Mountain town in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Cost of living in Skardu
How much a month costs in Skardu
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $542–903 (Rs150,000–250,000).
Prices in Skardu
Typical 2026 ranges in PKR, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | PKR | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | Rs1,500–3,500 | $5.4–12.6 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | Rs8,000–25,000 | $29–90 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | Rs500–1,000 | $1.8–3.6 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | Rs1,500–3,500 | $5.4–12.6 |
| Cappuccino | Rs400–800 | $1.4–2.9 |
| Work and life | ||
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | Rs1,000–2,500 | $3.6–9.0 |
Value for money: 82/100
A value score of 82/100 means Skardu gives more quality of life per dollar than 81% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 40/100. It's the 4th 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 Skardu
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 Skardu?
About $253–361 on a lean budget, $542–903 for a comfortable month and $1,260–2,350 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much does food cost in Skardu?
A local meal is Rs500–1,000 ($1.8–3.6); a mid-range restaurant is Rs1,500–3,500 ($5.4–12.6) per person.
Is Pakistan expensive?
Prices in Pakistan are about 24% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Skardu
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Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority
- 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.