Cost of Living: Pakistan vs Australia

Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between Pakistan and Australia.

Data updated: October 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in Pakistan is 90.9% cheaper than Australia. The biggest difference is in Salaries And Financing, where costs are 94.3% lower. This means that for every $100 you spend in Australia, you would spend about $9 in Pakistan for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Salaries And Financing 94.3%

Pakistan is 94.3% cheaper

Other Expenses 93.7%

Pakistan is 93.7% cheaper

Childcare 91.4%

Pakistan is 91.4% cheaper

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 90.9%

Pakistan is 90.9% cheaper than Australia

Most Expensive Categories

Is Pakistan cheaper than Australia?

Yes, Pakistan is cheaper than Australia

Overall, living costs in Pakistan are 90.9% lower than in Australia.

Where Pakistan is cheaper:

  • Salaries And Financing 94.3% cheaper
  • Other Expenses 93.7% cheaper
  • Childcare 91.4% cheaper

Where Pakistan is more expensive:

No significant cost disadvantages found.

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

Pakistan: 1.86 $ Australia: 16.22 $
88.5% cheaper in Pakistan

1-bedroom apartment in city center

Pakistan: 112.12 $ Australia: 1,381.57 $
91.9% cheaper in Pakistan

Monthly public transport pass

Pakistan: 7.09 $ Australia: 97.35 $
92.7% cheaper in Pakistan

1 liter of milk

Pakistan: 0.79 $ Australia: 1.53 $
48.4% cheaper in Pakistan

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, Pakistan is indeed cheaper than Australia. You would save approximately 90.9% on living expenses by choosing Pakistan over Australia. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

