Cost of living comparison · updated September 2026
Islamabad vs Karachi: cost of living
Using the same one-person balanced basket, Karachi is 18% less expensive than Islamabad. The total is a starting point: your home, commute and household choices determine the budget you will actually need.
Read the result in context
Start with the total, then inspect the categories and household scenarios before you turn the percentage into a salary or relocation decision.
The short answer
Karachi is 18% less expensive.
$190 separates the monthly baselines before you change the household, lifestyle or neighborhood assumptions.
Karachi is lower than Islamabad.
Illustration for $6,500 take-home pay in Islamabad.
$70 separates the two category estimates.
Direct answer
What does the difference mean each month?
The estimated monthly budget is $1,060 in Islamabad and $870 in Karachi. That is a difference of $190 per month before personal adjustments.
This comparison keeps the same household and lifestyle on both sides. It answers one narrow question: what happens when the same recurring basket is repriced in another city? It does not decide which neighborhood, salary, tax system or lifestyle will fit you best.
Monthly cost breakdown for Islamabad and Karachi
| Category | Islamabad | Karachi | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $420 | $350 | −$70 |
| Groceries | $220 | $210 | −$10 |
| Dining out | $70 | $50 | −$20 |
| Transport | $70 | $45 | −$25 |
| Home utilities | $90 | $60 | −$30 |
| Internet & mobile | $35 | $25 | −$10 |
| Insurance & protection | $5 | $5 | Same |
| Healthcare | $30 | $30 | Same |
| Medicines & pharmacy | $10 | $10 | Same |
| Personal care | $10 | $10 | Same |
| Clothing & footwear | $10 | $10 | Same |
| Household goods | $5 | $5 | Same |
| Household services | $10 | $10 | Same |
| Fitness & wellness | $30 | $20 | −$10 |
| Entertainment & subscriptions | $20 | $15 | −$5 |
| Leisure | $20 | $15 | −$5 |
| Total | $1,060 | $870 | −$190 |
Where the comparison changes most
Housing is the largest modeled pressure point, but the order matters for your own decision. Check the first four categories below before you spend time optimizing smaller lines.
Housing
Islamabad $420 · Karachi $350 · $70 lower in Karachi
Home size, tenure and neighborhoodHome utilities
Islamabad $90 · Karachi $60 · $30 lower in Karachi
Energy, water, heating and waste collectionTransport
Islamabad $70 · Karachi $45 · $25 lower in Karachi
Transit access, commute and car useDining out
Islamabad $70 · Karachi $50 · $20 lower in Karachi
Meal frequency and local restaurant pricesSalary translation
A cost difference is not automatically a salary offer.
If you take home $6,500 in Islamabad, repricing the same balanced basket in Karachi implies about $5,330 per month. The difference is $1,170, but your gross offer can move differently after tax, benefits, pension and employer coverage.
Current take-home$6,500Islamabad
→
Spending-equivalent$5,330Karachi
Use the salary calculator for your own income, household and lifestyle settings.
Open salary calculatorHousehold scenarios
The gap changes when the household changes.
Housing and food do not scale in exactly the same way for every household. These balanced scenarios show how the recurring comparison moves when the same city pair is used for one person, a couple or a family.
HouseholdIslamabadKarachiDifference
One person$1,060$870−$190
Couple$1,640$1,350−$290
Family of four$2,320$1,910−$410
Use the result correctly
A comparison narrows the decision. It does not make it for you.
Replace broad assumptions with the details that actually determine your move. The closer the headline totals are, the more important those details become.
Price the neighborhoodUse the home size, lease terms and commute you would really choose.
Translate take-home payCompare net income and benefits, not only gross salary.
Check your marginLook at what remains after core costs, savings and recurring obligations.
Keep the date visiblePrices, exchange rates and housing markets change at different speeds.
Comparison FAQ
Questions that change the answer.
Use these checks when the headline percentage looks surprising or when the two cities appear unusually close.
Which city is more expensive, Islamabad or Karachi?
Karachi is modeled as 18% less expensive than Islamabad for one person with a balanced lifestyle. The result is driven most by housing.
How much salary would I need in Karachi?
If you currently take home $6,500 per month in Islamabad, the spending-equivalent estimate for Karachi is $5,330. This is a budget translation, not a market salary prediction or a tax calculation.
What changes the Islamabad and Karachi comparison most?
Housing has the largest modeled difference at $70 per month. Housing, transport and household size can outweigh smaller category changes, so replace those assumptions first.
Why is the reverse percentage different?
The forward percentage uses Islamabad as the base. Reversing the comparison uses Karachi as the base, so Islamabad is 22% more expensive in the reverse statement. Both calculations can be correct because the denominator changes.
Do these city estimates include taxes or moving costs?
No. The comparison covers recurring living categories in USD equivalent. Income tax, benefits, savings, debt, childcare, education, deposits, visas and one-time moving costs need to be added for your situation.