Cost of Living in Peshawar - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $372 monthly including rent, or $259 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $554 with rent, or $430 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $736 including rent, or $601 for daily expenses alone.

Peshawar sits about 74% below the global median. Within Asia, costs are well below average (63% lower) – one of the most affordable options in the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.34 PKR 650
$1.80 PKR 500
$3.61 PKR 1,000
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.75 PKR 2,982
$8.96 PKR 2,484
$14.34 PKR 3,976
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.60 PKR 998
$3.06 PKR 849
$4.31 PKR 1,196
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.43 PKR 397
$0.72 PKR 200
$1.98 PKR 549
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.61 PKR 724
$2.09 PKR 579
$4.53 PKR 1,256
Cappuccino
$1.82 PKR 505
$0.71 PKR 198
$3.56 PKR 987
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.28 PKR 76.7
$0.20 PKR 55.5
$0.37 PKR 103
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.18 PKR 48.94
$0.18 PKR 48.94
$0.34 PKR 95.2
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.81 PKR 225
$0.73 PKR 202
$0.90 PKR 251
White Bread (500g)
$0.57 PKR 158
$0.31 PKR 85.5
$1.70 PKR 473
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.12 PKR 312
$0.73 PKR 201
$1.81 PKR 501
Eggs
$1.19 PKR 329
$0.83 PKR 229
$1.86 PKR 515
Local Cheese (1kg)
$3.38 PKR 938
$1.73 PKR 480
$10.37 PKR 2,876
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.14 PKR 871
$1.21 PKR 335
$4.18 PKR 1,159
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$3.78 PKR 1,049
$2.90 PKR 805
$4.35 PKR 1,206
Apples (1kg)
$1.04 PKR 288
$0.72 PKR 201
$1.15 PKR 319
Banana (1kg)
$0.61 PKR 169
$0.51 PKR 142
$0.85 PKR 236
Oranges (1kg)
$0.92 PKR 254
$0.52 PKR 145
$1.22 PKR 339
Tomato (1kg)
$0.43 PKR 119
$0.20 PKR 56.7
$0.69 PKR 192
Potato (1kg)
$0.40 PKR 110
$0.19 PKR 52.0
$0.44 PKR 121
Onion (1kg)
$0.45 PKR 125
$0.34 PKR 94.8
$0.52 PKR 144
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.24 PKR 66.7
$0.11 PKR 31.88
$0.37 PKR 101
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.32 PKR 88.7
$0.27 PKR 75.3
$0.58 PKR 161
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$0.68 PKR 190
$0.68 PKR 190
$5.47 PKR 1,516
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.63 PKR 451
$1.08 PKR 301
$2.00 PKR 553
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.60 PKR 998
$0.85 PKR 237
$3.60 PKR 998
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.88 PKR 521
$1.79 PKR 496
$2.86 PKR 793
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.20 PKR 55.1
$0.15 PKR 42.82
$0.20 PKR 55.1
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$6.91 PKR 1,915
$5.18 PKR 1,436
$12.02 PKR 3,332
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.69 PKR 190
$0.69 PKR 190
$1.36 PKR 377
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.73 PKR 203
$0.30 PKR 81.9
$0.91 PKR 251
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.81 PKR 503
$1.09 PKR 301
$2.90 PKR 804
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.00 PKR 278
$0.96 PKR 266
$1.06 PKR 295
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$11.9K PKR 3.3M
$11.4K PKR 3.2M
$12.5K PKR 3.5M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.6K PKR 6.3M
$21.4K PKR 5.9M
$25.0K PKR 6.9M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$98.5 PKR 27.3K
$42.57 PKR 11.8K
$160 PKR 44.3K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.32 PKR 1,199
$1.78 PKR 493
$10.65 PKR 2,952
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$10.62 PKR 2,945
$8.70 PKR 2,413
$26.10 PKR 7,238
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$9.96 PKR 2,763
$6.97 PKR 1,934
$13.96 PKR 3,871
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.66 PKR 1,848
$1.75 PKR 487
$10.52 PKR 2,917
Cinema Ticket
$4.19 PKR 1,163
$1.75 PKR 486
$6.30 PKR 1,747
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$29.39 PKR 8,151
$17.42 PKR 4,830
$41.80 PKR 11.6K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$518 PKR 143.5K
$340 PKR 94.4K
$681 PKR 188.8K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$13.06 PKR 3,623
$8.71 PKR 2,415
$17.42 PKR 4,831
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.62 PKR 5,441
$14.27 PKR 3,958
$28.53 PKR 7,913
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$38.69 PKR 10.7K
$17.58 PKR 4,876
$70.3 PKR 19.5K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$32.49 PKR 9,011
$17.72 PKR 4,914
$53.2 PKR 14.7K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$120 PKR 33.2K
$72.1 PKR 20.0K
$162 PKR 45.0K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$51.6 PKR 14.3K
$35.18 PKR 9,756
$70.4 PKR 19.5K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$202 PKR 56.0K
$123 PKR 34.1K
$281 PKR 77.9K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$95.0 PKR 26.3K
$89.1 PKR 24.7K
$107 PKR 29.6K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$128 PKR 35.4K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
21.17
16
25

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: July 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $120 for a central one-bedroom, or $51.6 outside the center. At 94% of the average salary ($128), rent is manageable but leaves limited room for savings.

