🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $353 in Birgunj versus $417 in Kolkata (Calcutta).
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $569 in Birgunj versus $665 in Kolkata (Calcutta).
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $784 in Birgunj versus $912 in Kolkata (Calcutta).
🌍Living in Birgunj costs roughly 15% less than in Kolkata (Calcutta), driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Birgunj74% lower, Kolkata (Calcutta)70% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Birgunj
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.28NPR 194
$2.04₹194
-37.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$20.67NPR 3,142
$13.29₹1,262
55.53%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.53NPR 993
$4.13₹392
58.11%
Cappuccino
$1.61NPR 245
$1.64₹156
-1.83%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.60NPR 91.3
$0.43₹41.22
39.53%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.12NPR 18.51
$0.13₹12.70
-7.69%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.29NPR 348
$1.92₹182
19.27%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.69NPR 560
$3.13₹297
17.89%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Birgunj
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.67NPR 102
$0.70₹66.9
-4.29%
White Bread(500g)
$0.26NPR 39.87
$0.46₹43.65
-43.48%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.64NPR 96.7
$0.72₹68.5
-11.11%
Eggs
$1.63NPR 248
$1.05₹100
55.24%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.35NPR 1,117
$5.47₹519
34.37%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.37NPR 360
$2.96₹281
-19.93%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.48NPR 832
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.12NPR 322
$2.53₹240
-16.21%
Banana(1kg)
$0.93NPR 142
$0.80₹76.2
16.25%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.35NPR 205
$1.46₹138
-7.53%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.53NPR 81.2
$0.68₹64.5
-22.06%
Potato(1kg)
$0.39NPR 58.8
$0.30₹28.59
30.00%
Onion(1kg)
$0.55NPR 84.3
$0.38₹36.37
44.74%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.12NPR 18.03
$0.31₹29.34
-61.29%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.21NPR 31.27
$0.26₹24.65
-19.23%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.69NPR 256
$5.15₹489
-67.18%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.02NPR 1,219
$10.39₹986
-22.81%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.22NPR 337
$1.71₹163
29.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.84NPR 432
$2.68₹255
5.97%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
-
$7.04₹669
-
🚌 Getting Around
Birgunj
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.12NPR 18.65
$0.15₹14.59
-20.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$2.13₹202
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.93NPR 294
$0.57₹54.0
238.60%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.27NPR 194
$0.31₹29.24
309.68%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.23NPR 491
$1.79₹170
80.45%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.05NPR 160
$1.08₹103
-2.78%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.1KNPR 4.4M
$14.3K₹1.4M
104.01%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.7KNPR 5.4M
$21.3K₹2.0M
68.14%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Birgunj
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$31.96NPR 4,857
$55.1₹5,230
-41.99%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.20NPR 487
$5.06₹481
-36.76%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.99NPR 1,215
$7.06₹671
13.17%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Birgunj
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$12.97NPR 1,971
$14.23₹1,351
-8.85%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$10.69₹1,015
-
Cinema Ticket
$1.99NPR 302
$3.75₹356
-46.93%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Birgunj
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$67.0NPR 10.2K
$45.21₹4,292
48.09%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,741NPR 720.4K
$1,963₹186.4K
141.46%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Birgunj
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$26.40NPR 4,013
$24.97₹2,371
5.73%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.84NPR 4,383
$22.58₹2,144
27.72%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$26.69NPR 4,057
$31.25₹2,967
-14.59%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$16.40NPR 2,492
$26.49₹2,515
-38.09%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Birgunj
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$34.09NPR 5,180
$162₹15.4K
-78.98%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$38.95NPR 5,920
$95.1₹9,024
-59.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$123NPR 18.6K
$411₹39.0K
-70.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$79.2NPR 12.0K
$210₹20.0K
-62.39%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$655NPR 99.5K
$1,242₹117.9K
-47.31%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$502NPR 76.3K
$617₹58.6K
-18.58%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Birgunj
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$381₹36.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.72
9.27
4.85%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Birgunj: August 30, 2026
Last update for Kolkata (Calcutta): August 29, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $34.09 in Birgunj and $162 in Kolkata (Calcutta). Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $21.00 in Birgunj vs $13.00 in Kolkata (Calcutta) for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $131 vs $117 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 18% 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 and in Kolkata (Calcutta)?
You'd need roughly $530 in Birgunj and $626 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 compared to Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Rent for a central apartment: $34.09 in Birgunj versus $162 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 in Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Childcare runs $67.0 in Birgunj versus $45.21 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 and in Kolkata (Calcutta)?
Dining out is cheaper in Birgunj – a meal for two runs $21.00 versus $13.00 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 in 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 18% less than in Kolkata (Calcutta). Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.