Living Cost Comparison Pakistan Cities vs Dubai in PKR
A comparison between the prices of goods and services in Pakistan and Dubai reveals that living in Dubai is costly. For easier reference, all prices have been rounded off in Pakistani Rupees as follows:
Housing Costs
Dubai:
- City Center: Monthly rent for an 85 m² (900 sq ft) furnished apartment: ~₨782,861.
- Outside City Center: ~₨443,147
Lahore:
- City Center: ~₨142,376.
- Outside City Center: ~₨68,998
Islamabad:
- City Center: ~₨113,479.
- Outside City Center: ~₨41,033
Utilities and Internet
Dubai:
- Monthly utilities for a standard 85 m² apartment: ~₨72,006.
- Monthly internet (8 Mbps): ~₨20,438
Lahore:
- Monthly utilities: ~₨29,351.
- Monthly internet: ~₨3,112
Islamabad:
- Monthly utilities: ~₨45,690.
- Monthly internet: ~₨3,112
Grocery Prices
Dubai:
- Eggs (12): ~₨1,062.
- Chicken fillets (1 lb): ~₨1,422.
- Apples (1 lb): ~₨704.
- Rice (1 lb): ~₨265
Karachi:
- Eggs (12): ~₨333.
- Chicken fillets (1 lb): ~₨384.
- Apples (1 lb): ~₨126.
- Rice (1 lb): ~₨152
Islamabad:
- Eggs (12): ~₨840.
- Chicken fillets (1 lb): ~₨1,004.
- Apples (1 lb): ~₨296.
- Rice (1 lb): ~₨156
Transportation
Dubai:
- One-way ticket (local transport): ~₨530.
- Monthly pass (regular price): ~₨22,744.
- Taxi start (normal tariff): ~₨910
Karachi:
- One-way ticket: ~₨60.
- Monthly pass: ~₨1,650.
- Taxi start: ~₨200
Islamabad:
- One-way ticket: ~₨50.
- Monthly pass: ~₨1,500.
- Taxi start: ~₨275
Overall Cost Comparison
The cost of living in Dubai is way higher than in other large cities in Pakistan such as Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. However, the cost of housing in Dubai is 450% higher than in Lahore and 330% higher in Islamabad. Groceries and transportation are also roughly 50% expensive in Dubai than in Pakistan.
This comparison shows how expensive it is to live in Dubai compared to Pakistan. However, Dubai has all the necessities of life and infrastructure of a developed city and this is at a very expensive rate.