For one person, living is cheaper in Pakistan: $483 a month against $1,146 in Taiwan, rent and utilities included – about $8,000 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Taiwan and in Pakistan actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,146 in Taiwan versus $483 in Pakistan.
Taiwan $1,146
Pakistan $483
Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,885 in Taiwan versus $736 in Pakistan.
Taiwan $1,885
Pakistan $736
Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,625 in Taiwan versus $988 in Pakistan.
Taiwan $2,625
Pakistan $988
📏
Internal cost variation is higher in Taiwan: monthly costs span $768 to $1,330, compared to $291–$607 in Pakistan. City choice carries more weight in Taiwan.
🌍
Living in Taiwan is roughly 137% more expensive than in Pakistan on average.
📊
Both countries sit below the global median: Taiwan 16% lower, Pakistan 65% lower.
Currency
No currencies found
🍽 Eating Out
Taiwan
Pakistan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.73NT$153
$2.11PKR 582
124.17%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.54NT$989
$13.97PKR 3,863
118.61%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.32NT$172
$5.50PKR 1,522
-3.27%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.22PKR 615
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.31PKR 1,192
-
Cappuccino
$2.87NT$92.8
$1.97PKR 545
45.69%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.95NT$30.87
$0.38PKR 105
150.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.63NT$20.54
$0.23PKR 63.6
173.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.79NT$57.9
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.43NT$78.6
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Taiwan
Pakistan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$3.00NT$97.2
$0.87PKR 239
244.83%
White Bread(500g)
$1.87NT$60.5
$0.60PKR 165
211.67%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.04NT$98.5
$1.21PKR 334
151.24%
Eggs
$2.51NT$81.2
$1.21PKR 333
107.44%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$17.94NT$581
$5.42PKR 1,499
231.00%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.54NT$276
$2.83PKR 782
201.77%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$20.08NT$650
$5.06PKR 1,399
296.84%
Apples(1kg)
$4.69NT$152
$1.20PKR 331
290.83%
Banana(1kg)
$2.59NT$84.0
$0.64PKR 176
304.69%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.91NT$94.1
$0.87PKR 241
234.48%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.68NT$119
$0.54PKR 148
581.48%
Potato(1kg)
$2.68NT$86.9
$0.33PKR 91.7
712.12%
Onion(1kg)
$2.16NT$69.9
$0.39PKR 108
453.85%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.12NT$68.7
$0.37PKR 104
472.97%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.11NT$36.06
$0.41PKR 113
170.73%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
-
$2.08PKR 574
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.07PKR 296
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.36PKR 652
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.74NT$121
$2.14PKR 593
74.77%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.39NT$401
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.58NT$51.2
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17NT$70.3
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Taiwan
Pakistan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.64NT$20.66
$0.20PKR 55.0
220.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$36.59NT$1,185
$10.01PKR 2,766
265.53%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.74NT$88.7
$0.88PKR 243
211.36%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.80NT$25.75
$0.56PKR 155
42.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.32NT$302
$2.22PKR 613
319.82%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.03NT$33.33
$1.29PKR 357
-20.16%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.6KNT$1.2M
$17.8KPKR 4.9M
105.65%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.9KNT$740.4K
$24.3KPKR 6.7M
-6.07%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Taiwan
Pakistan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.2NT$2,694
$110PKR 30.5K
-24.57%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.05NT$552
$5.41PKR 1,494
215.16%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.05NT$746
$15.79PKR 4,365
45.98%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Taiwan
Pakistan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$35.90NT$1,162
$18.50PKR 5,115
94.05%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.42NT$370
$11.09PKR 3,065
2.98%
Cinema Ticket
$10.12NT$328
$4.32PKR 1,194
