Cost Of Living For a Student in Islamabad 2025
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: PKR
Average monthly spending for students in Islamabad
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Islamabad?
Students in Islamabad spend around 170,000 PKR per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 26,000 PKR or as high as 1.9M PKR. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Islamabad
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Islamabad
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
| 350 PKR | 700 PKR | 1,200 PKR |
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Islamabad is approximatly 700 PKR with meal cost ranging from 350 PKR to 1,200 PKR. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
| 1,100 PKR | 1,700 PKR | 3,400 PKR |
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 1,100 PKR and 3,400 PKR with 1,700 PKR being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Islamabad.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 2,300 PKR | 3,500 PKR | 14,000 PKR |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 2,300 PKR to 14,000 PKR with the average cost being 3,500 PKR for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Islamabad.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Islamabad is around 460 PKR. Price ranges between 290 PKR and 690 PKR depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Islamabad is 280 PKR. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 340 PKR and the minimum being 230 PKR depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 230 PKR on average with 180 PKR and 350 PKR being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Islamabad is between 390 PKR and 720 PKR depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 500 PKR.
Pack of beef price
| 450 PKR | 680 PKR | 1,400 PKR |
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 680 PKR. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Islamabad costs around 260 PKR on average with prices rangeing between 190 PKR and 370 PKR depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 70 PKR to 170 PKR. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 160 PKR on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 5,300 PKR to 390,000 PKR with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Islamabad
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Islamabad?
Around 43% of surveyed students think that living in Islamabad is affordable with proper budgeting while 57% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Islamabad
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options51%
Few low-cost options49%
Based on the survey, 51% of the students living in Islamabad have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 49% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Islamabad
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
| 350 PKR | 700 PKR | 1,200 PKR |
Restaurant meal for one
| 1,100 PKR | 1,700 PKR | 3,400 PKR |
Fine dining meal for one
| 2,300 PKR | 3,500 PKR | 14,000 PKR |
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
| 450 PKR | 680 PKR | 1,400 PKR |
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
| 1,700 PKR | 2,300 PKR | 4,700 PKR |
Average car 1-day rental
| 1,800 PKR | 2,400 PKR | 3,600 PKR |
Average car price
| 890,000 PKR | 1.8M PKR | 2.4M PKR |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 2,400 PKR | 3,500 PKR | 7,100 PKR |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
| 1,100 PKR | 7,200 PKR | 80,000 PKR |
Internet and cable
| 1,700 PKR | 3,400 PKR | 4,600 PKR |
Mobile phone charges
| 1,500 PKR | 2,500 PKR | 7,500 PKR |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
| 920 PKR | 1,200 PKR | 1,800 PKR |
One month gym membership
| 2,800 PKR | 3,500 PKR | 6,900 PKR |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 2,000 PKR | 2,900 PKR | 4,300 PKR |
Woman dress
| 1,900 PKR | 2,600 PKR | 8,500 PKR |
Woman shoes
| 1,800 PKR | 2,500 PKR | 5,800 PKR |
Men's shoes
| 1,600 PKR | 1,900 PKR | 3,900 PKR |
Men suit
| 1,700 PKR | 2,100 PKR | 11,000 PKR |
Regular t-shirt
| 850 PKR | 1,100 PKR | 3,400 PKR |
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 27,000 PKR | 41,000 PKR | 110,000 PKR |
1-bedroom apartment
| 41,000 PKR | 65,000 PKR | 160,000 PKR |
2-bedroom apartment
| 54,000 PKR | 81,000 PKR | 220,000 PKR |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 5.4M PKR | 8.1M PKR | 16M PKR |
1-bedroom apartment
2-bedroom apartment
| $39,000 | $120,000 | $240,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 35,000 PKR | 44,000 PKR | 59,000 PKR |
Double Bed
| 23,000 PKR | 35,000 PKR | 44,000 PKR |
Single Bed
| 20,000 PKR | 27,000 PKR | 34,000 PKR |
Living Room
| 38,000 PKR | 49,000 PKR | 170,000 PKR |
Dining Table
| 18,000 PKR | 23,000 PKR | 44,000 PKR |
Sofa or Couch
| 23,000 PKR | 32,000 PKR | 70,000 PKR |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 23,000 PKR | 35,000 PKR | 69,000 PKR |
Fridge or Freezer
| 20,000 PKR | 31,000 PKR | 43,000 PKR |
Washing Machine
| 27,000 PKR | 39,000 PKR | 71,000 PKR |
Stove or Cooker
| 25,000 PKR | 32,000 PKR | 44,000 PKR |
Mobile Phone
| 29,000 PKR | 35,000 PKR | 50,000 PKR |
Laptop or Computer
| 31,000 PKR | 38,000 PKR | 69,000 PKR |
How do students spend their money in Islamabad?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost15%
15% of total expenses on average (10% to 21%)
| LOW | $22 6,100 PKR |
| AVERAGE | $150 41,000 PKR |
| HIGH | $1,600 450,000 PKR |
| Per Month |
Students in Islamabad typically spend from 10% to 21% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 15% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 41,000 PKR with expenditure ranging from 6,100 PKR to 450,000 PKR. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities7%
7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $3.8 1,100 PKR |
| AVERAGE | $26 7,200 PKR |
| HIGH | $290 80,000 PKR |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Islamabad ranges from 5% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 7,200 PKR with 1,100 PKR and 80,000 PKR being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel3%
3% of total expenses on average (3% to 9%)
| LOW | $6.5 1,800 PKR |
| AVERAGE | $44 12,000 PKR |
