Cost of Living in Karachi

Summary of cost of living in Karachi, Pakistan:

Restaurants
Edit Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant 1.67 € 0.97-3.34
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course 10.67 € 6.67-26.68
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) 3.34 € 3.00-5.00
Domestic Non-Alcoholic Beer (1 pint draught) 1.67 € 1.00-3.34
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (12 oz small bottle) 3.34 € 1.67-5.00
Cappuccino (regular) 1.58 € 0.50-3.00
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) 0.27 € 0.20-0.33
Water (12 oz small bottle) 0.22 € 0.17-0.40
Markets
Edit
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) 2.75 € 2.53-3.41
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) 0.41 € 0.27-0.67
Rice (white), (1 lb) 0.52 € 0.38-0.76
Eggs (regular) (12) 1.11 € 0.72-1.40
Local Cheese (1 lb) 2.22 € 0.91-4.84
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) 1.27 € 0.76-1.82
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) 1.60 € 1.21-1.97
Apples (1 lb) 0.41 € 0.23-0.68
Banana (1 lb) 0.27 € 0.15-0.45
Oranges (1 lb) 0.34 € 0.14-0.61
Tomato (1 lb) 0.19 € 0.08-0.30
Potato (1 lb) 0.13 € 0.08-0.18
Onion (1 lb) 0.18 € 0.08-0.30
Lettuce (1 head) 0.29 € 0.17-0.50
Water (1.5 liter bottle) 0.34 € 0.27-0.53
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range) 1.67 € 0.50-3.34
Domestic Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) 1.23 € 0.50-2.00
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (12 oz small bottle) 1.84 € 1.00-2.67
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) 2.00 € 1.67-2.67
Transportation
Edit
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) 0.20 € 0.17-0.40
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) 10.84 € 4.35-16.68
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) 0.60 € 0.33-1.00
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) 0.81 € 0.40-1.33
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) 1.63 € 0.67-2.50
Gasoline (1 gallon) 3.72 € 3.38-4.19
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) 15,009.36 € 11,673.94-16,677.06
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) 21,639.11 € 20,012.47-25,015.59
Utilities (Monthly)
Edit
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment 77.93 € 50.03-150.09
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data 4.03 € 2.90-6.67
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) 11.14 € 6.67-21.68
Sports And Leisure
Edit
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 13.92 € 5.00-33.35
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) 7.12 € 3.34-10.01
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat 4.00 € 3.00-5.00
Childcare
Edit
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child 42.35 € 16.68-83.39
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child 1,004.02 € 400.25-1,667.71
Clothing And Shoes
Edit
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) 14.09 € 5.00-30.02
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) 21.01 € 8.34-40.02
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) 44.90 € 16.68-100.06
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes 29.45 € 13.34-60.04
Rent Per Month
Edit
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre 99.45 € 50.03-166.77
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre 63.63 € 40.02-116.74
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre 237.45 € 133.42-400.25
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre 143.91 € 83.39-250.16
Buy Apartment Price
Edit
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre 50.40 € 29.16-77.47
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre 28.56 € 16.68-50.03
Salaries And Financing
Edit
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) 163.44 €
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate 20.84 12.00-25.00

Prices in Karachi

This city had 3456 entries in the past 12 months by 348 different contributors.
Last update: March 2024
Sources and References
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
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15 Comments so far
Buland Khan on Feb 06, 2024:
Karachi...a city that uses to be very prosperous and sophisticated with an educated elite has been run to the ground by the rabidly corrupt marxists of the PPP, run by the Zardari mafia, which in turn has been supported by the corrupt-to-the-core military deep state of Pakistan.
AS on Nov 30, 2023:
For fellows mentioning that cost of living seems high, it's not high at all for middle class living. Inflation has hit hard and people may not be realising right now, on top of that rupee is overvalued by at least 15%. Family of 4 means a young family, diapers alone run 10k for two kids, dairy would run 15k, gas electricity without cooling 20-25k, add schooling to that. Millenial mothers are different too, kids are mega high on dopamine, and they are often sick in cities, that's expensive.

Bungalow under 60k now is impossible unless 60km out of city centre. 3 bed apartments alone in uptown are at least 50k, few reasons for this, people rent very very carefully because both laws and lawlessness has no protection for average landlord, it's the opposite, driving up costs.

The prices on numbeo are spot-on, in-fact under reported at times, for example, for internet in big cities, people are adding common-use rather than what it actually is for high-speed reliable broadband. There's at least 20% provincial taxes and then federal, close to 35% taxes on internet. Your total cost for connectivity goes to 6k+, anything under 10Mb which costs ~3.5k you get support totally deprioritised and service is very bad, you always have to compensate with mobile broadband, and for better support at least 30Mb connection is needed which costs over 5k. That's the state of all services sector, you can get anything for cheap but pay for it in other costs.
Ahmar Khan on May 05, 2023:
I was born and live in Karachi. Living cost for family of 4 is highly exaggerated. I have also lived in London and New York, and Karachi is much cheaper.

The Good
Without rent, a family of 4 can have a decent lifestyle in Rs.150,000 per month. This includes cost of vehicle purchase, 1-2 dine out each week, utility bills, monthly shopping, clothing, electronics, toys, school fee, cinemas/outings etc.

