How the comparison works
For every city we track, the site holds salary data for the same 52 professions. The calculator averages pay across all of them to build a pay level index (Pakistan average = 100). To compare cities, your salary is scaled by the ratio between the two indexes:
Equivalent salary = your salary × (index of new city ÷ index of current city)
The result answers a practical question: "To be paid at the same level relative to the market, what should I earn in the other city?" It is useful for negotiating a transfer, evaluating a job offer in another city, or asking for a location allowance.
Pay level by city
| City | Pay index | Average across roles |
|---|---|---|
| Karachi | 142 | Rs 76,788 |
| Islamabad | 139 | Rs 75,250 |
| Lahore | 129 | Rs 69,615 |
| Rawalpindi | 116 | Rs 62,865 |
| Sialkot | 93 | Rs 50,019 |
| Gujranwala | 91 | Rs 48,942 |
| Faisalabad | 88 | Rs 47,442 |
| Hyderabad | 85 | Rs 45,962 |
| Peshawar | 84 | Rs 45,327 |
| Multan | 80 | Rs 43,173 |
| Quetta | 77 | Rs 41,769 |
| Sargodha | 75 | Rs 40,404 |
Cost of living is a separate question
Pay levels and living costs usually move together, because employers in expensive cities have to pay more to attract staff, but not perfectly. Rent is the biggest difference: a two-bedroom flat in a central area of Karachi, Lahore or Islamabad can cost two to three times as much as a similar home in a smaller city, while food and utility prices vary much less. Before moving, list your four or five largest monthly costs and price them in the new city. Our cost of living guides cover each city in detail, for example Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.
Tips when relocating for work
- Check the salary for your specific role in the new city on the salary by job pages; some roles pay much more in one city than the average suggests.
- Ask for relocation support: travel, a month or two of temporary housing, or a one-time allowance.
- Compare offers on take-home pay with the salary tax calculator.
- Factor in commuting time and cost, which can be significant in large cities.
Frequently asked questions
Which city pays the highest salaries in Pakistan?
Karachi has the highest average pay across the professions we track.
Is Rs 100,000 in Lahore the same as in Karachi?
Not exactly. Pay levels differ by city; the calculator shows the equivalent based on market pay for the same jobs.
Does this include cost of living?
No. It compares market pay levels. Rent and other costs should be checked separately.
How is the city pay index calculated?
It is the average salary across all tracked professions in a city, divided by the average across all cities, times 100.