😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $479 in Chandigarh versus $353 in Birgunj.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $771 in Chandigarh versus $569 in Birgunj.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,063 in Chandigarh versus $784 in Birgunj.
🌍Living in Chandigarh is roughly 36% more expensive than in Birgunj, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Chandigarh65% lower, Birgunj74% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chandigarh
Birgunj
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.13₹297
$1.28NPR 194
144.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$13.39₹1,271
$20.67NPR 3,142
-35.22%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.26₹405
$6.53NPR 993
-34.76%
Cappuccino
$2.72₹258
$1.61NPR 245
68.94%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43₹41.04
$0.60NPR 91.3
-28.33%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.25₹23.77
$0.12NPR 18.51
108.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.07₹196
$2.29NPR 348
-9.61%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.08₹292
$3.69NPR 560
-16.53%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chandigarh
Birgunj
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.72₹68.5
$0.67NPR 102
7.46%
White Bread(500g)
$0.50₹47.89
$0.26NPR 39.87
92.31%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.88₹83.7
$0.64NPR 96.7
37.50%
Eggs
$1.01₹96.1
$1.63NPR 248
-38.04%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.14₹488
$7.35NPR 1,117
-30.07%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.93₹278
$2.37NPR 360
23.63%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$5.48NPR 832
-
Apples(1kg)
$1.78₹169
$2.12NPR 322
-16.04%
Banana(1kg)
$0.78₹74.0
$0.93NPR 142
-16.13%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.09₹103
$1.35NPR 205
-19.26%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.64₹60.7
$0.53NPR 81.2
20.75%
Potato(1kg)
$0.33₹31.42
$0.39NPR 58.8
-15.38%
Onion(1kg)
$0.37₹35.57
$0.55NPR 84.3
-32.73%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.66₹62.6
$0.12NPR 18.03
450.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.33₹30.89
$0.21NPR 31.27
57.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.18₹491
$1.69NPR 256
206.51%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.46₹1,088
$8.02NPR 1,219
42.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.73₹164
$2.22NPR 337
-22.07%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.68₹254
$2.84NPR 432
-5.63%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
$6.53₹620
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Chandigarh
Birgunj
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.31₹29.20
$0.12NPR 18.65
158.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$3.72₹353
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.03₹97.6
$1.93NPR 294
-46.63%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.25₹23.85
$1.27NPR 194
-80.31%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.61₹153
$3.23NPR 491
-50.15%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.07₹102
$1.05NPR 160
1.90%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$12.5K₹1.2M
$29.1KNPR 4.4M
-57.06%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.3K₹2.4M
$35.7KNPR 5.4M
-29.09%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chandigarh
Birgunj
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$45.40₹4,311
$31.96NPR 4,857
42.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.71₹447
$3.20NPR 487
47.19%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$6.70₹636
$7.99NPR 1,215
-16.15%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chandigarh
Birgunj
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$21.10₹2,004
$12.97NPR 1,971
62.68%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.07₹766
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.23₹306
$1.99NPR 302
62.31%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chandigarh
Birgunj
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$60.0₹5,694
$67.0NPR 10.2K
-10.41%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,493₹236.7K
$4,741NPR 720.4K
-47.42%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chandigarh
Birgunj
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.30₹2,592
$26.40NPR 4,013
3.41%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.12₹2,385
$28.84NPR 4,383
-12.90%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$56.8₹5,394
$26.69NPR 4,057
112.89%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$43.72₹4,151
$16.40NPR 2,492
166.59%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chandigarh
Birgunj
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$174₹16.5K
$34.09NPR 5,180
410.71%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$116₹11.0K
$38.95NPR 5,920
196.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$466₹44.3K
$123NPR 18.6K
280.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$284₹27.0K
$79.2NPR 12.0K
259.03%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,973₹282.3K
$655NPR 99.5K
354.29%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,786₹169.6K
$502NPR 76.3K
255.66%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chandigarh
Birgunj
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$431₹40.9K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8
9.72
-17.70%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chandigarh: August 30, 2026
Last update for Birgunj: August 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $174 in Chandigarh and $34.09 in Birgunj. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $13.00 in Chandigarh vs $21.00 in Birgunj for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $116 vs $131 per month, with Chandigarh 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
Chandigarh vs Birgunj: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chandigarh or Birgunj?
Birgunj wins on cost – living expenses run 36% lower than in Chandigarh. 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 Chandigarh and in Birgunj?
You'd need roughly $718 in Chandigarh and $530 in Birgunj 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 Chandigarh compared to Birgunj?
Rent for a central apartment: $174 in Chandigarh versus $34.09 in Birgunj. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Chandigarh and in Birgunj?
Childcare runs $60.0 in Chandigarh versus $67.0 in Birgunj. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do dining costs compare in Chandigarh and in Birgunj?
Dining out is cheaper in Birgunj – a meal for two runs $21.00 versus $13.00 in Chandigarh. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $800/month in Chandigarh or in Birgunj?
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: Chandigarh or Birgunj?
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 Chandigarh compared to Birgunj?
Safety-wise, Chandigarh and Birgunj 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 36% less than in Chandigarh. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Chandigarh vs other spots: cost of living compared