Cost of Living in Karachi

Summary about cost of living in Karachi, Pakistan:

Restaurants
Edit Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant 500.00 Rs. 250.00-1,000.00
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course 2,750.00 Rs. 1,500.00-5,000.00
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) 900.00 Rs. 700.00-1,000.00
Domestic Non-Alcoholic Beer (1 pint draught) 500.00 Rs. 300.00-1,000.00
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (12 oz small bottle) 600.00 Rs. 400.00-1,200.00
Cappuccino (regular) 341.89 Rs. 140.00-550.00
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) 65.95 Rs. 50.00-100.00
Water (12 oz small bottle) 48.05 Rs. 35.00-80.00
Markets
Edit
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) 741.94 Rs. 643.52-870.64
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) 105.01 Rs. 72.57-181.44
Rice (white), (1 lb) 128.12 Rs. 81.65-158.76
Eggs (regular) (12) 286.31 Rs. 192.00-336.00
Local Cheese (1 lb) 612.85 Rs. 226.80-1,360.78
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) 301.89 Rs. 163.29-408.23
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) 425.81 Rs. 317.52-589.67
Apples (1 lb) 115.46 Rs. 68.04-170.10
Banana (1 lb) 57.24 Rs. 36.29-90.72
Oranges (1 lb) 92.90 Rs. 45.36-158.76
Tomato (1 lb) 64.65 Rs. 22.68-113.40
Potato (1 lb) 30.55 Rs. 18.14-45.36
Onion (1 lb) 69.82 Rs. 36.29-99.79
Lettuce (1 head) 79.49 Rs. 20.00-200.00
Water (1.5 liter bottle) 84.03 Rs. 60.00-100.00
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range) 475.00 Rs. 150.00-900.00
Domestic Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) 325.85 Rs. 150.00-500.00
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (12 oz small bottle) 460.48 Rs. 190.00-800.00
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) 345.00 Rs. 250.00-520.00
Transportation
Edit
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) 50.00 Rs. 50.00-100.00
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) 2,000.00 Rs. 1,000.00-5,000.00
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) 150.00 Rs. 100.00-250.00
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) 80.47 Rs. 40.23-160.93
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) 400.00 Rs. 250.00-500.00
Gasoline (1 gallon) 929.97 Rs. 832.79-1,035.00
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) 3,500,000.00 Rs. 2,800,000.00-3,800,000.00
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) 4,455,209.30 Rs. 4,000,000.00-5,000,000.00
Utilities (Monthly)
Edit
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment 16,884.85 Rs. 8,000.00-26,562.50
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) 2.96 Rs. 1.50-5.00
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) 4,666.00 Rs. 2,000.00-10,000.00
Sports And Leisure
Edit
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 4,103.51 Rs. 1,000.00-10,000.00
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) 1,339.48 Rs. 500.00-3,000.00
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat 1,000.00 Rs. 750.00-1,500.00
Childcare
Edit
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child 9,807.19 Rs. 4,000.00-25,000.00
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child 268,292.68 Rs. 120,000.00-600,000.00
Clothing And Shoes
Edit
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) 3,768.16 Rs. 1,300.00-8,000.00
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) 5,535.71 Rs. 2,500.00-10,000.00
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) 8,767.44 Rs. 4,000.00-20,000.00
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes 6,119.05 Rs. 3,500.00-12,000.00
Rent Per Month
Edit
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre 26,460.73 Rs. 15,000.00-50,000.00
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre 18,143.81 Rs. 10,000.00-35,000.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre 61,744.19 Rs. 40,000.00-100,000.00
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre 38,846.15 Rs. 25,000.00-60,000.00
Buy Apartment Price
Edit
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre 16,145.51 Rs. 8,743.78-23,225.57
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre 8,303.23 Rs. 4,999.96-16,999.86
Salaries And Financing
Edit
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) 38,955.56 Rs.
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate 15.48 9.00-20.00

Prices in Karachi

This city had 4303 entries in the past 12 months by 410 different contributors.
Last update: March 2023
Sources and References
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
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18 Comments so far
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.
M Ahsan on Dec 25, 2019:
If you are a saver so i believe and practically getting 50000 is enough salary to live in Karachi if house is your own with all necessities include schooling with 4 kids. Their is no end of your desires so fulfill your needs not desires.
M Ahsan on Dec 25, 2019:
I am willing to inform you after the change in govt. Now Karachi is very good every thing is changed, peoples are friendly, crime rate is almost 90% less compare from last 10-20 years. Very favorable for every business. Govt policies are also changed and friendly. We are welcome all foreigners, tourists, business community etc. Food, Accommodation traveling all that you need is in reasonable price and available. If you wanted to check so compare Karachi in any city of the world. This is heavily populated and city of opportunities as well as other cities.
Bahria Town Peshawar on Dec 08, 2019:
Bahria Town CEO Malik Riaz has finally announced the launch of the Bahria Town Peshawar housing scheme in January 2020. Malik Riaz wrote on his Twitter account that it was ’time to deliver yet again’ asking the citizens of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) to ‘get ready’.
Anwar Baig on Nov 21, 2019:
As I have read those comments in November ,2019
There is big difference now the life is difficult
Every thing is expensive and very expensive.
Also crime rates high
No peace of mind whatever income low or high or very high or rich very rich slum area posh area no one feel secure
Shan Ali on Nov 09, 2019:
If you are looking for best rental apartment consultancy in the best price, you can checkout AdeelCorp since they are the best real estate in Karachi. Have a look here : https://www.pixarch.net/
Sid on May 27, 2019:
Worst city because of rude people. People can’t talk politely and always fight on petty issues, also women are not given much freedom as in most muslim countries, they always have to cover their entire body with a black cloth and can’t roam around freely. Well I guess that’s because they follow the worlds worst religion for women.