Urooj Niazi 
cost of living in lahore 2025 prices & expenses
Lahore moves at its own pace. Markets open early, tea stalls smell of cardamom, and the noise never really fades. But every cup of chai feels heavier on the pocket now. The Cost of Living in Lahore 2025 is the talk at every tea shop. People say salaries didn’t climb fast enough, but bills surely did.
Cost Breakdown Table – Monthly Living Expenses in Lahore (2025)
| Category | Average Monthly Cost (PKR) | Remarks |
| Rent (1-bed, city centre) | 65,000 – 90,000 | Gulberg, DHA, or Johar Town |
| Utilities | 20,000 – 25,000 | Bills swing high in summer |
| Groceries | 70,000 – 90,000 | Meat and oil lead the rise |
| Transport | 15,000 – 25,000 | Petrol ~293 per litre |
| Internet & Mobile | 4,000 – 6,000 | Reliable only in certain areas |
| School Fees | 15,000 – 35,000 | Private education costs bite |
| Healthcare | 8,000 – 20,000 | Depends on hospital visits |
| Entertainment | 10,000 – 20,000 | Cafés, cinema, weekend drives |
| Clothing & Care | 10,000 – 18,000 | Local brands now pricey |
| Total (Avg. Family) | 200,000 – 270,000 | Before savings or rent hikes |
Housing and Rent in Lahore
Finding a decent flat feels like running in circles. Rents in Gulberg or DHA hit near PKR 80,000, and some agents still ask for six months’ advance. People move toward Model Town or Township to save a few thousand. Even then, power cuts and water shortages show up uninvited.
Utilities and Electricity Bills
Bills burn faster than light bulbs now. A family using air conditioning crosses PKR 25,000 easily. Gas tariffs jumped too, and winters feel colder without heaters. Solar setups sound nice, but the panels alone can cross PKR 500,000. Not an easy choice.
Food Prices and Daily Groceries
Groceries pinch the hardest. Wheat flour sits near PKR 175 a kilo, sugar around PKR 200, and cooking oil near PKR 650. Chicken at PKR 620 per kg makes biryani a Sunday luxury. Even onions sting the eyes now, PKR 180 a kilo in some markets. Feels harsh, but people adjust plates quietly.
Transportation Costs and Fuel Prices
Traffic still crawls near Liberty Market. Petrol stands around PKR 293 per litre and keeps changing. Office-goers now share rides or switch to motorbikes. Rickshaw drivers refuse short routes below PKR 300. The air smells of exhaust, and patience runs thin.
Healthcare and Medical Expenses
Hospitals stay full. Private clinics charge PKR 2,500 for a quick visit. Medicines jump every few months. People wait for generic options, but imported tablets double the price. A minor fever bill can look like a week’s salary for some.
Education and Tuition Fees
Parents sigh at every school circular. Monthly fees for good private schools hover near PKR 25,000. Elite names like LGS or Beaconhouse touch PKR 35,000. Even coaching centres now charge what used to be half a teacher’s pay. Some switch to online tutoring, it helps a bit.
Entertainment and Social Spending
Still, Lahore doesn’t stay quiet. Cafés stay full on weekends, from MM Alam to Johar Town. A single coffee costs PKR 600. Dinner for four touches PKR 8,000 at average spots. People complain but keep going out, habits die slower than inflation. That’s how we see it anyway.
Internet and Mobile Services
Stable Wi-Fi is now survival. Packages hover near PKR 5,000 for broadband. Freelancers rely on two connections in case one drops. Mobile bundles cost PKR 2,500 for 30GB, sometimes less if you know the right dealer. Feels like you pay more for less speed lately.
Clothing and Personal Care
Seasonal sales feel like old memories. A summer kurta from Khaadi crosses PKR 6,000. Barbershops charge PKR 1,500 for a haircut. Even small items like soap or toothpaste quietly creep up each month. You notice it when the receipt stretches longer than the shopping bag.
Salary and Standard of Living
Average salaries stay around PKR 150,000 to 200,000. Not enough for comfort anymore. Couples now share rent, skip new clothes, and eat out less. A few manage by freelancing after office hours. Feels tiring but necessary.
What Residents Say About Prices
A shopkeeper in Model Town said, “Customers still come, but they buy less. One litre oil instead of two.” A teacher in Gulshan Iqbal mentioned she skips cabs now, walks more. Ordinary people adapt quietly. That’s the Lahore way, complain, adjust, move on.
FAQs
1. What is the average monthly cost of living for a family in Lahore in 2025?
A middle-class family of four spends around PKR 200,000 to 270,000 monthly in Lahore, including rent, food, and schooling.
2. Are rents in Lahore increasing faster than other major cities of Pakistan this year?
Yes, especially in areas like DHA and Gulberg, where average one-bedroom apartments now touch PKR 80,000 a month.
3. How much does a normal grocery bill cost for a small family every month?
Groceries for a small family cost roughly PKR 70,000 to 90,000 depending on meat, oil, and seasonal produce.
4. Which areas in Lahore are still considered affordable for middle-income households?
Model Town, Township, and parts of Iqbal Town remain relatively cheaper, though basic utilities there still add pressure.
5. What are the main reasons behind rising living expenses across Lahore in 2025?
Fuel prices, import costs, and higher school fees together push inflation, making daily essentials harder to manage.
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