Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Dhaka and Ongjin

For one person, living is cheaper in Dhaka: $426 a month against $710 in Ongjin, rent and utilities included – about $3,400 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

21

Cost of Living Index in Dhaka
Learn more

Dhaka Living Index
35

Cost of Living Index in Ongjin
Learn more

Ongjin Living Index

Jump to prices

Dhaka

🇧🇩 Bangladesh

$426

/mo nomad

Ongjin

🇰🇵 North Korea

$710

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Dhaka and in Ongjin

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Dhaka and in Ongjin actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $426 in Dhaka versus $710 in Ongjin.

Dhaka $426
Ongjin $710

Estimated couple costs with rent: $735 in Dhaka versus $1,126 in Ongjin.

Dhaka $735
Ongjin $1,126

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,043 in Dhaka versus $1,543 in Ongjin.

Dhaka $1,043
Ongjin $1,543

Living in Dhaka costs roughly 40% less than in Ongjin, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities sit below the global median: Dhaka 68% lower, Ongjin 47% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.49 ৳306

$2.79 $2.79

-10.75%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$13.06 ৳1,605

$23.34 $23.34

-44.04%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.83 ৳594

$7.98 $7.98

-39.47%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.93 ৳606

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.10 ৳504

Cappuccino

$2.34 ৳287

$1.16 $1.16

101.72%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.30 ৳37.39

$0.98 $0.98

-69.39%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.16 ৳19.96

$0.98 $0.98

-83.67%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.64 $6.64

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.26 $2.26

Milk (1 liter)

$0.80 ৳98.1

$0.93 $0.93

-13.98%

White Bread (500g)

$0.65 ৳79.3

$1.57 $1.57

-58.60%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.71 ৳87.3

$2.26 $2.26

-68.58%

Eggs

$1.21 ৳149

$3.28 $3.28

-63.11%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.67 ৳1,065

$4.66 $4.66

86.05%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.21 ৳395

$2.29 $2.29

40.17%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.70 ৳823

$5.67 $5.67

18.17%

Apples (1kg)

$2.73 ৳335

$6.80 $6.80

-59.85%

Banana (1kg)

$0.88 ৳109

$4.63 $4.63

-80.99%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.37 ৳291

$2.34 $2.34

1.28%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.65 ৳79.6

$2.29 $2.29

-71.62%

Potato (1kg)

$0.24 ৳29.20

$3.50 $3.50

-93.14%

Onion (1kg)

$0.49 ৳60.7

$3.33 $3.33

-85.29%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.32 ৳38.88

$2.31 $2.31

-86.15%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.30 ৳37.31

$0.43 $0.43

-30.23%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$12.07 ৳1,483

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$5.51 ৳677

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.66 ৳819

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.23 ৳396

$4.67 $4.67

-30.84%

Wine (Bottle)

$7.81 $7.81

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.11 $1.11

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.23 $2.23

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.42 ৳52.1

$1.00 $1.00

-58.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$22.54 ৳2,770

$39.98 $39.98

-43.62%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.19 ৳147

$1.57 $1.57

-24.20%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.40 ৳48.60

$2.23 $2.23

-82.06%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.35 ৳411

$41.01 $41.01

-91.83%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.15 ৳141

$0.75 $0.75

53.33%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$30.3K ৳3.7M

$23.0K $23.0K

31.76%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$33.0K ৳4.1M

$27.9K $27.9K

18.41%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$46.32 ৳5,692

$33.78 $33.78

37.12%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$4.33 ৳532

$11.46 $11.46

-62.22%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$10.63 ৳1,306

$45.71 $45.71

-76.74%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$16.37 ৳2,012

$43.61 $43.61

-62.46%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.14 ৳1,983

$14.96 $14.96

7.89%

Cinema Ticket

$4.13 ৳508

$7.75 $7.75

-46.71%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$90.7 ৳11.1K

$109 $109

-16.96%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,649 ৳325.5K

$2,117 $2,117

25.15%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$16.48 ৳2,025

$22.72 $22.72

-27.46%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$21.00 ৳2,580

$27.97 $27.97

-24.92%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$50.3 ৳6,175

$61.6 $61.6

-18.45%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$36.46 ৳4,480

$84.1 $84.1

-56.65%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$152 ৳18.6K

$89.2 $89.2

70.14%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$73.6 ৳9,044

$91.3 $91.3

-19.40%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$436 ৳53.6K

$2,244 $2,244

-80.57%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$214 ৳26.3K

$136 $136

57.03%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,622 ৳199.3K

$1,691 $1,691

-4.09%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$761 ৳93.5K

$1,423 $1,423

-46.50%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$249 ৳30.6K

$214 $214

16.17%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

10.48

7.11

47.40%

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

Last update for Dhaka: October 4, 2026

Last update for Ongjin: October 5, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Groceries & Markets

Dhaka

$123 28.5%

Ongjin

$229 31.8% 87.1% $107

Accommodation & Living

Dhaka

$74 17.1%

Ongjin

$91 12.7% 24.1% $18

Eating Out

Dhaka

$64 15%

Ongjin

$106 14.7% 64.5% $41

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Dhaka

$61 14.3%

Ongjin

$91 12.6% 48.4% $30

Clothing & Footwear

Dhaka

$56 13%

Ongjin

$88 12.3% 58.2% $33

Getting Around

Dhaka

$27 6.4%

Ongjin

$57 7.9% 107% $29

Sport & Entertainment

Dhaka

$25 5.7%

Ongjin

$59 8.2% 140% $34

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $152 in Dhaka and $89.2 in Ongjin. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dhaka pays 16% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $13.00 in Dhaka vs $23.00 in Ongjin for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $123 vs $229 per month, with Dhaka cheaper across the board.

Good to know

🇧🇩 Dhaka

🇰🇵 Ongjin

🕒 Local time

12:23 12:23 PM

15:23 3:23 PM

3 h ahead of Dhaka

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

21,741,000 Capital

152,878

💱 Currency

Bangladeshi Taka BDT ৳

USD USD

📈 Exchange rate

1,000 BDT = 8.14 USD

1,000 BDT = 7.26 EUR

1 USD = 0.892 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to BDT – Bangladeshi Taka Converter

🇺🇸 United States Dollar ($)

🇧🇩 Bangladeshi Taka (৳)

Bangladeshi Taka exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 123 BDT (1,000 BDT = 8.14 USD). 1 EUR = 138 BDT (1,000 BDT = 7.26 EUR).

USD exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

USD to BDT in detail →

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Between locations

Dhaka Ongjin 3,660 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight

From you

Dhaka
Ongjin

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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

Dhaka vs Ongjin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Dhaka is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, eating out, and clothing. The 67% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.

Average pay runs 16% higher in Dhaka, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.

Rent for a central apartment: $152 in Dhaka versus $89.2 in Ongjin. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.

All in, you'll spend $426 per month in Dhaka versus $710 in Ongjin – a 67% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.

A monthly transit pass in Dhaka runs roughly 77% less than in Ongjin. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.

Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Dhaka gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.

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.

Safety-wise, Dhaka and Ongjin are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.

Expats usually find Dhaka gentler on the wallet – expenses run 67% less than in Ongjin. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.