Nomads Data

islamabad, Pakistan

Asia · Tropical

Rank: 287 | Index: 77.0

Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, is a hidden gem for digital nomads. Surrounded by the Margalla Hills, this city offers a unique blend of natural beauty and modern amenities. With its low cost of living, fast internet speeds, and rich cultural heritage, Islamabad is an attractive destination for remote workers looking for a new place to call home.

Budget FriendlyFood ParadiseAdventure BaseCultural HubNature EscapeDN HubSafe Haven
Monthly Cost
$350
Single · No rent
Internet
32.8Mbps
Fixed broadband
Safety
69
Quality of Life
70.485

At a Glance — islamabad

Nomad Index
Rank: 287 | Index: 77.0
Climate
Tropical · 22°C avg · 108 rainy days/yr
Health
63.73 / 100
Pollution
41.54 / 100
Traffic
161.15 / 100
Rent (1BR)
Centre $269.91 · Outside $143.49
Power Grid
96% electricity access
Coworking
0 spaces
DN Visa
Not available
Data from Numbeo, Ookla, Open-Meteo, World Bank & more

City Personality

Islamabad is a city that seamlessly blends tradition and modernity, offering a relaxed and peaceful environment for digital nomads.

Best For

  • digital nomads seeking affordability
  • remote workers who value natural beauty

Less Suitable For

  • those seeking a fast-paced city lifestyle
  • digital nomads with limited budgets
Lifestyle: Cafe culture, outdoor activities
Pace: Relaxed

islamabad Climate & Weather

Islamabad experiences a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. The best time to visit is from September to May, with comfortable temperatures and low rainfall. Summers can be hot, while winters are mild. The city's climate is ideal for digital nomads who enjoy seasonal changes.

Comfortable temperatures from September to MayHot summers and mild winters

islamabad has a Tropical climate.Hot summers and mild winters with year-round rainfall.

Climate Type
Tropical
21.6°C avg · 108 rainy days/yr
Dry Days / Year
294
No rain (≥3 mm)
Daylight Range
9.8h – 14.2h
Varies by 4.4h across the year

Average Daily Temperature

Max TempMin Temp
☀️ Peak Season
Sep – May
Comfortable temperatures · Low rainfall
⛅ Shoulder Season
Jun
Warm or mild · Moderate rainfall
❄️ Off Season
Jul – Aug
Hot or cold · Heavy rainfall

Daylight Hours

DaylightNight
Open-Meteo Archive API

Is islamabad Safe?

Islamabad has a safety index of 69, indicating a generally safe environment for digital nomads. However, petty crime and corruption are concerns. The city has a low crime rate compared to other major cities in Pakistan, but digital nomads should still exercise caution when walking alone at night or in crowded areas.

Low crime rate compared to other major cities in PakistanPetty crime and corruption are concerns
Safety Index
69/ 100
Crime index: 30.79
Daylight Safety
81.06/100
Very Safe
Night Safety
64.03/100
Safe

What Residents Worry About

Home break-in
29.53
Mugged or robbed
31.98
Car stolen
34.19
Things stolen from car
31.54
Physically attacked
23.61
Harassment / insults
21.71
Discrimination
15.81

Crime Severity

Drugs
33.95
Property crimes
34.67
Violent crimes
30.88
Corruption
55.58

Safety Tips for islamabad

  • Research which districts have higher crime rates and plan your route accordingly, especially at night.
  • Familiarize yourself with local laws and keep digital copies of your passport and visa.
Travel Advisory: Level 3 — Reconsider Travel
Risks: crime, kidnapping_or_hostage_taking, terrorism, other
View advisory details
Numbeo — Crime and safety data
Travel advisories — Government travel advisory data

Cost of Living in islamabad

Islamabad has a low cost of living, with a monthly budget of $350 excluding rent. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $270 per month. Food prices are affordable, with a meal at a mid-range restaurant costing around $22. Transportation costs are also low, with a one-way ticket costing $0.18.

Low cost of livingAffordable housing options
Total Monthly Cost
$620
Restaurants
$7913%
Groceries
$7212%
Transport
$11018%
Utilities
$386%
Clothing
$183%
Leisure
$345%
Rent
$27044%
Living $350+Rent $270=$620
International flights and trip insurance not included.
Numbeo — Cost of Living data
Open calculator for detailed breakdown
Adjust household size, lifestyle, and rent preferences

Cost Comparison: Cities in Pakistan

islamabadSelected
$350
/mo
rawalpindiCheapest
$-71
$279
/mo
karachi
$-54
$296
/mo
lahore
$-49
$301
/mo

islamabad vs lahore

islamabad
islamabad
$350
/mo
vs
-$49
cheaper
lahore
lahore
$301
/mo
Full Comparison

islamabad vs karachi

islamabad
islamabad
$350
/mo
vs
-$54
cheaper
karachi
karachi
$296
/mo
Full Comparison

Internet Speed in islamabad

Islamabad has fast internet speeds, with a mobile download speed of 59.8 Mbps and a fixed download speed of 32.8 Mbps. The city's internet infrastructure is suitable for remote work, with low latency and high bandwidth.

