City in Sindh, Pakistan
Cost of living in Karachi
How much a month costs in Karachi
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $722–1,190 (Rs200,000–330,000).
Prices in Karachi
Typical 2026 ranges in PKR, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | PKR | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | Rs70,000–160,000 | $253–578 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | Rs35,000–80,000 | $126–289 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | Rs14,000–35,000 | $51–126 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | Rs400–900 | $1.4–3.3 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | Rs2,000–4,500 | $7.2–16.3 |
| Cappuccino | Rs500–900 | $1.8–3.3 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | Rs30–100 | $0.11–0.36 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | Rs400–900 | $1.4–3.3 |
| Work and life | ||
| Coworking day pass | Rs1,500–3,500 | $5.4–12.6 |
| Gym membership (month) | Rs8,000–22,000 | $29–79 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | Rs1,000–2,500 | $3.6–9.0 |
Value for money: 52/100
A value score of 52/100 means Karachi gives more quality of life per dollar than 51% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 34/100. It's the 6th 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 Karachi
Similar safety, lower cost, in South Asia.
| Place | Country | Comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| Hampi | India | $291–467 |
| Darjeeling | India | $332–519 |
| Mysore | India | $363–571 |
| Dharamshala | India | $394–674 |
| Pondicherry | India | $415–674 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Karachi?
About $325–470 on a lean budget, $722–1,190 for a comfortable month and $1,630–3,070 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Karachi?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs Rs70,000–160,000 ($253–578) a month in the center and Rs35,000–80,000 ($126–289) outside it.
How much does food cost in Karachi?
A local meal is Rs400–900 ($1.4–3.3); a mid-range restaurant is Rs2,000–4,500 ($7.2–16.3) per person.
Is Pakistan expensive?
Prices in Pakistan are about 24% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Karachi
Going to Karachi solo?
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Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Aga Khan University Hospital
- Pakistan Online Visa System (NADRA)
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.