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Cost of Living in Dhaka

Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh · Population 19,134,000 · National capital

▲ +24% vs Bangladesh average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)৳43,413 ($371)
Couple, monthly৳77,316 ($661)
Family of four, monthly৳100,244 ($857)

Estimated Prices in Dhaka

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant৳456 ($3.90)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range৳1,825 ($15.60)per meal
Cappuccino৳137 ($1.17)each
Monthly groceries (single person)৳10,343 ($88.40)per month
Monthly public transport pass৳1,673 ($14.30)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment৳4,411 ($37.70)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)৳1,278 ($10.92)per month
Fitness club membership৳1,278 ($10.92)per month
Cinema ticket৳335 ($2.86)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre৳18,677 ($160)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre৳12,993 ($111)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre৳38,979 ($333)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Dhaka is ৳50,193 ($429) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of ৳43,413 ($371) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly ৳56,437 ($482) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (৳12,993 ($111)) represents about 30% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Dhaka

Dhaka vs ChattogramDhaka vs GāzipuraDhaka vs NārāyanganjDhaka vs KhulnaDhaka vs SylhetDhaka vs Rangapukur

Nearby Cities

Siddhirganj

13 km away · Dhaka

Nārāyanganj

16 km away · Dhaka

Tungi

17 km away · Dhaka

Savar

19 km away · Dhaka

Munshiganj

24 km away · Dhaka

Gāzipura

29 km away · Dhaka

Mādhabdi

31 km away · Dhaka

Ghorāsāl

33 km away · Dhaka

Other Major Cities in Bangladesh

Chattogram

Chattogram · pop. 5,253,312

৳42,695 ($365) / mo

Gāzipura

Dhaka · pop. 2,677,715

৳37,702 ($322) / mo

Nārāyanganj

Dhaka · pop. 967,951

৳34,871 ($298) / mo

Khulna

Khulna · pop. 928,891

৳34,871 ($298) / mo

Sylhet

Sylhet · pop. 712,288

৳34,871 ($298) / mo

Rangapukur

Rangpur · pop. 708,570

৳34,871 ($298) / mo

Comilla

Chattogram · pop. 634,654

৳34,871 ($298) / mo

Rājshāhi

Rājshāhi · pop. 552,791

৳34,871 ($298) / mo

Living in Dhaka

Dhaka is the capital and one of the key cities in Bangladesh. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is ৳43,413 ($371), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around ৳12,993 ($111) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to ৳100,244 ($857) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately ৳77,316 ($661) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Dhaka is ৳50,193 ($429). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least ৳56,437 ($482) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dhaka expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated ৳43,413 ($371) per month in Dhaka including rent outside the city centre. That is 24% more than the national average for Bangladesh.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Dhaka?
A net salary of around ৳56,437 ($482) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Dhaka with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Dhaka is ৳50,193 ($429).
How much is rent in Dhaka?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated ৳18,677 ($160) per month in the city centre and ৳12,993 ($111) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about ৳38,979 ($333).
Is Dhaka cheaper than Bangladesh on average?
No — Dhaka is estimated to be about 24% more expensive than the Bangladesh average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in Dhaka?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at ৳10,343 ($88) in Dhaka. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about ৳456 ($4) and a cappuccino runs around ৳137 ($1).
How do transport costs in Dhaka compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Dhaka is estimated at ৳1,673 ($14). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Dhaka are estimates based on Bangladesh national averages adjusted for city size (population 19,134,000) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.