Cost of Living in Pakistan 2026 — Rent, Food, Tax & BudgetAll figures are shown in EUR for comparability. The local currency of Pakistan is the Pakistani rupee (PKR).
Monthly Living Costs in Pakistan
Average prices from our cost dataset, re-checked on a rolling basis:
1BR Rent
per month, city average
3BR Rent
per month, city average
Groceries
per month, single person
Transport
per month, public transit pass
Utilities
per month, basic apartment
Meal Out
typical price per meal
Monthly budget (single person): €310 (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities)
Monthly budget (couple): €405 (shared 1-bedroom rent, two of everything else)
These are national averages — actual costs vary by city and lifestyle.
How Expensive Is Pakistan Overall?
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (market data; higher = more expensive) | 23.5 |
| Rent index | 3.4 |
| Groceries index | 18.2 |
| Restaurant price index | 17.2 |
| Local purchasing-power index (higher = stronger) | 29.5 |
| Price level index (World Bank, 2024; US = 100) | 24 |
| Property price-to-income ratio | 18.7 |
Salaries by Sector
Typical gross annual salaries in Pakistan from our sector dataset:
| Sector | Typical gross annual (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Engineering | €12,500 |
| Finance | €11,000 |
| IT & Software | €6,000 |
| Construction | €5,500 |
| Education | €4,000 |
| Healthcare | €4,000 |
| Hospitality | €3,500 |
| Retail | €2,500 |
Taxes in Pakistan
Headline tax figures that shape your take-home pay:
| Tax | Rate / amount |
|---|---|
| Effective income tax at €90k gross | 25% |
| Net monthly pay at €90k gross | €6,400 |
| VAT / sales tax | 18% |
| Top personal income-tax rate | 35% |
Worked example: on a €90,000 gross salary, net pay is about €6,400 per month. After rent and essentials (€310), roughly €6,090 per month is left for savings and discretionary spending.
How Pakistan Compares to Its Neighbours
| Country | 1BR Rent | Groceries | Transport | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | €180 | €80 | €15 | 23.5 |
| Afghanistan | €280 | €95 | €8 | 22.2 |
| China | €650 | €180 | €25 | 50.9 |
| India | €160 | €45 | €15 | 20.7 |
Quality of Life Metrics
Beyond cost, these factors shape everyday life in Pakistan:
Safety index
Healthcare index
Internet speed
English proficiency
Life expectancy
Expat satisfaction
What It Costs to Get In: Visas & Residence
We track 13 residence and visa routes for Pakistan — see the full Pakistan visa programme list.
Lowest documented income requirement among tracked routes: €250 per month — Study Visa (student route). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Our engine estimates a minimum financial viability of €400 per month to sustain a move to Pakistan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pakistan expensive?
Pakistan has a cost-of-living index of 23.5 (higher = more expensive). A 1-bedroom apartment averages €180 per month and a single person spends about €310 per month on rent plus essentials.
How much money do I need per month in Pakistan?
About €310 per month covers rent and essentials for a single person (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities). A couple sharing a 1-bedroom apartment needs about €405 per month.
What is the average rent in Pakistan?
A 1-bedroom apartment averages €180 per month and a 3-bedroom apartment averages €320 per month in Pakistan. Prices vary significantly between city centres and smaller towns.
What do people earn in Pakistan?
Typical gross annual salaries in Pakistan range from €2,500 (Retail) to €12,500 (Engineering), based on our sector dataset.
Which residence route has the lowest income requirement for Pakistan?
Among the 13 Pakistan residence routes we track, the lowest documented income requirement is €250 per month (Study Visa). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Ready for the next step? See the full Pakistan country profile and the Pakistan emigration guide.
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