The cost of living in Europe may be shocking to Pakistanis who come unprepared. Here, we compare the cost of living in Pakistan vs. the EU, on the examples of Germany, France, and Italy – countries with the strongest Pakistani communities. As a cherry on top, you’ll find some budgeting tips for expats at the end of the article, don’t miss them!
The average cost of living in Pakistan and the EU
Cost of living in Pakistan vs. cost of living in Europe
How to budget smartly
FAQ — What is the cost of living in Pakistan vs. the EU?
The average cost of living in Pakistan and the EU
As a data source for this article, we’ve used a trusted crowd-sourced database, Numbeo. It collects statistics on the average cost of living in Pakistan, the EU, the UK, and over a hundred more locations.
The amount of funds you spend monthly is linked to your lifestyle, money management, and personal habits. Therefore, we won’t even attempt to provide you with an exact benchmark to follow. Instead, we’ll provide the average cost of living in Pakistan and other countries, so you know what to expect. And, after knowing the average, you can adjust it to your personal experiences so far.
Cost of living in Pakistan per month vs. cost of living in Europe per month
| Country | Family of four, excluding rent (EUR) | Single person, excluding rent (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 991.3 | 295.6 |
| Germany | 3,404.1 | 984.5 |
| France | 3,340.4 | 926.9 |
| Italy | 3,101.5 | 867.8 |
The cost of living in Europe per month for a single person equals the cost of living in Pakistan per month for a whole family! These are mind-blowing numbers, so saving and budget planning must be a top priority for Pakistanis who move abroad.
On the other hand, once you start receiving a European salary, you can spoil your family with gifts and financial support. The key here is to find a trustworthy transfer service, such as Profee, which is ready to deliver your money on time and at beneficial rates. Profee has an official licence, PCI DSS certification and 800,000 expats who need it. The process is simple and smooth – join on the website or in our app and send money in minutes.
Cost of living in Pakistan vs. cost of living in Europe
We already saw the average numbers; now, let’s break down the cost of living in Pakistan and Europe into categories.
Rent
Rent prices have been a major talking point recently, especially given the high cost of living in Europe in 2025. Let’s compare them:
| Type | Pakistan | Germany | France | Italy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom, city centre, EUR | 102.57 | 864.36 | 754.19 | 726.97 |
| 1 bedroom, outside of the city centre, EUR | 60.47 | 663.21 | 602.37 | 562.72 |
| 3 bedroom, city centre, EUR | 253.08 | 1,610.32 | 1,416.57 | 1,261.47 |
| 3 bedroom, outside of the city centre, EUR | 153.02 | 1,238.67 | 1,106.74 | 919.40 |
The difference in rent prices is even more dramatic than it is for the average expenses. A 1-bedroom apartment in a remote area is 10 times more expensive in Europe than in Pakistan. It’s something many newly arrived expats can’t afford. The common solution is to share a flat with others. Sometimes, you can even share a room in a shared flat. The level of comfort is questionable, but at least it helps to deal with the cost of living in Europe. Students can apply for affordable dormitory spots, but the competition is fierce, so only the fastest and luckiest ones secure university rooms.
Utilities
Utility bills are another component of the cost of living in Pakistan and Europe that you can’t avoid.
| Country | Electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage for an 85 m² apartment, EUR | Mobile phone plan, 10 GB, EUR | Broadband internet, EUR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 91.65 | 4.34 | 13.42 |
| Germany | 302.60 | 23.47 | 43.25 |
| France | 186.43 | 19.49 | 30.05 |
| Italy | 195.47 | 10.65 | 27.17 |
If rent prices are something you cannot control, utility bills can be cut with the right approach. Check these tips and adapt to the cost of living in Europe faster:
Groceries
Food is something we spend money on daily, so knowing the exact product prices is a must for smart budgeting.