| HIGH | $480 140,000 PKR |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 1,800 PKR to 140,000 PKR in a month on commuting with 12,000 PKR being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 3% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 9%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost24%
24% of total expenses on average (18% to 28%)
| LOW | $19 5,300 PKR |
| AVERAGE | $130 35,000 PKR |
| HIGH | $1,400 390,000 PKR |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Islamabad is 35,000 PKR. The cost of groceries can range between 5,300 PKR to 390,000 PKR. Students spend on average about 24% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 18% and 28% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare10%
10% of total expenses on average (7% to 13%)
| LOW | $5.9 1,700 PKR |
| AVERAGE | $40 11,000 PKR |
| HIGH | $440 120,000 PKR |
| Per Month |
Students in Islamabad allocate 7% to 13% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 1,700 PKR to 120,000 PKR with 11,000 PKR being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (1% to 6%)
| LOW | $4.7 1,300 PKR |
| AVERAGE | $31 8,800 PKR |
| HIGH | $350 98,000 PKR |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 1,300 PKR to 98,000 PKR with 8,800 PKR being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 1% to 6% of total expenses with an average of 2% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $18 5,000 PKR |
| AVERAGE | $120 33,000 PKR |
| HIGH | $1,300 370,000 PKR |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 18% of the monthly expenditure of students with 11% and 23% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 33,000 PKR per month with 5,000 PKR being the minimum spent amount and 370,000 PKR being the maximum.
Other Expenses20%
20% of total expenses on average (14% to 26%)
| LOW | $14 3,900 PKR |
| AVERAGE | $92 26,000 PKR |
| HIGH | $1,000 290,000 PKR |
| Per Month |
Emergency Funds For Students
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked students whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes38%
No62%
Based on the survey, 62% of the students living in Islamabad said that they don't have an emergency fund while 38% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy38%
We asked student guardians and parents in Islamabad whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 62% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 38% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether students of have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 67% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 33% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance67%
Easily manages finances33%
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Islamabad
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Islamabad
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
| 1,100 PKR | 7,200 PKR | 80,000 PKR |
Internet and cable cost
| 1,700 PKR | 3,400 PKR | 4,600 PKR |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 1,500 PKR | 2,500 PKR | 7,500 PKR |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 7,200 PKR. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 1,700 PKR to 4,600 PKR with 3,400 PKR being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 2,500 PKR but can range between 1,500 PKR and 7,500 PKR depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Islamabad is around 6.5%. This means that people pay 6.5% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3.7% to 10% depending on salary and location.
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Islamabad
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Islamabad
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 27,000 PKR | 41,000 PKR | 110,000 PKR |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 41,000 PKR | 65,000 PKR | 160,000 PKR |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 54,000 PKR | 81,000 PKR | 220,000 PKR |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 64,000 PKR | 110,000 PKR | 290,000 PKR |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 130,000 PKR | 330,000 PKR | 650,000 PKR |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 110,000 PKR | 160,000 PKR | 470,000 PKR |
House monthly rent cost
| 130,000 PKR | 330,000 PKR | 650,000 PKR |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 160,000 PKR | 410,000 PKR | 660,000 PKR |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Islamabad ranges between 27,000 PKR and 110,000 PKR, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 41,000 PKR to 160,000 PKR. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 54,000 PKR and 220,000 PKR per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 64,000 PKR to 290,000 PKR. The average rent of a townhouse in Islamabad is around 160,000 PKR while house rental costs can be as high as 330,000 PKR per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 160,000 PKR to 660,000 PKR per month.
Apartment and house prices in Islamabad
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 5.4M PKR | 8.1M PKR | 16M PKR |
1-bedroom apartment price
2-bedroom apartment price
| $39,000 | $120,000 | $240,000 |
3-bedroom apartment price
| $130,000 | $190,000 | $580,000 |
Townhouse price
| 46M PKR | 110M PKR | 400M PKR |
House price
| 53M PKR | 320M PKR | 460M PKR |
Villa price
| 64M PKR | 360M PKR | 530M PKR |
The average price of a studio apartment in Islamabad can range from 5.4M PKR to 16M PKR depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 6.4M PKR to 40M PKR. A villa can cost you 360M PKR on average with prices ranging from 64M PKR to 530M PKR.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Islamabad will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 25 | x68 monthly income | 163 |
Property prices in Islamabad can be x68 to x163 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x68 multiples of the average monthly salary in Islamabad.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Islamabad is around 26%. This means that people pay 26% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 17% to 35% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
26% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
| 510 PKR | 5,100 PKR | 76,000 PKR |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
Published: January 30, 2024 Last Update: May 3, 2025
