What is the cost of living in Karachi?

The cost of living in Karachi is 86.3% cheaper than New York City (index: 13.7). Groceries are 80.4% cheaper than NYC. Restaurants are 79.9% cheaper than NYC. A 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre costs approximately PKR 31,649 per month. Local purchasing power index is 26.4 (NYC = 100).

🇵🇰 Pakistan · #546 of 577 cities · 2026

Should I Move to Karachi?

Q: Should I move to Karachi?

Karachi, Pakistan has a cost of living 86.3% cheaper than New York City (index: 13.7). It is ranked #546 out of 577 cities globally. Local purchasing power is very weak (index: 26.4 vs NYC = 100). Use our salary comparison calculator to see exactly how your take-home pay would change.

86.3% cheaper to live here than in New York City.

Run the calculator below with your actual salary to get a personalised answer.

-86.3%

vs NYC

PKR 31,649

1-BR, city centre

26.4

Purchasing Power

Very weak

Purchasing Power

Cost index: Numbeo, blended with Expatistan and LivingCost where available (NYC = 100) · Data from October 2026

Personalised Answer

Compare your salary: move to Karachi?

Cost breakdown: Karachi

Cost indices vs NYC = 100

Cost of Living

13.7 Very affordable

Rent

3.3 Very affordable

Groceries

19.6 Very affordable

Restaurants

20.1 Very affordable

Purchasing Power

26.4 Very weak

Rent in Karachi

1-BR, city centre PKR 31,649/mo

1-BR, outside centre PKR 19,916/mo

3-BR, city centre PKR 98,278/mo

3-BR, outside centre PKR 50,685/mo

Save by going outside centre 37% cheaper

Numbeo · 2026-10-02

Considering alternatives?

Cities in the same country or region with a comparable cost of living.

🇵🇰 Islamabad

Pakistan

CoL index 12.3

Compare Islamabad vs Karachi →

🇵🇰 Lahore

Pakistan

CoL index 11.8

Compare Lahore vs Karachi →

🇵🇰 Rawalpindi

Pakistan

CoL index 10.5

Compare Rawalpindi vs Karachi →

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Enter your salary and current city. Get exact take-home pay in Karachi after tax, in seconds.

Compare salaries → Full cost of living data

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