Fast mobile and fixed internet speedsLow latency

Fixed Broadband

Fiber, cable, or DSL in your apartment

Download
33 Mbps
Upload
33 Mbps
Latency
7 ms
Excellent

Mobile Data

4G/5G cellular network

Download
60 Mbps
Upload
15 Mbps
Latency
23 ms
Good

Remote Work Readiness

Video Calls
HD calls supported
Screen Sharing
Smooth sharing
Cloud Development
Low latency
Ookla Speedtest Intelligence — Q1 2026

Visa Options for islamabad, Pakistan

Pakistan does not currently offer a specific Digital Nomad Visa, but several tourist visa options are available.

Pakistan offers various visa types, but there is no specific digital nomad visa. Digital nomads can apply for a tourist visa or a business visa, depending on their purpose of stay. The visa application process can be complex, and digital nomads should research the requirements carefully.

Various visa types availableNo specific digital nomad visa
Passport Checker — Pakistan

See what visa you need for islamabad based on your passport

Pick your passport above to see the visa requirement instantly
Digital Nomad Visa Database — visa policy information

Healthcare Quality in islamabad

Islamabad has good healthcare facilities, with a healthcare index of 63.73. The city's hospitals and medical staff are well-equipped to handle various medical emergencies.

Good healthcare facilitiesWell-equipped hospitals and medical staff
Healthcare Index
63.73/ 100

Quality Scores

Skill & Competency
70.33
Speed of Exams
67
Modern Equipment
69
Accuracy of Reports
69.29

Satisfaction Scores

Staff Friendliness
63
Responsiveness / Wait Times
55.28
Cost Satisfaction
51.79
Convenient Location
76.12
Numbeo — Healthcare quality data

Power Grid in Pakistan

Islamabad has a reliable electricity supply, with a grid access of 95.6%. The city's power grid is stable, with a low grid loss of 15.3511.

Reliable electricity supplyStable power grid
Electricity access
96%
of population in 2023
Consumption
0.5k
kWh per person
Reliability
Moderate
grid stability

Energy Mix

13%
28%
17%
27%
11%
Coal13%
Natural Gas28%
Nuclear17%
Hydro27%
Oil11%
World Bank — Power grid statistics

Traffic & Commute in islamabad

Islamabad's traffic congestion is a major concern, with a traffic index of 161.15. The city's roads can be congested during peak hours, and digital nomads may need to plan their commute accordingly.

Traffic congestion a major concernPlan commute carefully
Traffic Index
161.15
Avg commute: 35.91 min / 18.77 km

Overview

Avg Commute
35.91 min
Avg Distance
18.77 km
66.7%
Top Mode
Car
CO₂ Index
7,098

Traffic Indexes

Time Index
35.9
Time Exp. Index
697.8
Inefficiency Index
212.6
CO₂ Emission Index
7098.5

Commute Mode Split

Walking
16.7%
Bicycle
7.1%
Car
66.7%
Bus
4.8%
Tram
2.4%
Motorcycle
2.4%
What This Means for Digital Nomads
  • Traffic congestion is significant — consider accommodation close to co-working spaces or use public transit.
  • Car dependency is high — factor in parking costs and traffic when choosing where to live.
  • CO₂ emissions from transport are high — you may prefer walkable neighborhoods to reduce exposure.
  • Traffic inefficiency is high — avoid rush hour travel and plan routes with real-time navigation.
Numbeo — Traffic data

Pollution & Environment in islamabad

Islamabad has good air quality, with an air quality index of 68.56. The city's pollution levels are relatively low, making it a healthy environment for digital nomads.