90.9%

Pakistan is 90.9% cheaper than Australia

Restaurants

73.8%

Pakistan is 73.8% cheaper than Australia in this category

Markets

73.0%

Pakistan is 73.0% cheaper than Australia in this category

Other Expenses

93.7%

Pakistan is 93.7% cheaper than Australia in this category

Transportation

19.9%

Pakistan is 19.9% cheaper than Australia in this category

Household Utilities

38.1%

Pakistan is 38.1% cheaper than Australia in this category

Mobile and Internet

75.2%

Pakistan is 75.2% cheaper than Australia in this category

Sports And Leisure

66.6%

Pakistan is 66.6% cheaper than Australia in this category

Childcare

91.4%

Pakistan is 91.4% cheaper than Australia in this category

Clothing And Shoes

57.1%

Pakistan is 57.1% cheaper than Australia in this category

Rent Per Month

90.5%

Pakistan is 90.5% cheaper than Australia in this category

Property Prices

91.1%

Pakistan is 91.1% cheaper than Australia in this category

Salaries And Financing

94.3%

Pakistan is 94.3% cheaper than Australia in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item Pakistan Australia Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 1.86 $ 16.22 $ 88.5%
Pakistan is 88.5% cheaper
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 12.41 $ 77.88 $ 84.1%
Pakistan is 84.1% cheaper
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 4.25 $ 9.73 $ 56.3%
Pakistan is 56.3% cheaper
Regular Cappuccino 1.78 $ 3.48 $ 48.9%
Pakistan is 48.9% cheaper
Soft Drink (330ml) 0.35 $ 2.62 $ 86.6%
Pakistan is 86.6% cheaper
Bottled Water (330ml) 0.22 $ 2.16 $ 89.8%
Pakistan is 89.8% cheaper
Bottled Water (1.5L) 0.37 $ 1.51 $ 75.5%
Pakistan is 75.5% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml) 2.85 $ 5.69 $ 49.9%
Pakistan is 49.9% cheaper
Imported Beer (330ml) 2.96 $ 1.29 $ 129.5%
Pakistan is 129.5% more expensive
Mid-Range Wine 5.68 $ 7.97 $ 28.7%
Pakistan is 28.7% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml bottle) 1.27 $ 1.43 $ 11.2%
Pakistan is 11.2% cheaper
Milk (1L) 0.79 $ 1.53 $ 48.4%
Pakistan is 48.4% cheaper
Fresh Bread (500g) 0.57 $ 2.45 $ 76.7%
Pakistan is 76.7% cheaper
White Rice (1kg) 1.19 $ 2.05 $ 42.0%
Pakistan is 42.0% cheaper
Eggs (12 pack) 1.18 $ 4.31 $ 72.6%
Pakistan is 72.6% cheaper
Local Cheese (1kg) 5.80 $ 8.89 $ 34.8%
Pakistan is 34.8% cheaper
Chicken Breast (1kg) 2.91 $ 8.44 $ 65.5%
Pakistan is 65.5% cheaper
Beef (1kg) 19.24 $ 13.88 $ 38.6%
Pakistan is 38.6% more expensive
Apples (1kg) 1.02 $ 3.19 $ 68.0%
Pakistan is 68.0% cheaper
Bananas (1kg) 0.63 $ 2.75 $ 77.1%
Pakistan is 77.1% cheaper
Oranges (1kg) 0.78 $ 2.93 $ 73.4%
Pakistan is 73.4% cheaper
Tomatoes (1kg) 0.52 $ 4.30 $ 87.9%
Pakistan is 87.9% cheaper
Potatoes (1kg) 0.37 $ 2.47 $ 85.0%
Pakistan is 85.0% cheaper
Onions (1kg) 0.51 $ 2.14 $ 76.2%
Pakistan is 76.2% cheaper
Lettuce (1 head) 0.37 $ 2.22 $ 83.3%
Pakistan is 83.3% cheaper
Monthly Transit Pass 7.09 $ 97.35 $ 92.7%
Pakistan is 92.7% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 1.95 $ 31.15 $ 93.7%
Pakistan is 93.7% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 0.18 $ 2.92 $ 93.8%
Pakistan is 93.8% cheaper
Taxi Base Fare 0.89 $ 3.89 $ 77.1%
Pakistan is 77.1% cheaper
Taxi per Kilometer 0.53 $ 1.88 $ 71.8%
Pakistan is 71.8% cheaper
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 1.77 $ 37.90 $ 95.3%
Pakistan is 95.3% cheaper
Gasoline (1L) 0.94 $ 1.18 $ 20.3%
Pakistan is 20.3% cheaper
New Economy Car 17,729.01 $ 28,829.12 $ 38.5%
Pakistan is 38.5% cheaper
New Mid-Range Car 23,562.30 $ 22,658.59 $ 4.0%
Pakistan is 4.0% more expensive
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 108.80 $ 175.90 $ 38.1%
Pakistan is 38.1% cheaper
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 4.62 $ 26.66 $ 82.7%
Pakistan is 82.7% cheaper
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 15.16 $ 52.98 $ 71.4%
Pakistan is 71.4% cheaper
Gym Membership 13.14 $ 47.43 $ 72.3%
Pakistan is 72.3% cheaper
Tennis Court (Weekend) 8.80 $ 16.59 $ 47.0%
Pakistan is 47.0% cheaper
Movie Ticket 4.25 $ 14.28 $ 70.2%
Pakistan is 70.2% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 38.56 $ 1,570.69 $ 97.5%
Pakistan is 97.5% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 1,163.63 $ 12,354.33 $ 90.6%
Pakistan is 90.6% cheaper
1 Pair of Jeans 15.30 $ 71.57 $ 78.6%
Pakistan is 78.6% cheaper
1 Summer Dress 23.29 $ 50.87 $ 54.2%
Pakistan is 54.2% cheaper
1 Pair of Running Shoes 72.10 $ 102.13 $ 29.4%
Pakistan is 29.4% cheaper
1 Pair of Business Shoes 32.88 $ 109.73 $ 70.0%
Pakistan is 70.0% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 112.12 $ 1,381.57 $ 91.9%
Pakistan is 91.9% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 66.89 $ 1,095.96 $ 93.9%
Pakistan is 93.9% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 274.79 $ 2,332.99 $ 88.2%
Pakistan is 88.2% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 165.19 $ 1,729.44 $ 90.4%
Pakistan is 90.4% cheaper
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 642.32 $ 6,794.53 $ 90.5%
Pakistan is 90.5% cheaper
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 415.87 $ 5,084.33 $ 91.8%
Pakistan is 91.8% cheaper
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 187.38 $ 3,619.71 $ 94.8%
Pakistan is 94.8% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 19.03 6.35 199.7%
Pakistan is 199.7% more expensive

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to Australia. Enter your monthly expenses in Pakistan to see the equivalent costs.

Housing

Food & Dining

Transportation

Other Expenses

Our Methodology

Our cost of living comparisons are based on a robust methodology that combines multiple data sources and regular updates to ensure accuracy:

Data Collection

  • Regular price surveys conducted in major cities
  • Official government statistics and economic indicators
  • User-contributed data from expatriates and local residents
  • Real estate market reports and rental price indices
  • Consumer price indices and inflation data

Calculation Methods

  • Prices are normalized to USD for consistent comparison
  • Exchange rates are updated monthly
  • Regional price variations are weighted by population
  • Seasonal fluctuations are accounted for in the averages
  • Quality of life factors are considered in the overall assessment

Quality Assurance

  • Data is verified by local experts
  • Regular cross-checking with multiple sources
  • User feedback is incorporated into updates
  • Statistical outliers are identified and reviewed
  • Methodology is reviewed quarterly

Note: While we strive for accuracy, cost of living data can vary significantly within countries and cities. These comparisons should be used as a general guide, and we recommend conducting additional research for specific locations.

Lifestyle Impact

Understanding the cost of living differences between Pakistan and Australia goes beyond just numbers. Here's how these differences might affect your daily life:

Daily Living

  • Grocery shopping habits and meal planning
  • Public transportation usage vs. car ownership
  • Frequency of dining out and entertainment
  • Healthcare access and insurance coverage
  • Housing choices and neighborhood selection

Long-term Planning

  • Savings and investment strategies
  • Retirement planning considerations
  • Education costs for children
  • Property ownership opportunities
  • Business and career development

Quality of Life Considerations

While cost of living is important, it's just one aspect of quality of life. Consider also:

  • Healthcare system quality and accessibility
  • Education system standards
  • Public safety and security
  • Environmental quality
  • Cultural and recreational opportunities
  • Work-life balance norms

Making the Most of Your Budget

Tips for adapting to cost of living differences:

  • Research local shopping habits and markets
  • Learn about public transportation options
  • Understand local tax systems and benefits
  • Explore community resources and discounts
  • Network with locals for insider tips

Local Insights for Pakistan vs Australia

While both countries have similar overall costs, there are nuanced differences in how money is spent on daily necessities.

Cultural Cost Differences

Pakistan

Australia

  • Lower grocery costs suggest different shopping and consumption patterns.
  • Lower fuel costs indicate different transportation infrastructure.

Seasonal Cost Variations

Both countries experience moderate seasonal variations in living costs, with prices typically higher during peak tourist seasons and major holidays.

Explore more

Cost of living in Pakistan Cost of living in Australia

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