Cost of Living Comparison Between Birgunj and Kolkata (Calcutta) Cost of Living Comparison Between Birgunj and Kolkata (Calcutta)

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $384 in Birgunj versus $422 in Kolkata (Calcutta).

Estimated couple costs with rent: $620 in Birgunj versus $674 in Kolkata (Calcutta).

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $856 in Birgunj versus $926 in Kolkata (Calcutta).

Living in Birgunj costs roughly 9% less than in Kolkata (Calcutta), driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Birgunj 71% lower, Kolkata (Calcutta) 69% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Birgunj
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.43 NPR 217
$3.26 ₹310
-56.13%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.86 NPR 2,871
$11.67 ₹1,112
61.61%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.68 NPR 1,017
$4.96 ₹473
34.68%
Cappuccino
$1.86 NPR 283
$1.78 ₹169
4.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.54 NPR 81.6
$0.37 ₹35.45
45.95%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.14 NPR 21.88
$0.12 ₹11.91
16.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.58 NPR 393
$1.79 ₹170
44.13%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.68 NPR 561
$2.84 ₹271
29.58%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Birgunj
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.69 NPR 106
$0.68 ₹64.5
1.47%
White Bread (500g)
$0.26 NPR 39.48
$0.40 ₹37.94
-35.00%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.68 NPR 103
$0.65 ₹61.9
4.62%
Eggs
$1.74 NPR 265
$1.02 ₹96.9
70.59%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.81 NPR 1,188
$5.36 ₹510
45.71%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.59 NPR 394
$2.83 ₹270
-8.48%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.04 NPR 920
-
-
Apples (1kg)
$2.26 NPR 344
$2.42 ₹231
-6.61%
Banana (1kg)
$1.04 NPR 159
$0.80 ₹76.6
30.00%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.20 NPR 182
$1.29 ₹123
-6.98%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.64 NPR 97.6
$0.66 ₹62.7
-3.03%
Potato (1kg)
$0.48 NPR 72.5
$0.41 ₹38.79
17.07%
Onion (1kg)
$0.62 NPR 95.0
$0.60 ₹57.0
3.33%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.16 NPR 24.86
$0.45 ₹42.97
-64.44%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.23 NPR 35.13
$0.34 ₹32.00
-32.35%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.86 NPR 283
$3.91 ₹373
-52.43%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.93 NPR 1,207
$8.45 ₹805
-6.15%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.33 NPR 354
$1.73 ₹165
34.68%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.24 NPR 493
$2.51 ₹239
29.08%
Buffalo Round (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) (1kg)
-
$7.31 ₹696
-
🚌 Getting Around
Birgunj
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.14 NPR 20.98
$0.22 ₹20.90
-36.36%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$2.93 ₹279
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.22 NPR 338
$0.60 ₹57.4
270.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.10 NPR 167
$0.30 ₹28.21
266.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.61 NPR 550
$2.01 ₹191
79.60%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.22 NPR 186
$1.24 ₹118
-1.61%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.6K NPR 5.0M
$16.0K ₹1.5M
104.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$41.1K NPR 6.3M
$23.0K ₹2.2M
79.18%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Birgunj
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$33.23 NPR 5,058
$41.72 ₹3,974
-20.35%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.61 NPR 550
$3.84 ₹365
-5.99%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.91 NPR 1,509
$7.12 ₹678
39.19%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Birgunj
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$14.34 NPR 2,183
$16.01 ₹1,525
-10.43%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$11.45 ₹1,091
-
Cinema Ticket
$2.23 NPR 339
$4.13 ₹394
-46.00%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Birgunj
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$90.4 NPR 13.8K
$43.06 ₹4,102
109.82%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,822 NPR 581.7K
$1,560 ₹148.6K
145.02%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Birgunj
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$25.26 NPR 3,844
$27.84 ₹2,652
-9.27%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.58 NPR 4,198
$29.87 ₹2,846
-7.67%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$28.79 NPR 4,383
$49.50 ₹4,715
-41.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$18.31 NPR 2,786
$31.81 ₹3,030
-42.44%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Birgunj
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$37.97 NPR 5,780
$157 ₹15.0K
-75.84%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$44.41 NPR 6,760
$88.0 ₹8,386
-49.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$136 NPR 20.7K
$377 ₹36.0K
-63.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$88.4 NPR 13.5K
$194 ₹18.5K
-54.53%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$664 NPR 101.0K
$1,164 ₹110.9K
-43.01%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$493 NPR 75.0K
$588 ₹56.0K
-16.12%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Birgunj
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$426 ₹40.6K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
12.08
9.9
22.02%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Birgunj: June 1, 2026

Last update for Kolkata (Calcutta): June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $37.97 in Birgunj and $157 in Kolkata (Calcutta). Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $19.00 in Birgunj vs $12.00 in Kolkata (Calcutta) for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $139 vs $112 per month, with Kolkata (Calcutta) cheaper across the board.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Birgunj vs Kolkata (Calcutta): Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Birgunj or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Birgunj wins on cost – living expenses run 10% lower than in Kolkata (Calcutta). Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Birgunj the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Birgunj vs Kolkata (Calcutta)?
You'd need roughly $576 in Birgunj and $632 in Kolkata (Calcutta) to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Birgunj vs Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Rent for a central apartment: $37.97 in Birgunj versus $157 in Kolkata (Calcutta). Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Birgunj and Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Childcare runs $90.4 in Birgunj versus $43.06 in Kolkata (Calcutta). Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do dining costs compare in Birgunj vs Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Dining out is cheaper in Birgunj – a meal for two runs $19.00 versus $12.00 in Kolkata (Calcutta). If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $800/month in Birgunj or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Either city works on $800 a month, though Birgunj gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Birgunj or Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
How safe is Birgunj compared to Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Safety-wise, Birgunj and Kolkata (Calcutta) are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Birgunj gentler on the wallet – expenses run 10% less than in Kolkata (Calcutta). Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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