Good air qualityRelatively low pollution levels
Pollution Index
41.54/ 100
Cleanliness: 58/100

Overview

Air Quality
69/100
Good quality
Drinking Water
58/100
Good quality
Green Spaces
79/100
Excellent quality
Noise Level
53/100
Moderate noise

Pollution Levels — Lower is better

Air pollution
31.44
Drinking water pollution
42.14
Noise & light pollution
47.31
Water pollution
52.35
Dirty / untidy
29.71

Quality Metrics — Higher is better

Air quality
68.56
Drinking water quality
57.86
Garbage disposal
63.68
Clean & tidy
70.29
Water quality
47.65

Livability

Green & parks quality
78.54
Comfortable to walk
70.77
Quiet at night
52.69
What This Means for Digital Nomads
  • Stick to bottled or filtered water — tap water quality is a concern.
  • Avoid swimming in local rivers or lakes — water pollution levels are elevated.
  • The city is pedestrian-friendly and pleasant for walking — comfortable for daily life without a car.
Numbeo — Pollution data

Real Estate Market in islamabad

Islamabad offers affordable housing options, with a one-bedroom apartment costing around $270 per month in the city center. The city's property prices are relatively low, making it an attractive destination for digital nomads.

Affordable housing optionsRelatively low property prices
Price-to-Income Ratio
14.3years
Loan affordability: 0.5

Overview

1BR City Centre
$270
1BR Outside
$144
Avg Salary/Mo
$382
Mortgage Rate
14.7%

Buy vs Rent

Price-to-Income
14.3 yrs
Mortgage % Income
222.5%
Loan Affordability
0.5
Price-to-Rent Centre
23.9
Price-to-Rent Outside
20.3

Rental Yields & Returns

Gross Yield Centre
4.2%
Gross Yield Outside
4.9%

Apartment Prices

City Centre

1-Bedroom$270
3-Bedroom$590
Price per sqm$1541

Outside Centre

1-Bedroom$144
3-Bedroom$270
Price per sqm$648
What This Means for Digital Nomads
  • Buying property requires 14.3 years of salary — renting is more practical for nomads.
  • Mortgage costs take up 222.5% of income — renting offers more flexibility.
  • Loan affordability is low — plan for upfront cash payments if considering property.
Numbeo — Property data

Frequently Asked Questions About islamabad

Is Islamabad a safe city for digital nomads?
Islamabad has a safety index of 69, indicating a generally safe environment for digital nomads. However, petty crime and corruption are concerns, and digital nomads should exercise caution when walking alone at night or in crowded areas.
What is the cost of living in Islamabad?
Islamabad has a low cost of living, with a monthly budget of $350 excluding rent. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $270 per month.
What are the internet speeds like in Islamabad?
Islamabad has fast internet speeds, with a mobile download speed of 59.8 Mbps and a fixed download speed of 32.8 Mbps.
Are there coworking spaces in Islamabad?
Islamabad has a limited coworking ecosystem, with no dedicated coworking spaces. Digital nomads often rely on cafes, business centers, or home offices for work.
What are the nearby destinations to Islamabad?
Islamabad is close to several nearby destinations, including Rawalpindi and Lahore. These cities offer a unique cultural experience and are easily accessible by road or air.
What is the best time to visit Islamabad?
The best time to visit Islamabad is from September to May, with comfortable temperatures and low rainfall.
How is the healthcare in Islamabad?
Islamabad has good healthcare facilities, with a healthcare index of 63.73. The city's hospitals and medical staff are well-equipped to handle various medical emergencies.
What are the property prices like in Islamabad?
Islamabad offers affordable housing options, with relatively low property prices. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $270 per month.

Key Takeaways

Quick insights for each category

A City with Four Distinct Seasons

Islamabad's climate offers a unique experience for digital nomads who enjoy seasonal changes.

A Generally Safe City with Some Concerns

Islamabad is generally safe, but digital nomads should be aware of petty crime and corruption.

An Affordable Destination for Digital Nomads

Islamabad offers an affordable lifestyle for digital nomads, with low costs for food, transportation, and housing.

Fast Internet Speeds for Remote Work

Islamabad's internet speeds are suitable for remote work, with fast mobile and fixed download speeds.

Visa Requirements for Digital Nomads

Digital nomads can apply for a tourist visa or business visa, but there is no specific digital nomad visa.

Limited Coworking Options

Islamabad's coworking ecosystem is limited, and digital nomads often work from cafes or home offices.

Good Healthcare Facilities

Islamabad's healthcare facilities are good, with well-equipped hospitals and medical staff.

Reliable Electricity Supply

Islamabad's electricity supply is reliable, with a stable power grid and low grid loss.

Traffic Congestion a Major Concern

Islamabad's traffic congestion is a challenge, and digital nomads should plan their commute carefully.

Good Air Quality

Islamabad's air quality is good, with relatively low pollution levels.

Affordable Housing Options

Islamabad offers affordable housing options, with relatively low property prices.

Nearby Destinations

Islamabad is close to several nearby destinations, offering a unique cultural experience.