😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $446 in Sheikhupura versus $427 in Rawalpindi.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $671 in Sheikhupura versus $665 in Rawalpindi.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $895 in Sheikhupura versus $902 in Rawalpindi.
😐Living in Sheikhupura is roughly 4% more expensive than Rawalpindi, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Sheikhupura67% lower, Rawalpindi68% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.75PKR 764
$1.75PKR 485
57.14%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.25PKR 3,963
$14.18PKR 3,942
0.49%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.39PKR 1,499
$5.18PKR 1,441
4.05%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.80PKR 500
$1.56PKR 435
15.38%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.84PKR 1,066
$3.42PKR 951
12.28%
Cappuccino
$2.06PKR 574
$1.67PKR 464
23.35%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42PKR 118
$0.34PKR 95.4
23.53%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.22PKR 60.9
$0.21PKR 58.1
4.76%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.55PKR 154
$0.80PKR 221
-31.25%
White Bread(500g)
$0.52PKR 144
$0.56PKR 156
-7.14%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.04PKR 288
$1.29PKR 358
-19.38%
Eggs
$1.21PKR 337
$1.17PKR 326
3.42%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.19PKR 1,720
$6.08PKR 1,690
1.81%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$1.75PKR 487
$3.33PKR 926
-47.45%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$2.76PKR 767
$4.52PKR 1,256
-38.94%
Apples(1kg)
$1.04PKR 289
$0.99PKR 275
5.05%
Banana(1kg)
$0.83PKR 230
$0.64PKR 178
29.69%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.96PKR 268
$0.92PKR 256
4.35%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.59PKR 165
$0.51PKR 141
15.69%
Potato(1kg)
$0.42PKR 116
$0.36PKR 100
16.67%
Onion(1kg)
$0.54PKR 149
$0.49PKR 136
10.20%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.33PKR 92.0
$0.24PKR 66.7
37.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40PKR 111
$0.40PKR 110
-
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.41PKR 392
$16.38PKR 4,554
-91.39%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.88PKR 243
$1.02PKR 285
-13.73%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96PKR 546
$2.28PKR 635
-14.04%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.13PKR 593
$1.90PKR 530
12.11%
🚌 Getting Around
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.16PKR 44.85
$0.20PKR 55.9
-20.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$6.90PKR 1,919
$9.52PKR 2,646
-27.52%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.92PKR 256
$0.84PKR 234
9.52%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.44PKR 121
$0.33PKR 91.0
33.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.88PKR 800
$3.07PKR 854
-6.19%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.96PKR 267
$0.91PKR 254
5.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.3KPKR 5.9M
$17.4KPKR 4.9M
22.29%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2KPKR 7.3M
$22.9KPKR 6.4M
14.73%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$111PKR 31.0K
$100PKR 27.9K
11.11%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.65PKR 1,572
$4.12PKR 1,146
37.14%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.78PKR 5,221
$16.38PKR 4,555
14.65%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$12.25PKR 3,406
$10.15PKR 2,821
20.69%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.06PKR 1,684
$7.73PKR 2,150
-21.60%
Cinema Ticket
$4.20PKR 1,167
$3.61PKR 1,005
16.34%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$59.0PKR 16.4K
$40.70PKR 11.3K
45.01%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,125PKR 312.7K
$965PKR 268.4K
16.48%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$21.70PKR 6,032
$11.77PKR 3,273
84.37%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.77PKR 7,722
$18.65PKR 5,184
48.90%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$88.8PKR 24.7K
$89.8PKR 25.0K
-1.10%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$39.37PKR 10.9K
$28.17PKR 7,832
39.76%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$76.2PKR 21.2K
$133PKR 37.0K
-42.77%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$52.9PKR 14.7K
$65.5PKR 18.2K
-19.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$167PKR 46.5K
$333PKR 92.6K
-49.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$106PKR 29.5K
$172PKR 47.9K
-38.48%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,035PKR 287.8K
$1,130PKR 314.2K
-8.38%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$537PKR 149.4K
$511PKR 142.1K
5.13%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$173PKR 48.2K
-
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: June 7, 2026
Last update for Rawalpindi: June 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $76.2 in Sheikhupura and $133 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 $81.0 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 4% in total monthly costs ($446 vs $427 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 $669 in Sheikhupura and $641 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: $76.2 in Sheikhupura versus $133 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 $446 per month in Sheikhupura versus $427 in Rawalpindi – a 4% 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 4% 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