Bangladesh vs Pakistan Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Pakistan is approximately 11% cheaper than Bangladesh overall, with a cost of living index of 19 vs 21 (NYC = 100 baseline, 2026 data). Pakistan has notably lower rents (9% cheaper on the Rent Index). Food shopping in Pakistan is around 7% cheaper. Local purchasing power is comparable.
Pakistan is 11% cheaper than Bangladesh overall
$3,000 budget in Bangladesh =$2,683/mo in Pakistan
Monthly saving~$317/mo
Rent — Pakistan vs Bangladesh~$200/mo vs ~$220/mo
World Bank 2026GlobalCostData ResearchUpdated April 2026NYC Index = 100
🇧🇩
Bangladesh
20.8
CoL Index (NYC=100)
$250–$458/mo typical
vs
🇵🇰
Pakistan
18.6
CoL Index (NYC=100)
$223–$409/mo typical
Cheaper option
Cheaper country
Pakistan
11% less expensive
Bangladesh GNI
$10.1k
per capita
Pakistan GNI
$6.1k
per capita
Bangladesh Inflation
10.5%
annual rate
Pakistan Inflation
12.6%
annual rate
Expat Score A
2.8
/ 10
Expat Score B
2.9
/ 10
Side-by-Side Comparison
All indices: NYC = 100 baseline · Lower cost index = cheaper · ✓ = winner per metric
Bangladesh
Metric
Pakistan
20.8
CoL Index↓ lower = cheaper
18.6 ✓
6.8 ~$220/mo 1-bed city
Rent Index↓ lower = cheaper
6.2 ✓~$200/mo 1-bed city
15.2 ~$65/mo monthly
Groceries↓ lower = cheaper
14.2 ✓~$60/mo monthly
21.4 ~$4/meal per person
Restaurants↓ lower = cheaper
19.4 ✓~$4/meal per person
$10.1k ✓
GNI / Capita↑ higher = wealthier
$6.1k
10.5% ✓
Inflation Rate↓ lower = more stable
12.6%
2.8
Expat Score↑ higher = better
2.9 ✓
Cost of Living Comparison
Our Verdict: Bangladesh vs Pakistan
Pakistan has a meaningful cost advantage — about 11% cheaper overall. A $3,000/month lifestyle in Bangladesh costs approximately $2,683/month in Pakistan, saving ~$317/month.
Choose Bangladesh if…
Higher local income levels ($10.1k GNI vs $6.1k)
More stable prices — lower inflation (10.5% vs 12.6%)
Enter your monthly budget in Bangladesh to see the equivalent purchasing power in Pakistan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bangladesh vs Pakistan cost of living
Is Bangladesh cheaper than Pakistan?
No, Pakistan is approximately 11% cheaper than Bangladesh based on the Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100). Bangladesh scores 21 vs Pakistan at 19 on the overall index. In absolute terms, average monthly rent is around $136 in Bangladesh versus $124 in Pakistan. Monthly grocery costs average $201 in Bangladesh and $130 in Pakistan. That said, actual daily costs depend heavily on your city of residence, housing choice, and lifestyle — capital cities in both countries command a significant premium over smaller regional cities.
How much cheaper is Pakistan than Bangladesh?
Pakistan is about 11% cheaper than Bangladesh overall. In practical terms, a $3,000/month budget in Bangladesh is roughly equivalent to $2,683/month in Pakistan in terms of purchasing power — a saving of $317/month. Similarly, a $2,000/month lifestyle in Bangladesh translates to around $1,788/month in Pakistan. Dining out in Pakistan is approximately 9% more affordable (Restaurant Index: Bangladesh=21, Pakistan=19). These savings can compound significantly for long-term expats or retirees choosing Pakistan as their base.
How do rent costs compare between Bangladesh and Pakistan?
Pakistan has lower average housing costs based on the Rent Index (Bangladesh: 6.8, Pakistan: 6.2 — NYC = 100). In absolute terms, average monthly rent is around $136 in Bangladesh versus $124 in Pakistan. In both countries, city-centre apartments command a 30–50% premium over suburban equivalents. Expats consistently find the best rent-to-quality ratio by living 15–30 minutes from the city core. Local purchasing power is broadly similar.
Which country is better for expats, Bangladesh or Pakistan?
Both Bangladesh and Pakistan attract significant expat communities, but for different reasons. Pakistan edges ahead on our Expat Value Score (Bangladesh scores 2.8, Pakistan scores 2.9). Pakistan offers lower day-to-day costs, which matters most for those on fixed incomes, remote salaries, or early retirement budgets. Bangladesh has a higher GNI per capita ($10.1k vs $6.1k) — meaning average incomes are higher, which partly offsets the cost differences for locals. Climate, language accessibility, visa pathways, healthcare quality, and expat community size are equally decisive factors — budget alone rarely determines the right choice.
Can I live comfortably in Pakistan on $2,000/month?
With a cost of living index of 19 (NYC=100), Pakistan allows a $2,000/month budget to stretch very comfortably. A frugal single-person lifestyle — shared or suburban housing, home cooking, local transport — typically costs $167–$367/month. A comfortable lifestyle with a private 1-bedroom, regular dining out, and leisure runs $335–$735/month. Inflation is currently lower in Bangladesh (Bangladesh: 10.5%, Pakistan: 12.6%), which affects how purchasing power evolves over time. Expats from high-cost Western countries typically see their purchasing power increase significantly in Pakistan, particularly outside capital cities.