Gilgit, a picturesque city in Pakistan, is known for its stunning landscapes and cultural heritage. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for both residents and potential newcomers.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Gilgit, covering essential categories such as groceries, utilities, and more.

Cost of Living Summary

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced at an average of $1.44 per liter.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs approximately $0.36.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs are priced between $1.15 and $1.42, averaging $1.29.
  • Local Cheese - Local cheese costs between $2.16 and $5.76 per kg, with an average price of $3.96.
  • Water (1.5 liter bottle) - A 1.5-liter bottle of water is priced between $0.29 and $0.65, averaging $0.47.
  • Chicken Fillets - Chicken fillets cost between $2.88 and $3.09 per kg, averaging $3.01.
  • Apples - Apples are priced between $0.36 and $0.72 per kg, averaging $0.54.
  • Oranges - Oranges cost approximately $0.36 per kg.
  • Potatoes - Potatoes are consistently priced at $0.54 per kg.
  • Rice - Rice is priced at an average of $1.62 per kg.
  • Tomatoes - Tomatoes range from $0.36 to $0.72 per kg, averaging $0.54.
  • Bananas - Bananas are consistently priced at $0.54 per kg.
  • Onions - Onions range from $0.54 to $0.72 per kg, averaging $0.63.
  • Beef - Beef round costs approximately $3.24 per kg.

Utilities

  • Mobile Phone Plan - A mobile phone plan with calls and 10GB+ data costs between $1.80 and $2.16, averaging $1.98.

Childcare

  • Preschool (or Kindergarten) - The monthly fee for a private preschool or kindergarten is approximately $10.79.

Clothing and Shoes

  • Jeans (Levis 501 or Similar) - A pair of jeans costs around $7.20.
  • Summer Dress (Chain Store) - A summer dress from a chain store like Zara or H&M costs approximately $10.79.

Sports and Leisure

  • Fitness Club - A monthly fee for a fitness club membership is around $9.

Salaries and Financing

  • Average Monthly Net Salary - The average monthly net salary after tax is approximately $179.92.
  • Mortgage Interest Rate - The mortgage interest rate for a 20-year fixed-rate loan is about 10% per annum.
Worldwide
Pakistan

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for Pakistan are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in Pakistan, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Feb, 2025

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 3 user contributions, as of the most recent update in September, 2024.
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$1.44
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$0.36
Eggs (regular) (12)
$1.29
Local Cheese (1kg)
$3.96
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.47
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.01
Apples (1kg)
$0.54
Oranges (1kg)
$0.36
Potato (1kg)
$0.54
Rice (white), (1kg)
$1.62
Tomato (1kg)
$0.54
Banana (1kg)
$0.54
Onion (1kg)
$0.63
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$3.24
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$1.98
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
$9.00
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$7.20
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$10.79
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$179.92
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
10%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$10.79
Gilgit Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Gilgit offers a relatively low cost of living, especially in terms of groceries and utilities.

The average salary may not be high, but the affordable prices for essentials make it manageable.

Potential residents should consider the cost of childcare and clothing, which are reasonably priced.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Gilgit provides an affordable living environment with low costs in groceries and utilities.

While salaries are modest, the overall expenses are manageable, making it a viable option for those seeking a cost-effective lifestyle.