134.26%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Taiwan
Pakistan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$557NT$18.0K
$56.4PKR 15.6K
888.50%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.9KNT$514.1K
$1,511PKR 417.9K
950.38%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Taiwan
Pakistan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.6NT$2,028
$17.56PKR 4,855
256.61%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.83NT$1,031
$23.58PKR 6,518
34.99%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$82.1NT$2,660
$76.7PKR 21.2K
7.12%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$102NT$3,296
$35.08PKR 9,698
190.19%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Taiwan
Pakistan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$506NT$16.4K
$150PKR 41.5K
237.43%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$319NT$10.3K
$87.4PKR 24.2K
264.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,092NT$35.4K
$320PKR 88.6K
240.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$762NT$24.7K
$190PKR 52.5K
301.30%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$6,711NT$217.3K
$970PKR 268.3K
591.63%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,605NT$149.1K
$520PKR 143.9K
784.65%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Taiwan
Pakistan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,709NT$55.4K
$192PKR 53.1K
789.68%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
2.45
14.1
-82.62%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Taiwan: October 24, 2026
Last update for Pakistan: October 25, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
🛒Groceries & Markets
Taiwan
$368 32.1%
Pakistan
$94 19.5% ↓ 74.5%$274
🏠Accommodation & Living
Taiwan
$319 27.8%
Pakistan
$87 18.1% ↓ 72.6%$231
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Taiwan
$125 10.9%
Pakistan
$69 14.3% ↓ 45.1%$56
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Taiwan
$123 10.8%
Pakistan
$131 27.2% ↑ 6.6%$8.2
🍽Eating Out
Taiwan
$108 9.5%
Pakistan
$59 12.3% ↓ 45.1%$49
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Taiwan
$56 4.9%
Pakistan
$27 5.6% ↓ 51.6%$29
🚌Getting Around
Taiwan
$46 4%
Pakistan
$14 3% ↓ 68.4%$31
🛒Groceries & Markets
Taiwan
$860 32.8%
Pakistan
$228 23% ↓ 73.6%$633
🏠Accommodation & Living
Taiwan
$762 29%
Pakistan
$190 19.2% ↓ 75.1%$572
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Taiwan
$278 10.6%
Pakistan
$153 15.5% ↓ 45.1%$125
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Taiwan
$140 5.4%
Pakistan
$137 13.9% ↓ 2.5%$3.5
🍽Eating Out
Taiwan
$367 14%
Pakistan
$186 18.9% ↓ 49.2%$180
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Taiwan
$124 4.7%
Pakistan
$65 6.6% ↓ 47.2%$58
🚌Getting Around
Taiwan
$93 3.5%
Pakistan
$29 3% ↓ 68.4%$64
Cost Breakdown
🏠National rent averages: $426 in Taiwan, $137 in Pakistan. Capital cities: $961 in Taipei vs $261 in Islamabad.
💰National salary averages: $1,861 in Taiwan, $185 in Pakistan. Higher pay doesn’t always mean more spending money – weigh income against local costs.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 211% higher in Taiwan.
⭐Dining out costs 138% more in Taiwan.
⭐Public transport is 200% more expensive in Taiwan.
⭐Salaries are about 10 times higher in Taiwan, and purchasing power comes out stronger in Taiwan.
Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.
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
Taiwan vs Pakistan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost difference between Pakistan and Taiwan?
At $483 per month in Pakistan and $1,146 in Taiwan, Pakistan comes out about 58% cheaper. Keep in mind it varies by city – the difference can be bigger or smaller depending on where you settle within each country.
Which country is cheaper for everyday spending?
Day-to-day life is cheaper in Pakistan: lower grocery prices, cheaper commutes, and more affordable meals out. Over time, those daily savings make a real difference to your monthly budget and ability to put money away.
Which country has higher housing costs?
Rent for a central one-bedroom averages $426 in Taiwan and $137 in Pakistan. Rents vary a lot between cities, so the gap depends on where you settle.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget in Pakistan or in Taiwan?
In Pakistan, $1,000 covers most cities easily; in Taiwan it stretches only to regional areas and falls short in the capital – you’ll need to make trade-offs on housing or lifestyle.
Should I move to Pakistan or to Taiwan?
It depends on what you’re after: Pakistan wins on affordability, while salaries, visas, language, and lifestyle can tip the balance either way.