Cost of living in China compared to Pakistan
Currency:
| Food | + 61% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in China is 61% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
| China | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | 45元 (₨1,806) | ₨1,155 | + 56% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | 38元 (₨1,500) | ₨1,180 | + 27% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | 15元 (₨581) | ₨523 | + 11% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | 14元 (₨556) | ₨231 | + 141% | |
| 12 eggs, large | 15元 (₨602) | ₨309 | + 95% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | 11元 (₨429) | ₨165 | + 159% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | 50元 (₨1,990) | ₨836 | + 138% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | 16元 (₨644) | ₨279 | + 131% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | 6元 (₨257) | ₨128 | + 101% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | 7元 (₨266) | ₨391 | - 32% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | 89元 (₨3,525) | ₨2,624 | + 34% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | 8元 (₨313) | ₨210 | + 49% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | 12元 (₨486) | ₨153 | + 217% | |
| Housing | + 162% | |||
| Housing in China is 162% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
| China | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | 11,940元 (₨474,018) | ₨137,741 | + 244% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | 4,991元 (₨198,134) | ₨58,708 | + 237% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | 429元 (₨17,034) | ₨21,580 | - 21% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | 6,807元 (₨270,236) | ₨79,067 | + 242% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | 3,587元 (₨142,417) | ₨35,699 | + 299% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | 296元 (₨11,753) | ₨17,044 | - 31% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | 100元 (₨3,955) | ₨2,308 | + 71% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | 1,460元 (₨57,941) | ₨58,431 | - 1% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | 553元 (₨21,950) | ₨29,384 | - 25% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | 45元 (₨1,796) | ₨1,281 | + 40% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | 50元 (₨1,970) | ₨625 | + 215% | |
| Clothes | + 80% | |||
| Clothes in China is 80% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
| China | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | 418元 (₨16,579) | ₨4,832 | + 243% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | 302元 (₨11,988) | ₨9,004 | + 33% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | 553元 (₨21,954) | ₨13,089 | + 68% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | 705元 (₨27,978) | ₨13,255 | + 111% | |
| Transportation | + 65% | |||
| Transportation in China is 65% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
| China | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | 141,513元 (₨5,617,973) | ₨2,800,000 | + 101% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | 8元 (₨303) | ₨272 | + 11% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | 217元 (₨8,631) | ₨4,030 | + 114% | |
| Personal Care | + 160% | |||
| Personal Care in China is 160% more expensive than in Pakistan | ||||
| China | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | 45元 (₨1,775) | ₨230 | + 673% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | 60元 (₨2,388) | ₨838 | + 185% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | 114元 (₨4,518) | ₨3,307 | + 37% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | 67元 (₨2,660) | ₨1,222 | + 118% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | 57元 (₨2,261) | ₨649 | + 248% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | 25元 (₨992) | ₨557 | + 78% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | 6元 (₨245) | ₨396 | - 38% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | 15元 (₨609) | ₨217 | + 180% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | 64元 (₨2,555) | ₨495 | + 416% | |
| Entertainment | - 41% | |||
| Entertainment in China is 41% cheaper than in Pakistan | ||||
| China | Pakistan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | 169元 (₨6,718) | ₨3,859 | + 74% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | 100元 (₨3,955) | ₨1,827 | + 116% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | 1,179元 (₨46,797) | ₨6,844 | + 584% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | 320元 (₨12,709) | ₨8,435 | + 51% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | 81元 (₨3,213) | ₨2,877 | + 12% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | 28元 (₨1,095) | ₨566 | + 94% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | 19元 (₨759) | ₨786 | - 3% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | 3,720元 (₨147,696) | ₨149,999 | - 2% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | 0.34元 (₨13) | ₨255 | - 95% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | 374元 (₨14,858) | ₨5,226 | + 184% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | 25元 (₨983) | ₨637 | + 54% | |
| TOTAL | + 43% | |||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 1,187 prices entered by 271 different people.
These prices were last updated on July 18, 2025.
Exchange rate:
39.699
PKR
/
CNY
*
Cost of living in China is 43% more expensive than in Pakistan
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