😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $449 in Shillong versus $414 in Multan.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $696 in Shillong versus $613 in Multan.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $944 in Shillong versus $812 in Multan.
😐Living in Shillong is roughly 8% more expensive than Multan, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Shillong67% lower, Multan69% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Shillong
Multan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.39₹133
$2.18PKR 606
-36.24%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.66₹1,016
$8.58PKR 2,386
24.24%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.56₹434
$5.19PKR 1,444
-12.14%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.72PKR 478
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.20PKR 891
-
Cappuccino
$1.18₹112
$1.43PKR 398
-17.48%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36₹34.42
$0.28PKR 77.0
28.57%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.12₹11.37
$0.20PKR 55.0
-40.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.43₹136
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.29₹313
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Shillong
Multan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.65₹61.9
$0.58PKR 163
12.07%
White Bread(500g)
$0.37₹34.80
$0.60PKR 168
-38.33%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.52₹49.58
$1.04PKR 290
-50.00%
Eggs
$0.85₹81.2
$1.08PKR 300
-21.30%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.41₹420
$4.93PKR 1,371
-10.55%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.32₹316
$2.57PKR 716
29.18%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$3.03PKR 842
-
Apples(1kg)
$1.85₹176
$1.01PKR 282
83.17%
Banana(1kg)
$0.75₹71.9
$0.68PKR 188
10.29%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.92₹87.6
$0.58PKR 160
58.62%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.60₹57.3
$0.51PKR 143
17.65%
Potato(1kg)
$0.31₹29.61
$0.38PKR 104
-18.42%
Onion(1kg)
$0.36₹34.14
$0.43PKR 119
-16.28%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.37₹35.09
$0.57PKR 157
-35.09%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.17₹15.80
$0.36PKR 99.4
-52.78%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
-
$1.85PKR 515
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.54PKR 428
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.94PKR 539
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.08₹389
$1.97PKR 549
107.11%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.63₹441
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.53₹146
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.81₹267
-
-
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
$4.21₹401
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Shillong
Multan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30₹28.77
$0.17PKR 47.97
76.47%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.88₹846
$7.26PKR 2,019
22.31%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.76₹72.8
$1.03PKR 286
-26.21%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$0.31PKR 85.4
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.48₹141
$1.38PKR 384
7.25%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.15₹110
$0.95PKR 266
21.05%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$13.9K₹1.3M
$22.4KPKR 6.2M
-37.75%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.0K₹1.7M
$21.9KPKR 6.1M
-17.95%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Shillong
Multan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$39.75₹3,786
$103PKR 28.6K
-61.35%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.31₹315
$4.84PKR 1,348
-31.61%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$5.70₹543
$13.62PKR 3,790
-58.15%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Shillong
Multan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$4.59₹437
$17.96PKR 4,997
-74.44%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.93₹565
$12.52PKR 3,484
-52.64%
Cinema Ticket
$2.98₹284
$2.64PKR 734
12.88%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Shillong
Multan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$32.18₹3,065
$36.00PKR 10.0K
-10.61%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,908₹181.7K
$1,755PKR 488.3K
8.69%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Shillong
Multan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$25.38₹2,418
$16.34PKR 4,547
55.32%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.62₹3,393
$27.87PKR 7,752
27.81%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$45.79₹4,361
$70.9PKR 19.7K
-35.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$42.26₹4,025
$29.24PKR 8,136
44.53%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Shillong
Multan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$254₹24.2K
$85.3PKR 23.7K
197.32%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$158₹15.0K
$58.6PKR 16.3K
169.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$466₹44.4K
$178PKR 49.4K
162.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$319₹30.4K
$126PKR 34.9K
153.96%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Shillong
Multan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$438₹41.7K
$180PKR 50.0K
143.90%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.38
17.43
-57.66%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Shillong: May 31, 2026
Last update for Multan: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $254 in Shillong and $85.3 in Multan. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Shillong pays 144% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $11.00 in Shillong vs $9.00 in Multan for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $94.0 vs $80.0 per month, with Multan 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
Shillong vs Multan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Multan cheaper than Shillong?
Multan is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Getting Around. The 8% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Shillong or Multan?
Shillong pays 144% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Shillong and Multan?
Rent for a central apartment: $254 in Shillong versus $85.3 in Multan. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $32.18 in Shillong versus $36.00 in Multan. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do food prices compare in Shillong and Multan?
Supermarket bills run roughly 17% higher in Shillong. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is $1,000 enough for either Shillong or Multan?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Multan gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is it better to live in Shillong or Multan?
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.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Multan gentler on the wallet – expenses run 8% less than in Shillong. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.