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Cost of Living in Islamabad

Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan · Population 1,014,825

▲ +8% vs Pakistan average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)₨80,624 ($290)
Couple, monthly₨143,344 ($516)
Family of four, monthly₨185,624 ($668)

Estimated Prices in Islamabad

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant₨856 ($3.08)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range₨3,423 ($12.31)per meal
Cappuccino₨257 ($0.92)each
Monthly groceries (single person)₨19,396 ($69.77)per month
Monthly public transport pass₨3,138 ($11.29)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment₨8,272 ($29.75)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)₨2,396 ($8.62)per month
Fitness club membership₨2,396 ($8.62)per month
Cinema ticket₨628 ($2.26)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre₨33,893 ($122)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre₨23,578 ($84.81)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre₨70,734 ($254)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Islamabad is ₨101,414 ($365) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of ₨80,624 ($290) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly ₨104,811 ($377) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (₨23,578 ($85)) represents about 29% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Islamabad

Islamabad vs KarachiIslamabad vs LahoreIslamabad vs FaisalabadIslamabad vs RawalpindiIslamabad vs GujranwalaIslamabad vs Peshawar

Nearby Cities

Saidpur

6 km away · Islamabad

Rawalpindi

11 km away · Punjab

Taxila

22 km away · Punjab

Haripur

35 km away · Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Hassan Abdal

35 km away · Punjab

Ghora Gali

36 km away · Punjab

Murree

40 km away · Punjab

Basla

44 km away · Punjab

Other Major Cities in Pakistan

Karachi

Sindh · pop. 20,249,000

₨92,837 ($334) / mo

Lahore

Punjab · pop. 13,004,135

₨91,303 ($328) / mo

Faisalabad

Punjab · pop. 3,203,846

₨80,624 ($290) / mo

Rawalpindi

Punjab · pop. 2,098,231

₨80,624 ($290) / mo

Gujranwala

Punjab · pop. 2,027,001

₨80,624 ($290) / mo

Peshawar

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa · pop. 1,970,042

₨80,624 ($290) / mo

Multan

Punjab · pop. 1,871,843

₨80,624 ($290) / mo

Hyderabad City

Sindh · pop. 1,732,693

₨80,624 ($290) / mo

Living in Islamabad

Islamabad is one of the key cities in Pakistan. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is ₨80,624 ($290), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around ₨23,578 ($85) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to ₨185,624 ($668) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately ₨143,344 ($516) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Islamabad is ₨101,414 ($365). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least ₨104,811 ($377) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Islamabad expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated ₨80,624 ($290) per month in Islamabad including rent outside the city centre. That is 8% more than the national average for Pakistan.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Islamabad?
A net salary of around ₨104,811 ($377) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Islamabad with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Islamabad is ₨101,414 ($365).
How much is rent in Islamabad?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated ₨33,893 ($122) per month in the city centre and ₨23,578 ($85) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about ₨70,734 ($254).
Is Islamabad cheaper than Pakistan on average?
No — Islamabad is estimated to be about 8% more expensive than the Pakistan average, mainly due to housing demand.
What is the cost of groceries in Islamabad?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at ₨19,396 ($70) in Islamabad. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about ₨856 ($3) and a cappuccino runs around ₨257 ($1).
How do transport costs in Islamabad compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Islamabad is estimated at ₨3,138 ($11). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Islamabad are estimates based on Pakistan national averages adjusted for city size (population 1,014,825). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.