150,000 = 600~ USD, 750~ GBP.

Now this does not include cost of family trips to international destinations or even within Pakistan. If we add 1 annual trip and cost of rent, then you would need at least Rs.260,000 per month, which is 900~ USD or 1,100~ GBP.

You can find a pretty nice villa/bungalow on rent for 50,000 per month in a good neighborhood.

The food is amazing and varied. You can find from local cuisines to Chinese, French, Italian, Mexican. You will not find better tasting food in the west. Maybe in India?

The Bad
There is no national insurance in Pakistan, hence you would have to pay it out of pocket. Government health institutions are very bad and you should only opt for good private hospital care if you can afford it.

Also, good luck finding a job that pays more than 200,000 if you are a local. If you are living here as an overseas worker, you may be able to get a high enough salary to afford the cost of living and save. Otherwise, most people cannot afford to save.

The Ugly
The city lacks a lot of green parks as someone mentioned. There is dirt and garbage in several places piled up by the road and air quality is not the best. Traffic jams are common during rush hours and there is no mass transit system.

Crime is also rampant in the city and you should not flaunt your wealth. Mugging, robberies are higher than other big cities and law enforcement departments are incompetent and corrupt.
Plinkyy on Jan 11, 2023:
wow.. just checking this data and comparing it here now in my country Philippines.. looks like its not cheap for me living from South East Asian country. Cheap if you are dollar earner you can able to enjoy Karachi or the whole Pakistan.. Well I haven't been in Karachi. ill be flying there this September and I was curious the cost of living there and here that's why i check and I was surprised.. but lets see once I'm there.
Anonymous on Oct 02, 2022:
People consider karachi wrong they think its cheap because of foreign blogger they earn in dollars which is like 240 for 1 dollar in reality in this city an average labour make thousand to 1500 rupees a day which is like 2-4 dollars and after it cooking oil is like 700 per kg chicken is like 500 per kg petrol is 240 inflation is high wages are low i am family of 5 mom dad me and two little sister my father earn more than 200000 and it dosent even fulfill requirement completely luxury is far away if you are earning in dollars this city is really cheap if you are a local you are slowly going in poverty
Alex on Sep 04, 2022:
Its not an expensive city comapre to any other cities of its size. Infact its quite cheap. You can live a good life as for as rent and food is concerend. The city lacks any green areas, nature, wide-open spaces or parks. The air quality is bad and so is traffic. So the over-all quality of life is not there. Its not very different than any other developing countries. I certainly wont live in Karachi even if its cheap.

Yet, I found very happy, tolerant and respectable people who are living a good life with whatever they can afford. People are very helpful, hospitable and tough. I did not feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Pakistanis are very welcoming and thats a big plus. Many are fluent in English and there is no language barrier.
Khurram - Faisal on Aug 15, 2022:
Expenses for a single person living in an average area (not posh not kachi abadi) as follows: (per month)

if the Monthly Salary for a person is between 65000 - 100,000 PKR

Room (living expenses) without utility bills is between 15,000 - 30,000 PKR

Electricity cost for a single person using basic necessities is between 6,000 - 10,000 PKR

Food cost for 2 times a day (basic meal) is around 6,000 - 15,000 PKR

Water, sewerage, garbage disposal costs is 1500rps per month.

Gas cost for cooking is around 1000pkr per month.

Transportation cost (tax , rickshaw) is around 5,000 - 10,000 PKR

now the total becomes 35,000 - 55,000 PKR.
GM on Dec 04, 2021:
Worst city in the world, full of crime & pollution. One would be lucky to get out alive from this city.
Pl on Apr 18, 2021:
You can buy tomatoes at 3 rupees/kilo. Potatoes and onions at 12 each. Sugar at 60. Karachi is the cheapest city in the world --- cheaper than Venezuela capital city. At imtiaz supermarket 3 quarts aerated at rupees 84.
Anonymous on Dec 20, 2020:
An unfurnished one bedroom apartment starts at 33,000pkr.The only thing that's cheap is the internet.
Anonymous on Dec 12, 2020:
why dont you post the difference in salary between ny and karachi? the average working man in ny makes about $3500.00 while the average salary in karachi is about $250.00.
Aijaz Abidi on Dec 04, 2020:
Hi all,
I would suggest to add a range feature (min) to (max).
As for locals in a decent way living cost is 30000/person/month.
But for foreigners especialy whites it will be higher as 1000$.
Foreigners mostly well received in all over Pakistan.
Faizan Alam on Jul 02, 2020:
If you want to purchase house or flats in Karachi. I suggests you to visit jagahonline.com.
Zaawar Ejaz on May 12, 2020:
Karachi is not a cheapest city. It is only cheapeast for those who live in western countries and earn in dollars and euro. They can come here on vacation and enjoy. But is us way expensive for people who live here. Salary is very low here compare to expenses here. Quality of life is poor if you want to earn and live here. Earn in dollers and live here is a way to go.
SHAIKH ATHAR ZAKI MULTANI on Apr 05, 2020:
Atleast Rs. 60,000/- per person per month is enough to live in karachi including rent. This will cover your every necessary needs.