😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $451 in Sheikhupura versus $423 in Rawalpindi.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $663 in Sheikhupura versus $670 in Rawalpindi.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $876 in Sheikhupura versus $917 in Rawalpindi.
😐Living in Sheikhupura is roughly 7% more expensive than Rawalpindi, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Sheikhupura66% lower, Rawalpindi68% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.89PKR 805
$1.75PKR 487
65.14%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.39PKR 4,011
$14.30PKR 3,985
0.63%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.43PKR 1,514
$5.38PKR 1,501
0.93%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.73PKR 483
$1.63PKR 454
6.13%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.90PKR 1,088
$3.53PKR 985
10.48%
Cappuccino
$2.08PKR 581
$1.71PKR 477
21.64%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43PKR 120
$0.31PKR 87.8
38.71%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.24PKR 67.0
$0.21PKR 58.3
14.29%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.55PKR 153
$0.85PKR 238
-35.29%
White Bread(500g)
$0.55PKR 154
$0.52PKR 144
5.77%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.09PKR 303
$1.29PKR 360
-15.50%
Eggs
$1.21PKR 338
$1.18PKR 329
2.54%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.34PKR 1,768
$6.18PKR 1,724
2.59%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$1.82PKR 508
$3.44PKR 959
-47.09%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$2.90PKR 807
$4.46PKR 1,244
-34.98%
Apples(1kg)
$1.01PKR 281
$1.00PKR 280
1.00%
Banana(1kg)
$0.78PKR 216
$0.64PKR 177
21.88%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.96PKR 267
$0.86PKR 239
11.63%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.57PKR 158
$0.48PKR 134
18.75%
Potato(1kg)
$0.39PKR 109
$0.36PKR 101
8.33%
Onion(1kg)
$0.58PKR 161
$0.49PKR 136
18.37%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.33PKR 92.0
$0.24PKR 66.3
37.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.38PKR 105
$0.36PKR 101
5.56%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.39PKR 387
$15.92PKR 4,437
-91.27%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.92PKR 257
$0.99PKR 277
-7.07%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96PKR 547
$2.30PKR 643
-14.78%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.06PKR 575
$1.94PKR 541
6.19%
🚌 Getting Around
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.20PKR 54.7
$0.18PKR 50.8
11.11%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$6.95PKR 1,937
$9.95PKR 2,774
-30.15%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.85PKR 238
$0.84PKR 234
1.19%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.41PKR 114
$0.35PKR 98.2
17.14%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.88PKR 803
$3.07PKR 856
-6.19%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.91PKR 254
$0.97PKR 271
-6.19%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2KPKR 5.9M
$17.6KPKR 4.9M
20.46%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.6KPKR 7.4M
$23.2KPKR 6.5M
14.77%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$111PKR 30.9K
$103PKR 28.7K
7.93%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.53PKR 1,543
$3.95PKR 1,101
40.00%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.40PKR 5,129
$16.31PKR 4,545
12.81%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$12.31PKR 3,430
$9.99PKR 2,784
23.22%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.83PKR 1,624
$7.52PKR 2,097
-22.47%
Cinema Ticket
$4.14PKR 1,155
$3.64PKR 1,015
13.74%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$60.7PKR 16.9K
$39.91PKR 11.1K
52.04%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,102PKR 307.1K
$953PKR 265.7K
15.60%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$21.06PKR 5,870
$11.64PKR 3,246
80.93%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.26PKR 7,877
$18.40PKR 5,131
53.59%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$86.8PKR 24.2K
$88.8PKR 24.8K
-2.25%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$40.58PKR 11.3K
$28.47PKR 7,937
42.54%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$73.8PKR 20.6K
$130PKR 36.2K
-43.22%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$50.9PKR 14.2K
$64.5PKR 18.0K
-21.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$166PKR 46.2K
$327PKR 91.2K
-49.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$108PKR 30.2K
$174PKR 48.5K
-37.77%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$761PKR 212.1K
$1,159PKR 323.0K
-34.31%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$613PKR 170.9K
$522PKR 145.4K
17.53%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$174PKR 48.4K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
20.2
20.17
0.15%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sheikhupura: April 26, 2026
Last update for Rawalpindi: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $73.8 in Sheikhupura and $130 in Rawalpindi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $14.00 in Sheikhupura vs $14.00 in Rawalpindi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $82.0 vs $95.0 per month, with Sheikhupura 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
Sheikhupura vs Rawalpindi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Sheikhupura and Rawalpindi?
Sheikhupura and Rawalpindi differ by about 7% in total monthly costs ($451 vs $423 including rent). Rawalpindi 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 Rawalpindi?
You'd need roughly $676 in Sheikhupura and $635 in Rawalpindi 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 Rawalpindi?
Rent for a central apartment: $73.8 in Sheikhupura versus $130 in Rawalpindi. 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 Rawalpindi – a meal for two runs $14.00 versus $14.00 in Sheikhupura. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Sheikhupura or Rawalpindi?
All in, you'll spend $451 per month in Sheikhupura versus $423 in Rawalpindi – a 7% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How far does $1,200 go in Sheikhupura vs Rawalpindi?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Rawalpindi 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 Rawalpindi?
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 Rawalpindi?
Expats usually find Rawalpindi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 7% less than in Sheikhupura. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Sheikhupura vs other spots: cost of living compared