😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $452 in Sheikhupura versus $431 in Rawalpindi.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $670 in Sheikhupura versus $665 in Rawalpindi.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $887 in Sheikhupura versus $899 in Rawalpindi.
🌍Living in Sheikhupura is roughly 5% more expensive than in Rawalpindi, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Sheikhupura66% lower, Rawalpindi68% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.78PKR 772
$1.79PKR 497
55.31%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.03PKR 3,895
$14.27PKR 3,960
-1.68%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.39PKR 1,497
$5.26PKR 1,460
2.47%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.80PKR 499
$1.60PKR 445
12.50%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.96PKR 1,099
$3.42PKR 950
15.79%
Cappuccino
$2.05PKR 568
$1.66PKR 460
23.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42PKR 118
$0.34PKR 95.5
23.53%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.22PKR 60.9
$0.21PKR 58.0
4.76%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.54PKR 150
$0.79PKR 219
-31.65%
White Bread(500g)
$0.54PKR 151
$0.56PKR 156
-3.57%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.04PKR 287
$1.30PKR 361
-20.00%
Eggs
$1.21PKR 337
$1.14PKR 316
6.14%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.17PKR 1,711
$5.98PKR 1,660
3.18%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$1.75PKR 487
$3.26PKR 906
-46.32%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$2.88PKR 799
$4.47PKR 1,240
-35.57%
Apples(1kg)
$1.03PKR 286
$1.02PKR 283
0.98%
Banana(1kg)
$0.77PKR 214
$0.63PKR 175
22.22%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.91PKR 251
$0.84PKR 233
8.33%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.55PKR 153
$0.50PKR 139
10.00%
Potato(1kg)
$0.42PKR 116
$0.37PKR 102
13.51%
Onion(1kg)
$0.57PKR 158
$0.52PKR 144
9.62%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.31PKR 84.8
$0.26PKR 72.8
19.23%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.37PKR 104
$0.40PKR 110
-7.50%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.42PKR 393
$15.96PKR 4,429
-91.10%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.88PKR 243
$1.02PKR 284
-13.73%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95PKR 540
$2.37PKR 658
-17.72%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.07PKR 575
$1.92PKR 533
7.81%
🚌 Getting Around
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.17PKR 46.80
$0.20PKR 56.6
-15.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$6.99PKR 1,939
$9.59PKR 2,663
-27.11%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.89PKR 248
$0.85PKR 235
4.71%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.43PKR 120
$0.32PKR 90.0
34.37%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.87PKR 798
$3.09PKR 858
-7.12%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.90PKR 251
$0.95PKR 264
-5.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.6KPKR 6.0M
$17.5KPKR 4.9M
23.48%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2KPKR 7.3M
$22.9KPKR 6.4M
14.46%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$113PKR 31.5K
$101PKR 28.0K
12.59%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.46PKR 1,517
$3.96PKR 1,100
37.88%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.60PKR 5,163
$16.35PKR 4,537
13.76%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$12.62PKR 3,502
$9.86PKR 2,737
27.99%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.90PKR 1,638
$7.42PKR 2,060
-20.49%
Cinema Ticket
$4.19PKR 1,163
$3.57PKR 990
17.37%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$59.8PKR 16.6K
$40.97PKR 11.4K
45.94%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,088PKR 302.1K
$963PKR 267.2K
13.05%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$21.69PKR 6,021
$11.74PKR 3,258
84.75%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.57PKR 7,652
$18.96PKR 5,263
45.41%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$86.9PKR 24.1K
$89.7PKR 24.9K
-3.09%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$39.70PKR 11.0K
$29.12PKR 8,081
36.33%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$75.0PKR 20.8K
$133PKR 36.9K
-43.67%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$51.0PKR 14.2K
$66.5PKR 18.5K
-23.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$168PKR 46.7K
$334PKR 92.8K
-49.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$108PKR 29.9K
$173PKR 48.1K
-37.88%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$859PKR 238.3K
$1,133PKR 314.6K
-24.25%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$531PKR 147.4K
$510PKR 141.6K
4.06%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$176PKR 48.7K
-
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: July 27, 2026
Last update for Rawalpindi: July 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $75.0 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 $80.0 vs $94.0 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 in Rawalpindi?
Sheikhupura and Rawalpindi differ by about 5% in total monthly costs ($452 vs $431 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 $678 in Sheikhupura and $646 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 in Rawalpindi?
Rent for a central apartment: $75.0 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 $452 per month in Sheikhupura versus $431 in Rawalpindi – a 5% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How far does $1,200 go in Sheikhupura compared to 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 5% 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