Cost of living in Dhaka (Bangladesh) is 18% more expensive than in Karachi (Pakistan)
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Food | + 35% | |||
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Food in Dhaka (Bangladesh) is 35% more expensive than in Karachi (Pakistan) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dhaka | Karachi | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Taka 273 (₨627) | ₨698 | - 10% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Taka 550 (₨1,261) | ₨1,106 | + 14% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Taka 214 (₨492) | ₨511 | - 4% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Taka 93 (₨213) | ₨217 | - 2% | |
12 eggs, large | Taka 157 (₨360) | ₨311 | + 15% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Taka 88 (₨201) | ₨200 | + 0% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Taka 476 (₨1,092) | ₨785 | + 39% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Taka 305 (₨700) | ₨243 | + 189% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Taka 59 (₨136) | ₨116 | + 18% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Taka 407 (₨934) | ₨450 | + 107% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Taka 1,483 (₨3,405) | ₨2,197 | + 55% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | Taka 137 (₨314) | ₨230 | + 37% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Taka 76 (₨175) | ₨149 | + 18% | |
Housing | - 24% | |||
Housing in Dhaka (Bangladesh) is 24% cheaper than in Karachi (Pakistan) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dhaka | Karachi | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Taka 38,619 (₨88,634) | ₨134,360 | - 34% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Taka 21,464 (₨49,263) | ₨90,256 | - 45% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Taka 4,891 (₨11,225) | ₨28,054 | - 60% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Taka 24,468 (₨56,157) | ₨75,594 | - 26% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Taka 16,311 (₨37,435) | ₨54,960 | - 32% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Taka 2,789 (₨6,400) | ₨23,483 | - 73% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Taka 1,342 (₨3,079) | ₨1,975 | + 56% | |
40” flat screen tv | Taka 42,345 (₨97,186) | ₨66,256 | + 47% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Taka 14,319 (₨32,864) | ₨28,002 | + 17% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Taka 605 (₨1,388) | ₨1,580 | - 12% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | Taka 709 (₨1,628) | ₨1,115 | + 46% | |
Clothes | - 16% | |||
Clothes in Dhaka (Bangladesh) is 16% cheaper than in Karachi (Pakistan) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dhaka | Karachi | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Taka 2,001 (₨4,592) | ₨4,133 | + 11% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Taka 2,394 (₨5,494) | ₨7,242 | - 24% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Taka 4,762 (₨10,929) | ₨14,700 | - 26% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Taka 4,402 (₨10,104) | ₨9,262 | + 9% | |
Transportation | + 56% | |||
Transportation in Dhaka (Bangladesh) is 56% more expensive than in Karachi (Pakistan) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dhaka | Karachi | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Taka 3,658,440 (₨8,396,548) | ₨3,248,850 | + 158% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Taka 115 (₨263) | ₨283 | - 7% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | Taka 2,409 (₨5,529) | ₨3,732 | + 48% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | Taka 514 (₨1,179) | ₨1,195 | - 1% | |
Personal Care | + 23% | |||
Personal Care in Dhaka (Bangladesh) is 23% more expensive than in Karachi (Pakistan) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dhaka | Karachi | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Taka 376 (₨863) | ₨396 | + 118% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Taka 790 (₨1,813) | ₨934 | + 94% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Taka 1,504 (₨3,453) | ₨3,510 | - 2% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Taka 563 (₨1,291) | ₨691 | + 87% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Taka 284 (₨652) | ₨581 | + 12% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Taka 478 (₨1,096) | ₨806 | + 36% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | Taka 95 (₨218) | ₨380 | - 42% | |
Tube of toothpaste | Taka 80 (₨184) | ₨271 | - 32% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Taka 357 (₨820) | ₨680 | + 21% | |
Entertainment | + 8% | |||
Entertainment in Dhaka (Bangladesh) is 8% more expensive than in Karachi (Pakistan) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Dhaka | Karachi | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Taka 1,473 (₨3,381) | ₨3,074 | + 10% | |
2 tickets to the movies | Taka 991 (₨2,274) | ₨1,905 | + 19% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Taka 2,203 (₨5,057) | ₨3,830 | + 32% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Taka 3,597 (₨8,255) | ₨6,891 | + 20% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Taka 762 (₨1,750) | ₨1,353 | + 29% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Taka 253 (₨581) | ₨811 | - 28% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Taka 539 (₨1,237) | ₨812 | + 52% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Taka 42,611 (₨97,797) | ₨101,016 | - 3% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Taka 10 (₨23) | ₨19 | + 18% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | Taka 2,160 (₨4,957) | ₨7,701 | - 36% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Taka 328 (₨752) | ₨530 | + 42% | |
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TOTAL | + 18% |

These prices were last updated on February 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
2.295
PKR
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For example, you would need at least ₨461,060 (Taka 200,887) in Dhaka to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with ₨392,000 in Karachi.
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