😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $508 in Sheikhupura versus $503 in Rawalpindi.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $784 in Sheikhupura versus $776 in Rawalpindi.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,061 in Sheikhupura versus $1,050 in Rawalpindi.
🌍Living in Sheikhupura is roughly 1% more expensive than in Rawalpindi, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Sheikhupura63% lower, Rawalpindi64% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.51PKR 971
$2.09PKR 580
67.94%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.04PKR 6,384
$16.42PKR 4,548
40.32%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.37PKR 1,489
$5.81PKR 1,611
-7.57%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.55PKR 985
$1.84PKR 511
92.93%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.71PKR 1,860
$3.48PKR 963
92.82%
Cappuccino
$2.41PKR 669
$1.92PKR 532
25.52%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35PKR 97.7
$0.40PKR 111
-12.50%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.22PKR 60.7
$0.25PKR 69.4
-12.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.94PKR 259
$0.86PKR 239
9.30%
White Bread(500g)
$0.79PKR 218
$0.59PKR 163
33.90%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.25PKR 347
$1.20PKR 333
4.17%
Eggs
$1.29PKR 357
$1.15PKR 318
12.17%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.10PKR 1,690
$6.21PKR 1,721
-1.77%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.15PKR 872
$3.47PKR 962
-9.22%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.08PKR 1,407
$5.18PKR 1,436
-1.93%
Apples(1kg)
$1.28PKR 355
$1.19PKR 329
7.56%
Banana(1kg)
$0.83PKR 231
$0.85PKR 236
-2.35%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.03PKR 284
$1.27PKR 352
-18.90%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.46PKR 127
$0.57PKR 157
-19.30%
Potato(1kg)
$0.27PKR 74.3
$0.38PKR 107
-28.95%
Onion(1kg)
$0.36PKR 98.8
$0.49PKR 135
-26.53%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.29PKR 80.6
$0.33PKR 92.3
-12.12%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.39PKR 107
$0.42PKR 117
-7.14%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.84PKR 509
$15.90PKR 4,406
-88.43%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.32PKR 365
$1.18PKR 327
11.86%
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.39PKR 663
$2.44PKR 677
-2.05%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.33PKR 645
$1.94PKR 539
20.10%
🚌 Getting Around
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.20PKR 55.8
$0.19PKR 53.2
5.26%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.65PKR 2,673
$10.07PKR 2,789
-4.17%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.24PKR 345
$0.94PKR 261
31.91%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.70PKR 194
$0.34PKR 93.9
105.88%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.66PKR 459
$3.14PKR 869
-47.13%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27PKR 352
$1.17PKR 323
8.55%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.0KPKR 6.1M
$17.7KPKR 4.9M
24.43%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.0KPKR 6.9M
$24.0KPKR 6.7M
3.83%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$104PKR 28.7K
$112PKR 31.1K
-7.64%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.63PKR 1,560
$5.76PKR 1,594
-2.26%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.42PKR 4,550
$18.29PKR 5,067
-10.22%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$14.89PKR 4,126
$11.83PKR 3,278
25.87%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.79PKR 1,881
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.95PKR 1,372
$4.30PKR 1,191
15.12%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$75.9PKR 21.0K
$48.80PKR 13.5K
55.53%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$998PKR 276.4K
$852PKR 235.9K
17.16%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$24.28PKR 6,727
$20.89PKR 5,787
16.23%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.20PKR 8,921
$28.53PKR 7,903
12.86%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$82.0PKR 22.7K
$93.5PKR 25.9K
-12.26%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$39.16PKR 10.8K
$35.66PKR 9,879
9.81%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$128PKR 35.6K
$201PKR 55.7K
-36.20%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$78.3PKR 21.7K
$82.3PKR 22.8K
-4.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$254PKR 70.4K
$430PKR 119.1K
-40.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$151PKR 41.8K
$226PKR 62.6K
-33.33%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$922PKR 255.5K
$1,149PKR 318.2K
-19.72%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$516PKR 142.8K
$517PKR 143.2K
-0.23%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sheikhupura
Rawalpindi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$173PKR 48.0K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.08
22.81
-42.66%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sheikhupura: September 8, 2026
Last update for Rawalpindi: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $128 in Sheikhupura and $201 in Rawalpindi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $23.00 in Sheikhupura vs $16.00 in Rawalpindi. Groceries flip the comparison at $102 vs $103, 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 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 1% in total monthly costs ($508 vs $503 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 $762 in Sheikhupura and $755 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: $128 in Sheikhupura versus $201 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 $16.00 versus $23.00 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 $508 per month in Sheikhupura versus $503 in Rawalpindi – a 1% 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 1% 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