR 3,458
15.84%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.17PKR 1,437
$4.07PKR 1,131
27.03%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.72PKR 478
$2.00PKR 557
-14.00%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.87PKR 1,075
$5.42PKR 1,506
-28.60%
Cappuccino
$1.98PKR 552
$1.88PKR 524
5.32%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43PKR 119
$0.34PKR 93.2
26.47%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.24PKR 67.0
$0.23PKR 64.0
4.35%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sheikhupura
Karachi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.56PKR 155
$0.80PKR 223
-30.00%
White Bread(500g)
$0.51PKR 143
$0.54PKR 149
-5.56%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.04PKR 289
$1.12PKR 312
-7.14%
Eggs
$1.27PKR 352
$1.18PKR 328
7.63%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.35PKR 1,766
$6.61PKR 1,838
-3.93%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$1.75PKR 486
$3.19PKR 886
-45.14%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$2.77PKR 770
$5.07PKR 1,408
-45.36%
Apples(1kg)
$1.05PKR 291
$1.05PKR 291
-
Banana(1kg)
$0.79PKR 219
$0.56PKR 155
41.07%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.88PKR 244
$0.89PKR 247
-1.12%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.57PKR 158
$0.57PKR 158
-
Potato(1kg)
$0.42PKR 116
$0.35PKR 98.7
20.00%
Onion(1kg)
$0.57PKR 157
$0.47PKR 130
21.28%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.33PKR 92.1
$0.35PKR 98.0
-5.71%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.41PKR 113
$0.41PKR 113
-
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.45PKR 404
$1.27PKR 354
14.17%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.91PKR 253
$1.32PKR 366
-31.06%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95PKR 542
$2.04PKR 568
-4.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.08PKR 579
$2.11PKR 586
-1.42%
🚌 Getting Around
Sheikhupura
Karachi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.16PKR 45.40
$0.36PKR 100
-55.56%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$7.12PKR 1,978
$6.24PKR 1,734
14.10%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.87PKR 241
$0.73PKR 203
19.18%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.40PKR 111
$0.61PKR 171
-34.43%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.78PKR 773
$1.75PKR 487
58.86%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.97PKR 271
$0.88PKR 245
10.23%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.5KPKR 6.0M
$16.6KPKR 4.6M
29.94%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9KPKR 7.2M
$24.5KPKR 6.8M
5.73%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sheikhupura
Karachi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$112PKR 31.0K
$133PKR 36.9K
-16.04%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.47PKR 1,521
$5.11PKR 1,419
7.05%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.56PKR 5,161
$13.67PKR 3,801
35.77%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sheikhupura
Karachi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$12.54PKR 3,486
$15.52PKR 4,315
-19.20%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.82PKR 1,618
$14.45PKR 4,018
-59.72%
Cinema Ticket
$4.16PKR 1,157
$4.21PKR 1,172
-1.19%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sheikhupura
Karachi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$60.8PKR 16.9K
$58.0PKR 16.1K
4.81%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,127PKR 313.3K
$1,384PKR 384.8K
-18.57%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sheikhupura
Karachi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$21.07PKR 5,859
$17.48PKR 4,859
20.54%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.55PKR 7,659
$24.97PKR 6,943
10.33%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$88.4PKR 24.6K
$64.6PKR 18.0K
36.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$40.58PKR 11.3K
$36.19PKR 10.1K
12.13%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sheikhupura
Karachi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$75.5PKR 21.0K
$117PKR 32.6K
-35.70%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$51.7PKR 14.4K
$73.8PKR 20.5K
-30.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$170PKR 47.2K
$312PKR 86.7K
-45.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$104PKR 28.9K
$182PKR 50.5K
-42.67%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$765PKR 212.7K
$929PKR 258.2K
-17.60%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$429PKR 119.4K
$437PKR 121.4K
-1.63%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sheikhupura
Karachi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$176PKR 48.9K
-
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: June 16, 2026
Last update for Karachi: June 16, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $75.5 in Sheikhupura and $117 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 $81.0 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
What is the total cost difference between living in Sheikhupura and Karachi?
Sheikhupura and Karachi differ by about 6% in total monthly costs ($455 vs $482 including rent). Sheikhupura is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Sheikhupura compared to Karachi?
You'd need roughly $682 in Sheikhupura and $723 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.
How do apartment prices compare in Sheikhupura and Karachi?
Rent for a central apartment: $75.5 in Sheikhupura versus $117 in Karachi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Sheikhupura or Karachi?
All in, you'll spend $455 per month in Sheikhupura versus $482 in Karachi – a 6% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Sheikhupura and Karachi?
A monthly transit pass in Sheikhupura runs roughly 14% less than in Karachi. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How far does $1,000 go in Sheikhupura vs Karachi?
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.
How does quality of life compare between Sheikhupura 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: Sheikhupura or Karachi?
Expats usually find Sheikhupura gentler on the wallet – expenses run 6% less than in Karachi. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Sheikhupura vs other spots: cost of living compared