Cost of living in Europe in 2025 vs. cost of living in Pakistan in 2025: Food
| Product | Pakistan, EUR | Germany, EUR | France, EUR | Italy, EUR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milk, 1l | 0.70 | 1.12 | 1.17 | 1.43 |
| Bread, 500g | 0.50 | 1.91 | 1.78 | 2.05 |
| Rice, 1kg | 1.03 | 2.98 | 2.34 | 2.61 |
| Eggs, 12 | 1.02 | 3.32 | 3.79 | 3.53 |
| Local cheese, 1kg | 5.02 | 12.86 | 17.65 | 14.59 |
| Chicken fillets, 1kg | 2.56 | 11.04 | 12.28 | 10.71 |
| Beef round, 1kg | 3.86 | 17.69 | 18.67 | 17.53 |
| Apples, 1kg | 0.93 | 2.91 | 2.80 | 2.20 |
| Tomatoes, 1kg | 0.45 | 4.18 | 3.15 | 2.89 |
| Potatoes, 1kg | 0.31 | 1.36 | 2.03 | 1.73 |
| Onions, 1kg | 0.40 | 1.27 | 2.16 | 1.63 |
| Water, 1.5l | 0.33 | 0.95 | 0.69 | 0.45 |
| Total | 17.11 | 61.59 | 68.51 | 61.35 |
France turned out to be the most expensive country among our sample, but at least they’ve got good cheap wine – this was an important offtop. But let’s get back to the topic. Since the cost of living in Europe is much higher, even for food products, we collected tips for expats on how to save money on groceries. Read now, thank us later.
How to budget smartly
After comparing the cost of living in Pakistan to European realities, it’s no surprise that money management becomes the primary focus for expats. If you spend funds without a second thought, your money will probably disappear in a couple of days in Europe. Here’s what you can start with:
One month of zero spending
Of course, spending nothing in a whole month is impossible – we all need to pay for rent, utilities, groceries, etc. However, we can cut unnecessary payments to zero. Leave only what you really need to survive and not go insane, and check how much you spend on it. It’ll be a good starting point for planning your future budget, taking into account the difference between the cost of living in Pakistan and the EU.
Work on your emergency fund
When people discuss the cost of living in Pakistan or the EU, they usually miss one thing – emergencies. However, they can put you in debt. Start setting aside a small portion of your income even before you move. The more you have in your pocket upon arrival, the more confident and protected you will feel. Find out how to create an emergency fund here.
Take money transfers seriously
Even if you plan to send money occasionally, the rates and fees can significantly impact your budget. Some services have hidden charges, while others offer poor rates, so you must pick providers carefully. Those who don’t want to lose hundreds of euros, join Profee. This service is fair, transparent, and cost-effective, allowing you to better manage your budget.
As an expat, you can live comfortably even with the high cost of living in Europe. Prepare in advance, find a local job and don’t overspend, and you’ll be more than fine.
FAQ — What is the cost of living in Pakistan vs. the EU?
What is the cost of living in Pakistan?
The average cost of living in Pakistan in 2025 for a single person is 295.6 EUR per month. Rent prices add 60-300 EUR to this amount. What is the country with the lowest cost of living in Europe?
According to Numbeo, the country with the lowest cost of living in Europe (the EU) is Romania, as of 2025.
Where is the best salary to cost of living ratio in Europe?
Luxembourg, Bern, Brussels, Helsinki and Copenhagen are reported to have the best salary to cost of living ratio in Europe.
Which country has the most expensive cost of living?
If we speak globally, the Cayman Islands. In Europe, Switzerland is the most expensive country.
What country has the lowest cost of living in the world?
As of 2025, it’s Libya. Pakistan is ranked second.
How can I send money from Europe to Pakistan?
To transfer money to Pakistan, follow these five simple steps:
- Register at Profee.
- Add the transfer amount.
- Select preferred payment method.
- Enter the recipient details.
- Double-check and finish the transfer.
You’ll set things up in a couple of minutes, just make sure to have a stable internet connection.
