Sri Lanka vs Pakistan
Pakistan costs roughly 88% less than Sri Lanka, though Sri Lanka scores higher on healthcare. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Pakistan is approximately 88% less expensive than Sri Lanka based on cost of living including rent. This makes Pakistan a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Pakistan has a FIRE Score of 100/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 56.3, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Pakistan is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Sri Lanka
A 1BR apartment in central Colombo runs $350/month, less than a parking spot in most US downtowns, and combined living costs stay under $465/month. Neither retirement nor digital nomad visas exist, and the country offers no straightforward permanent residency pathway, so this works as a long-term stopover, not a forever home. English proficiency is high, though English-speaking doctors are limited outside major cities. The dealbreaker: political stability sits negative, so factor in institutional volatility before wiring your savings.
$2,185/mo
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About Pakistan
Safety is the dealbreaker here: a Level 3 US travel advisory, negative political stability score, and no retirement visa, though a digital nomad visa is available. Only extreme-budget FIRE seekers should push past that, since $354.50/mo covers living costs and a 1BR in the center runs just $135.85. Everyone else should treat the 4/10 ease-of-access score as a hard stop.
$2,510/mo
Not sure which Pakistan visa you qualify for?
Answer 11 questions and get a personalized match in under 2 minutes.
Living Costs (excl. rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness Scores
Country Details →Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Sri Lanka | Pakistan |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 2: Increased Caution | Level 3: Reconsider Travel |
| Quality of Life Index | 81.1 | 104.2 +23.1 |
| Healthcare Index | 71.4 +12.1 | 59.3 |
| Safety Index | 57.9 +1.6 | 56.3 |
| Cost of Living Index | 33.5 | 17.8 +15.7 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $464.6 | $354.5 +110.1 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $1,710.9 | $1,191.1 +519.8 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $350.26 | $135.85 +214.41 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $176.19 | $75.93 +100.26 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $783.77 | $309 +474.77 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $279.73 | $176.97 +102.76 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 36.72 Mbps +21.7 | 15 Mbps |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in Pakistan. File confidently from abroad.
File your taxes →International health insurance from $45/mo
Get covered before you move to Pakistan. Genki Traveler offers insurance designed for nomads and expats.
Get a quote →Explore Pakistan
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