Cost of Living in Pakistan: 2022 vs 2026 Comparison
Why this matters: local context for readers following news across Pakistan and the region.
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan is facing sharp rise in the cost of living, driven by years of high inflation, and recent US-Iran war that continues to leave deep economic scars. Although inflationary pressure had shown some moderation before geopolitical tensions, the overall price environment remains stubbornly high. At the same time, rising instability in the Gulf region is being closely monitored for its ripple effects on global oil prices, energy security, shipping routes, and foreign investment flows into emerging markets like Pakistan. Pakistan Cost of Living in 2022 vs 2026 Category / Item 2022 (Approx.) 2026 (May, Approx.) Change Petrol (1L) Rs. 150 Rs. 399–415 ~2.7× increase Diesel (1L) Rs. 144 Rs. 414+ ~3× increase Milk (1L) Rs. 120–160 Rs. 200–240 +50–100% Flour (20kg) Rs. 1,100–1,800 Rs. 2,050–2,300+ ~50–100% rise Sugar (1kg) Rs. 75–100 Rs. 150–188 ~80–100% increase Rice (1kg) Rs. 100–150 Rs. 150–300 Up to 100% rise Chicken (1kg) Rs. 300–450 Rs. 400–600+ Big increase Eggs (12) ~Rs. 150–200 Rs. 280–350 Sharp rise Bread (500g) Lower price level Rs. 150–160 ~50–80% increase 1BR Rent Rs. 15,000–30,000 ~Rs. 36,000 ~50–100%+ increase 1BR Rent Outside Rs. 10,000–20,000 Rs. 20,000–22,000 Moderate rise Utilities (85m²) Rs. 10,000–20,000 Rs. 20,000–38,000 Nearly doubled Cheap Meal Rs. 300–400 Rs. 600 ~50–100% increase Meal for 2 Rs. 2,000–3,000 Rs. 4,000 ~50–100% rise Electricity Prices Category 2022 (Approx.) 2026 (May, Approx.) Electricity (per kWh / unit) Rs. 15–25 (slab-based) Rs. 30–35+ average Utilities (monthly incl. electricity) Rs. 10,000–20,000 Rs. 20,000–38,000+ On ground, the impact is already severe. Consumers across the country report that prices of essential goods have jumped by around 20–25%, with basic staples such as flour alone increasing by approximately Rs50 to Rs100. While incomes have largely remained unchanged, this mismatch has rapidly eroded household purchasing power. The strain is not confined to homes—it is increasingly spilling into workplaces,