Cost of living
Islamabad (Pakistan) compared to Karachi
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Overview comparison
Islamabad (Pakistan)Karachi
Consumer prices in Islamabad (Pakistan) are roughly 30% higher than in Karachi.
Cost of living
| Item | Islamabad (Pakistan) | Karachi |
|---|
| Total with rent one person | 512 | 478 |
|---|
| Total with rent family | 1,120 | 1,216 |
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| Without rent one person | 215 | 255 |
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| Without rent one family | 610 | 789 |
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| Rent & Utilities person | 158.89 | 190.04 |
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| Rent & Utilities family | 429.02 | 360.54 |
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| Food person | 175 | 153 |
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| Food family | 430 | 383 |
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| Transport person | 34.76 | 66.76 |
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| Transport family | 87.54 | 156.57 |
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| Life expectancy | 71.93 years | 83.44 years |
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Eating Out
| Item | Islamabad (Pakistan) | Karachi |
|---|
| Lunch Menu | 1.61 | 1.67 |
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| Dinner in a Restaurant, for 2 | 14.53 | 12.25 |
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| Fast food meal, equiv. McDonald's | 5.08 | 4.96 |
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| Beer in a Pub, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz | 1.99 | 2.56 |
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| Cappuccino | 1.89 | 1.91 |
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| Pepsi / Coke, 0.5 L or 16.9 fl oz | 0.3 | 0.37 |
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Rent & Utilities
| Item | Islamabad (Pakistan) | Karachi |
|---|
| 1 bedroom apartment in city Center, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 189.83 | 172.98 |
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| Cheap 1 bedroom apartment, 40 m2 or 430 ft2 | 79.13 | 78.06 |
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| 3 bedroom apartment in city Center, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 532.99 | 314.33 |
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| Cheap 3 bedroom apartment, 80 m2 or 860 ft2 | 245.47 | 174.91 |
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| Utility Bill one person, electricity, heating, water, etc. | 63.63 | 54.23 |
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| Utility Bill for a Family, electricity, heating, water, etc. | 89.3 | 97.83 |
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| Internet plan, 25 Mbps+ 1 month unlimited | 14.88 | 10.37 |
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Transportation
| Item | Islamabad (Pakistan) | Karachi |
|---|
| Local transport ticket | 21.55 | 19.14 |
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| Monthly ticket local transport | 1,308 | 615 |
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| Taxi Ride, 8 km or 5 mi | 394 | 304 |
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| Gas / Petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal | 0.16 | 0.21 |
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| Mortgage Interest Rate for 20 Years | 6.78% | 7.3% |
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| Apartment price to Buy in city Center, 1 m2 or 10 ft2 | 5.14 | 5.26 |
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| House price to Buy in Suburbs, 1 m2 or 10 ft2 | 1.16 | 0.97 |
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Groceries
| Item | Islamabad (Pakistan) | Karachi |
|---|
| Milk, 1 L or 1 qt | 1 | 0.82 |
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| Bread, 0.5 kg or 1.1 lb | 0.55 | 0.62 |
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| Eggs, x12 | 1.03 | 0.96 |
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| Cheese, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 6.53 | 4.61 |
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| Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 3.47 | 2.6 |
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| Round Steak, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 4.92 | 3.69 |
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| Banana, 1 kg or 2.2 lb | 0.68 | 0.51 |
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| Water, 1 L or 1 qt | 0.25 | 0.25 |
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Other
| Item | Islamabad (Pakistan) | Karachi |
|---|
| Gym Membership, 1 month | 26.01 | 19.05 |
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| Cinema Ticket, 1 person | 4.08 | 4.22 |
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| Doctors visit | 15.11 | 11.32 |
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| Haircut, simple | 2.09 | 1.82 |
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| Brand Jeans | 21.99 | 18.17 |
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| Brand Sneakers | 93.6 | 62.38 |
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| Daycare or Preschool, 1 month | 47.99 | 49.64 |
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| International Primary School, 1 year | 2,935 | 1,233 |
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