🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $378 in Birgunj versus $423 in Kolkata (Calcutta).
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $620 in Birgunj versus $677 in Kolkata (Calcutta).
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $863 in Birgunj versus $932 in Kolkata (Calcutta).
🌍Living in Birgunj costs roughly 11% less than in Kolkata (Calcutta), driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Birgunj72% lower, Kolkata (Calcutta)68% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Birgunj
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.49NPR 228
$3.16₹305
-52.85%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.16NPR 2,943
$11.50₹1,107
66.61%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.42NPR 986
$4.92₹474
30.49%
Cappuccino
$1.89NPR 290
$1.84₹177
2.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.54NPR 82.4
$0.38₹36.28
42.11%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.14NPR 21.25
$0.13₹12.57
7.69%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.52NPR 387
$1.78₹171
41.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.70NPR 568
$2.92₹281
26.71%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Birgunj
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.74NPR 114
$0.69₹66.4
7.25%
White Bread(500g)
$0.28NPR 43.07
$0.42₹40.78
-33.33%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.67NPR 103
$0.70₹67.9
-4.29%
Eggs
$1.79NPR 276
$1.02₹98.1
75.49%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.94NPR 1,220
$5.33₹513
48.97%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.62NPR 403
$2.92₹281
-10.27%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.04NPR 927
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.27NPR 349
$2.54₹245
-10.63%
Banana(1kg)
$1.06NPR 163
$0.81₹77.6
30.86%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.18NPR 182
$1.26₹121
-6.35%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.70NPR 108
$0.60₹57.8
16.67%
Potato(1kg)
$0.51NPR 78.6
$0.40₹38.85
27.50%
Onion(1kg)
$0.63NPR 96.3
$0.59₹57.2
6.78%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.15NPR 23.66
$0.42₹40.30
-64.29%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.23NPR 35.44
$0.30₹29.33
-23.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.84NPR 283
$3.87₹373
-52.45%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.65NPR 1,329
$9.17₹883
-5.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.36NPR 362
$1.66₹160
42.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.37NPR 518
$2.52₹242
33.73%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
-
$7.55₹727
-
🚌 Getting Around
Birgunj
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.16NPR 24.83
$0.22₹21.12
-27.27%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$2.87₹277
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.12NPR 326
$0.56₹53.8
278.57%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.06NPR 163
$0.30₹28.54
253.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.60NPR 553
$1.99₹192
80.90%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.21NPR 186
$1.23₹118
-1.63%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.3KNPR 5.0M
$15.5K₹1.5M
108.07%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$40.6KNPR 6.2M
$22.8K₹2.2M
78.10%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Birgunj
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$33.18NPR 5,097
$41.64₹4,009
-20.32%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.67NPR 563
$4.06₹391
-9.61%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.85NPR 1,513
$7.18₹691
37.19%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Birgunj
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$14.73NPR 2,262
$15.93₹1,534
-7.53%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$11.45₹1,102
-
Cinema Ticket
$2.16NPR 331
$3.99₹384
-45.86%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Birgunj
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$90.8NPR 14.0K
$43.39₹4,178
109.36%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,718NPR 571.1K
$1,558₹150.0K
138.62%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Birgunj
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$25.12NPR 3,859
$28.22₹2,717
-10.99%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.68NPR 4,252
$30.66₹2,952
-9.72%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$29.27NPR 4,496
$49.15₹4,732
-40.45%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$17.99NPR 2,764
$32.01₹3,082
-43.80%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Birgunj
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$38.60NPR 5,930
$160₹15.4K
-75.83%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$43.96NPR 6,752
$89.5₹8,619
-50.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$141NPR 21.6K
$385₹37.1K
-63.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$85.9NPR 13.2K
$188₹18.1K
-54.40%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$645NPR 99.0K
$1,161₹111.8K
-44.48%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$498NPR 76.4K
$573₹55.2K
-13.16%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Birgunj
Kolkata (Calcutta)
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$373₹35.9K
-
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: July 13, 2026
Last update for Kolkata (Calcutta): July 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $38.60 in Birgunj and $160 in Kolkata (Calcutta). Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $19.00 in Birgunj vs $11.00 in Kolkata (Calcutta) for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $143 vs $114 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 12% 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 $567 in Birgunj and $634 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: $38.60 in Birgunj versus $160 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 $90.8 in Birgunj versus $43.39 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 $19.00 versus $11.00 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 12% less than in Kolkata (Calcutta). Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.