Back to Feed
Long Read

Faisalabad Paychecks: Are They Worth the Hustle?

@Zara Walsh2/7/2026blog

okay, so i'm sitting on a cracked plastic chair outside the old textile mill, sipping chai, and trying to figure out if the paycheck in faisalabad actually covers the rent and the endless traffic. the sky these days is a dusty orange, like someone spilled tea on a sunrise, and the humidity makes your camera lens fog up faster than you can say 'exposure'. a short drive north you’ll hit jhang, where the fields are greener, and a quick flight west lands you in lahore, where the nightlife is louder but the rent is even steeper. as a freelance photographer, i’m constantly chasing daylight, so the early morning fog over the faisalabad clock tower is a blessing, even if it means i’m late for a shoot. crime rates are low compared to bigger metros, but pickpockets love the market crowds, so keep your bag zipped.

*Bazaars Budget?


the average monthly salary hovers around pkp 30k-35k (roughly $170-$200). after tax, that's barely enough for a one‑bedroom in the city centre, which runs about pkp 25k. outskirts? you can find a spot for pkp 15k, but you’ll be trading proximity for a longer commute through the honking chaos. according to the pakistan bureau of statistics, the average per capita income in faisalabad is around pkp 35k per month, but that number masks huge gaps between factory workers and office managers. a rickshaw ride across town is about pkp 50, but you’ll spend half your day waiting for one in traffic. food prices are surprisingly high for the region. a bag of rice (5 kg) is about pkp 600, a dozen eggs pkp 300, and a plate of biryani at a decent dhaba will set you back pkp 250-300. street food is cheap, but the hygiene factor? that’s a gamble you learn to live with.

Clock Tower Cash


t rent isn’t the only bite. utilities, grocery runs at the big Metro market, and a night out at the Garden cafe can eat another pkp 8k-10k. if you’re a freelance photographer like me, you’ll be juggling gigs at local weddings, ad shoots for textile firms, and the occasional stock‑photo hustle on platforms like shutterstock. rates vary, but a decent day rate is around pkp 4k-5k. the weather these days feels like a damp towel draped over your shoulders, especially when the monsoon clouds linger too long, making outdoor shoots a nightmare.

Garden Groceries


a quick stop at the Bazaar* for fresh mangoes costs about pkp 150 per kilogram, but the quality can be hit-or-miss. a cup of chai at a roadside stall is roughly pkp 30, and if you’re feeling fancy, a latte at the new downtown coffee spot will set you back pkp 200. the city’s public transport is a patchwork of buses and minibusses; the fares are cheap, but the schedules are more of a suggestion than a plan.

> "i heard the new mall on Jhang Road is a goldmine for part‑timers, but the rent there is insane," - a drunk local at the dhaba

you can peek at the latest cost‑of‑living breakdown on Numbeo or read the buzz on the r/Faisalabad board. for a more touristy vibe, check out what travelers say on TripAdvisor and see which eateries get the most love on Yelp.

You might also be interested in:

About the author: Zara Walsh

Loves data, hates clutter.

Loading discussion...