Mountain town in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Cost of living in Gilgit
How much a month costs in Gilgit
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $470–722 (Rs130,000–200,000).
Prices in Gilgit
Typical 2026 ranges in PKR, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | PKR | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | Rs1,500–3,000 | $5.4–10.8 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | Rs7,000–18,000 | $25–65 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | Rs350–700 | $1.3–2.5 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | Rs1,200–2,500 | $4.3–9.0 |
| Cappuccino | Rs400–800 | $1.4–2.9 |
| Getting around | ||
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | Rs500–1,000 | $1.8–3.6 |
| Work and life | ||
| Gym membership (month) | Rs3,000–6,000 | $11–22 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | Rs1,000–2,500 | $3.6–9.0 |
Value for money: 78/100
A value score of 78/100 means Gilgit gives more quality of life per dollar than 77% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 31/100. It's the 2nd most affordable of 7 places we cover in Pakistan.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Internet | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across Pakistan
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
| Place | Comfortable month | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Swat Valley | $397–614 | 67/100 |
| Gilgit | $470–722 | 78/100 |
| Hunza Valley | $542–903 | 80/100 |
| Skardu | $542–903 | 82/100 |
| Lahore | $722–1,160 | 50/100 |
| Karachi | $722–1,190 | 52/100 |
| Islamabad | $795–1,260 | 57/100 |
Cheaper alternatives to Gilgit
Similar safety, lower cost, in South Asia.
| Place | Country | Comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| Hampi | India | $291–467 |
| Darjeeling | India | $332–519 |
| Mysore | India | $363–571 |
| Jaisalmer | India | $311–519 |
| Pushkar | India | $311–498 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Gilgit?
About $253–397 on a lean budget, $470–722 for a comfortable month and $939–1,520 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much does food cost in Gilgit?
A local meal is Rs350–700 ($1.3–2.5); a mid-range restaurant is Rs1,200–2,500 ($4.3–9.0) per person.
Is Pakistan expensive?
Prices in Pakistan are about 24% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Gilgit
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Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- UK FCDO travel advice: Pakistan regional risks
- Aga Khan Development Network: Gilgit-Baltistan health facilities
- Zong: 4G in Gilgit-Baltistan
- National Highway Authority (KKH)
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.