Cost of living in Pakistan compared to China
Currency:
| Food | - 38% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Pakistan is 38% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Pakistan | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₨1,155 (29元) | 44元 | - 34% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₨1,180 (30元) | 38元 | - 21% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₨523 (13元) | 15元 | - 10% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₨231 (5.82元) | 14元 | - 58% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₨309 (8元) | 15元 | - 49% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₨165 (4.17元) | 11元 | - 61% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₨836 (21元) | 50元 | - 58% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₨279 (7元) | 16元 | - 57% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₨128 (3.23元) | 6元 | - 50% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₨391 (10元) | 7元 | + 47% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₨2,624 (66元) | 89元 | - 25% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₨210 (5.30元) | 8元 | - 33% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₨153 (3.87元) | 12元 | - 68% | |
| Housing | - 61% | |||
| Housing in Pakistan is 61% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Pakistan | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₨137,741 (3,473元) | 11,793元 | - 71% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₨58,708 (1,480元) | 4,991元 | - 70% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₨21,580 (544元) | 429元 | + 27% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₨79,067 (1,994元) | 6,388元 | - 69% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₨35,699 (900元) | 3,587元 | - 75% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₨17,044 (430元) | 296元 | + 45% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₨2,308 (58元) | 100元 | - 42% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₨58,431 (1,473元) | 1,460元 | + 1% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₨29,384 (741元) | 553元 | + 34% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₨1,281 (32元) | 45元 | - 29% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₨625 (16元) | 50元 | - 68% | |
| Clothes | - 44% | |||
| Clothes in Pakistan is 44% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Pakistan | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₨4,832 (122元) | 418元 | - 71% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₨9,004 (227元) | 302元 | - 25% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₨13,089 (330元) | 553元 | - 40% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₨13,255 (334元) | 705元 | - 53% | |
| Transportation | - 39% | |||
| Transportation in Pakistan is 39% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Pakistan | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₨2,800,000 (70,600元) | 141,513元 | - 50% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₨272 (7元) | 8元 | - 10% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₨4,030 (102元) | 217元 | - 53% | |
| Personal Care | - 62% | |||
| Personal Care in Pakistan is 62% cheaper than in China | ||||
| Pakistan | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₨230 (5.79元) | 45元 | - 87% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₨838 (21元) | 60元 | - 65% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₨3,307 (83元) | 114元 | - 27% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₨1,222 (31元) | 67元 | - 54% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₨649 (16元) | 57元 | - 71% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₨557 (14元) | 25元 | - 44% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₨396 (10元) | 6元 | + 62% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₨217 (5.48元) | 15元 | - 64% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₨495 (12元) | 64元 | - 81% | |
| Entertainment | + 69% | |||
| Entertainment in Pakistan is 69% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Pakistan | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₨3,859 (97元) | 169元 | - 42% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₨1,827 (46元) | 100元 | - 54% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₨6,844 (173元) | 1,179元 | - 85% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₨8,435 (213元) | 320元 | - 34% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₨2,877 (73元) | 81元 | - 10% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₨566 (14元) | 28元 | - 48% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₨803 (20元) | 19元 | + 6% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₨149,999 (3,782元) | 3,720元 | + 2% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₨255 (6元) | 0.34元 | + 1819% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₨5,226 (132元) | 374元 | - 65% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₨637 (16元) | 25元 | - 35% | |
| TOTAL | - 29% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 1,199 prices entered by 270 different people.
These prices were last updated on July 15, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.02521
CNY
/
PKR
*
Cost of living in Pakistan is 29% cheaper than in China
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