Kathmandu vs Islamabad

Cost of living comparison — which city stretches your money further?

More Affordable

Kathmandu

Nepal

23.8cost index

Kathmandu is 76.2% cheaper than the US average.

Islamabad

Pakistan

25.2cost index

Islamabad is 74.8% cheaper than the US average.

Price Difference

5.9%

Islamabad is 5.9% pricier than Kathmandu

Salary Equivalent

0.94x

If I earnin Kathmandu

I need approx₨220,489in Islamabad

Mirror Your Salary

Expat & Relocation Essentials

Moving between Kathmandu & Islamabad?

Trusted global services to manage international currency, healthcare, housing, and digital security.

Convert NPR to PKR without Hidden Fees

Traditional banks charge 3-5% markups on NPR → PKR transfers. Save hundreds moving funds from Kathmandu to Islamabad.

Travel Medical & Expat HealthSafetyWing

From $45/month

SafetyWing Nomad Insurance in Pakistan

Flexible travel medical insurance covering emergency medical expenses, hospital stays, and travel delays in Islamabad and 180+ countries. Extend or cancel anytime.

Relocation Stays & ApartmentsBooking.com

Verified Stays

Relocation Housing & Stays in Islamabad

Book verified apartments, aparthotels, or initial relocation stays in Islamabad. Flexible cancellation and best rate guarantee across Pakistan.

Cybersecurity & Banking AccessNordVPN

30-Day Guarantee

Secure Home Bank Access from Islamabad

Many national banks flag foreign IP logins from Pakistan. Maintain seamless encrypted access to your home financial accounts and bypass local geoblocking.

Understanding the Kathmandu vs Islamabad Comparison

The cost of living comparison between Kathmandu, Nepal and Islamabad, Pakistanhighlights the economic differences between these two locations. With Kathmandu at an index of 23.8and Islamabad at 25.2, the data shows that Kathmandu is significantly more affordable for the average resident.

When moving or traveling between these cities, it's important to adjust your salary expectations. A salary in Kathmandu does not have the same purchasing power as the same amount in Islamabad. Our Global Mirror tool helps you visualize this difference by "mirroring" your current lifestyle in the target city.