Average take-home pay sits at $128, while typical expenses reach $372. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $82.0 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $11.00 for two – well below the Asian average of $35.00.

Public transport is priced at around $6.91 per month – among the cheapest in Asia (average $31.00).

Cost Highlights

Average monthly net salary is lower than 98% of cities in Asia

3-bedroom apartment, outside city center is cheaper than 98% of cities in Asia

Preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, 1 child is cheaper than 95% of cities in Asia

Peshawar Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
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The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Peshawar - Frequently Asked Questions
Is the overall affordability of Peshawar, Pakistan good for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does it compare with other cities in the region?
The Cost of Living in Peshawar, Pakistan is generally approachable for longer stays, with affordable street food, simple transit options, and modest housing relative to larger metros. Local neighborhoods vary: the old city can feel vibrant and budget-friendly, while newer apartments near universities offer reliable comfort at a similar or slightly higher price. Utilities and services are typically reasonable, though you’ll notice seasonal shifts in energy use. Plan with a flexible budget that accounts for groceries, occasional imports, and social outings. Tip: learn the local markets and bargaining norms to stretch every rupee.
What does daily life look like for a traveler or expat in Peshawar, including housing search, food options, transport, and coworking or errands?
Daily life centers on market-due convenience, strong local cuisine, and accessible transit. For housing, search near arterial streets or university pockets; you’ll find good value in modest apartments or shared housing, with varying security considerations. Food options range from vendors with affordable staples to cafes that suit remote work. Transport relies on rickshaws, ride-hailing apps, and walkable neighborhoods. If you need a coworking setup, look for small tech or business hubs near educational campuses. If you need a quick budgeting frame, understand the Peshawar, Pakistan living cost by mapping weekly groceries, transit, and meals. Tip: carry cash for street markets and use safe transport after dark.
What are best practices for balancing quality of life and budgeting, including seasonality, neighborhood fit, and saving tips in Peshawar?
Quality of life is tied to neighborhood fit and a practical budgeting approach. Seasonality affects energy and dining plans, so have a plan for hot summers and chilly winters. Use a simple framework: fixed costs (rent, utilities, essential groceries) plus a flexible envelope for dining, transport, and activities. Compare areas by safety, access to markets, clinics, and coworking spaces, not just rent. Embrace local markets, seasonal produce, and reasonable transit options to stretch each rupee. Tip: test a few neighborhoods for a month each before deciding, and build a rotating routine to keep costs predictable.
What is the average cost of living in Peshawar?
A single person in Peshawar typically spends $372 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $259. The final number shifts depending on your neighborhood, eating habits, and general lifestyle.
What is the average cost of living in Peshawar in 2026?
As of 2026, monthly living costs in Peshawar come to around $372 including rent, or roughly $259 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Peshawar?
Around $557 take-home puts you in a comfortable spot in Peshawar – enough for rent, food, bills, and a bit of savings. Drop below that and you'll probably need to share a flat, stick to cooking at home, or pick a neighborhood further out.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Peshawar?
Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Peshawar range from $51.6 to $120, depending on location and condition. Central apartments sit at the top of that range; outer neighborhoods and suburbs deliver noticeably better value per square meter.
How expensive is a gym membership in Peshawar?
Fitness in Peshawar is cheap at around $9.96 monthly for a standard gym. It's one of the lighter items in the budget, making it easy to stay active without worrying about the cost.
How cheap is food in Peshawar?
Peshawar is great for eating affordably at home. Monthly grocery bills run about $82.0, and local produce is plentiful and well-priced, making home cooking both practical and cost-effective.
Can you live on $800 a month in Peshawar?
$800 stretches far in Peshawar – all-in monthly costs average only $372. The surplus means you can build savings, travel a bit, and live above the local average without much effort.
Is Peshawar a good place to live?
Living in Peshawar means access to great local cuisine, multilingual environment at about $372 per month including rent. It works for a wide range of budgets, and most residents find the lifestyle-to-cost balance appealing. Your experience will depend on priorities like climate, culture, and career.
Can you save money living in Peshawar?
Monthly expenses in Peshawar run around $372, so putting money aside takes more than $557 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.
Is Peshawar good for backpackers on a budget?
Budget travelers love Peshawar – low prices across accommodation, food, and transport make it one of the most backpacker-friendly cities around. Long-stay costs come to just $372 monthly; short-term visitors can get by on even less with hostels and local food.

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