Cost of living in Islamabad (Pakistan) is 12% cheaper than in Lahore (Pakistan)
We need your help!
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
Do you know the prices in Lahore or in Islamabad? You can help!
Improve the prices for Lahore! Improve the prices for Islamabad!
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 942 prices entered by 152 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
| Food | - 31% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Islamabad (Pakistan) is 31% cheaper than in Lahore (Pakistan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Islamabad | Lahore | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₨623 | ₨966 | - 36% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₨706 | ₨1,315 | - 46% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₨323 | ₨427 | - 24% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₨185 | ₨201 | - 8% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₨282 | ₨355 | - 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₨203 | ₨242 | - 16% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₨390 | ₨1,180 | - 67% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₨320 | ₨479 | - 33% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₨86 | ₨79 | + 10% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₨777 | ₨515 | + 51% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₨2,010 | ₨7,032 | - 71% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₨230 | ₨242 | - 5% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₨119 | ₨110 | + 8% | |
| Housing | + 91% | |||
| Housing in Islamabad (Pakistan) is 91% more expensive than in Lahore (Pakistan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Islamabad | Lahore | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₨289,184 | ₨98,944 | + 192% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₨145,126 | ₨40,938 | + 255% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₨30,190 | ₨20,443 | + 48% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₨85,513 | ₨71,266 | + 20% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₨68,040 | ₨38,260 | + 78% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₨22,303 | ₨20,504 | + 9% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₨1,526 | ₨2,377 | - 36% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₨36,219 | ₨60,656 | - 40% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₨18,970 | ₨25,633 | - 26% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₨1,677 | ₨1,846 | - 9% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₨6,547 | ₨1,705 | + 284% | |
| Clothes | - 22% | |||
| Clothes in Islamabad (Pakistan) is 22% cheaper than in Lahore (Pakistan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Islamabad | Lahore | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₨4,611 | ₨4,993 | - 8% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₨6,817 | ₨9,562 | - 29% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₨20,839 | ₨17,108 | + 22% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₨5,136 | ₨11,769 | - 56% | |
| Transportation | - 38% | |||
| Transportation in Islamabad (Pakistan) is 38% cheaper than in Lahore (Pakistan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Islamabad | Lahore | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₨4,797,400 | ₨7,401,240 | - 35% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₨230 | ₨265 | - 13% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₨2,628 | ₨5,838 | - 55% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ₨900 | ₨884 | + 2% | |
| Personal Care | - 36% | |||
| Personal Care in Islamabad (Pakistan) is 36% cheaper than in Lahore (Pakistan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Islamabad | Lahore | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₨215 | ₨485 | - 56% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₨418 | ₨603 | - 31% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₨2,273 | ₨2,400 | - 5% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₨589 | ₨394 | + 49% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₨372 | ₨707 | - 47% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₨291 | ₨832 | - 65% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₨163 | ₨203 | - 20% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₨187 | ₨195 | - 4% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₨1,350 | ₨645 | + 109% | |
| Entertainment | - 29% | |||
| Entertainment in Islamabad (Pakistan) is 29% cheaper than in Lahore (Pakistan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Islamabad | Lahore | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₨1,419 | ₨2,423 | - 41% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₨859 | ₨2,939 | - 71% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₨3,662 | ₨3,811 | - 4% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₨4,194 | ₨6,711 | - 38% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₨431 | ₨3,611 | - 88% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₨356 | ₨759 | - 53% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₨414 | ₨663 | - 38% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₨97,565 | ₨111,034 | - 12% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₨21 | ₨4.35 | + 382% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₨2,843 | ₨5,314 | - 46% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₨410 | ₨525 | - 22% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 12% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 942 prices entered by 152 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 27, 2023.
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Abu Dhabi is 9% cheaper than in Dubai
- Cost of living in Singapore is 54% more expensive than in Dubai
- Cost of living in Singapore is 10% more expensive than in Los Angeles, California
- Cost of living in New York City is 20% more expensive than in London
- Cost of living in Barcelona, Spain is about the same as in Madrid
- Cost of living in Tel Aviv is 30% more expensive than in Rome
- Cost of living in Toronto is 26% cheaper than in New York City
- Cost of living in Sydney is 22% cheaper than in Singapore
- Cost of living in London is 74% more expensive than in Madrid
- Cost of living in London is 278% more expensive than in Delhi
Compare other countries
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require ₨274,000 in Lahore you would need to make just about ₨241,216 in Islamabad.
Do you live in Lahore? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Bangkok (Thailand)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Helsinki (Finland)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Taipei (Taiwan)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Bangalore (India)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Macao
- Cost of Living, Prices in Jerusalem (Israel)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Chengdu (China)
Prices recently added
- 1 us gal of whole fat milk in Chicago, Illinois costs $1.06 (2 minutes ago)
- 1 liter of gasoline in Queretaro costs Mex$ 21 (35 minutes ago)
- 1 pack of marlboro cigarettes in Richmond, Virginia costs $4.00 (39 minutes ago)
- Monthly rent - 45 m2 furnished studio in expensive area in Santa Fe costs ARS $90,000 (about 2 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Columbia, South Carolina costs $20 (about 4 hours ago)
- Monthly rent - 85 m2 furnished accommodation in expensive area in Porto Alegre costs R$ 3,100 (about 4 hours ago)