For one person, living is cheaper in Dhaka: $406 a month against $1,300 in Otsu, rent and utilities included – about $10,700 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.
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 Otsu actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Monthly costs for one person with rent: $406 in Dhaka versus $1,300 in Otsu.
Dhaka $406
Otsu $1,300
Estimated couple costs with rent: $687 in Dhaka versus $1,886 in Otsu.
Dhaka $687
Otsu $1,886
Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $969 in Dhaka versus $2,472 in Otsu.
Dhaka $969
Otsu $2,472
🌍
Living in Dhaka costs roughly 69% less than in Otsu, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.
📊
Both cities sit below the global median: Dhaka70% lower, Otsu4% lower.
Currency
No currencies found
🍽 Eating Out
Dhaka
Otsu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.28৳282
$8.63¥1,364
-73.58%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.33৳1,523
$32.03¥5,061
-61.50%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.95৳488
$5.00¥790
-21.00%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.48৳554
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.13৳510
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.28৳281
$3.24¥511
-29.63%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33৳40.88
$1.23¥195
-73.17%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.16৳19.86
$0.88¥139
-81.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$3.17¥501
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.29¥678
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Dhaka
Otsu
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.85৳104
$1.51¥239
-43.71%
White Bread(500g)
$0.60৳74.5
$1.54¥243
-61.04%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.69৳85.4
$4.52¥714
-84.73%
Eggs
$1.23৳152
$2.12¥334
-41.98%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.80৳1,087
$15.86¥2,506
-44.51%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.33৳412
$6.89¥1,089
-51.67%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.63৳819
$17.02¥2,689
-61.05%
Apples(1kg)
$2.85৳352
$4.90¥775
-41.84%
Banana(1kg)
$0.90৳111
$2.47¥390
-63.56%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.34৳289
$4.88¥771
-52.05%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.63৳78.4
$4.36¥689
-85.55%
Potato(1kg)
$0.24৳29.59
$2.18¥344
-88.99%
Onion(1kg)
$0.46৳57.3
$1.92¥303
-76.04%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.35৳42.79
$1.14¥181
-69.30%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.28৳34.24
$0.94¥149
-70.21%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$12.11৳1,496
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$5.31৳656
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.42৳794
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.28৳405
$3.89¥614
-15.68%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$9.69¥1,530
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.96¥310
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.17¥343
-
🚌 Getting Around
Dhaka
Otsu
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.42৳52.3
$1.49¥235
-71.81%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$22.43৳2,772
$52.6¥8,303
-57.32%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.19৳147
$3.13¥494
-61.98%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.39৳48.71
$2.80¥442
-86.07%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.28৳406
$28.90¥4,566
-88.65%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.10৳136
$1.07¥169
2.80%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.4K৳3.6M
$21.6K¥3.4M
36.38%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.2K৳4.0M
$15.2K¥2.4M
111.18%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Dhaka
Otsu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$38.28৳4,729
$115¥18.2K
-66.77%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.09৳506
$23.03¥3,639
-82.24%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.02৳1,114
$30.88¥4,878
-70.79%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Dhaka
Otsu
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$13.66৳1,688
$51.2¥8,082
-73.29%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.21৳1,261
$9.67¥1,528
5.58%
Cinema Ticket
$4.11৳508
$12.33¥1,948
-66.67%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Dhaka
Otsu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$90.7৳11.2K
$569¥89.9K
-84.05%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,591৳320.2K
$12.4K¥2.0M
-79.10%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Dhaka
Otsu
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$17.06৳2,108
$56.7¥8,955
-69.90%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$21.38৳2,641
$35.70¥5,639
-40.11%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$51.4৳6,355
$69.3¥10.9K
-25.75%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$36.78৳4,545
$98.8¥15.6K
-62.78%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Dhaka
Otsu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$133৳16.4K
$450¥71.1K
-70.43%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$65.1৳8,041
$376¥59.4K
-82.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$377৳46.6K
$625¥98.7K
-39.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$192৳23.8K
$461¥72.8K
-58.23%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,621৳200.3K
$4,259¥672.9K
-61.93%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$760৳93.9K
$1,749¥276.3K
-56.55%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Dhaka
Otsu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$246৳30.4K
$1,814¥286.6K
-86.43%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.48
2.1
399.05%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Dhaka: October 10, 2026
Last update for Otsu: October 12, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
🛒Groceries & Markets
Dhaka
$124 30.5%
Otsu
$331 25.4% ↑ 167%$207
🏠Accommodation & Living
Dhaka
$65 16%
Otsu
$376 28.9% ↑ 478%$311
🍽Eating Out
Dhaka
$59 14.6%
Otsu
$156 12% ↑ 162%$96
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Dhaka
$57 14.1%
Otsu
$117 9% ↑ 106%$60
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Dhaka
$51 12.7%
Otsu
$169 13% ↑ 229%$118
🚌Getting Around
Dhaka
$27 6.7%
Otsu
$76 5.8% ↑ 177%$48
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Dhaka
$22 5.4%
Otsu
$76 5.8% ↑ 246%$54
🛒Groceries & Markets
Dhaka
$304 31.4%
Otsu
$770 31.1% ↑ 153%$465
🏠Accommodation & Living
Dhaka
$192 19.9%
Otsu
$461 18.6% ↑ 139%$268
🍽Eating Out
Dhaka
$180 18.6%
Otsu
$473 19.2% ↑ 163%$293
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Dhaka
$127 13.1%
Otsu
$260 10.5% ↑ 106%$134
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Dhaka
$55 5.7%
Otsu
$192 7.8% ↑ 246%$137
🚌Getting Around
Dhaka
$55 5.7%
Otsu
$154 6.2% ↑ 178%$99
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Dhaka
$54 5.6%
Otsu
$161 6.5% ↑ 199%$107
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $133 in Dhaka and $450 in Otsu. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Otsu pays 637% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $12.00 in Dhaka vs $32.00 in Otsu for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $124 vs $331 per month, with Dhaka cheaper across the board.
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 Otsu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Otsu cheaper than Dhaka?
Dhaka is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, eating out, and clothing. The 220% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Dhaka or Otsu?
On paper, salaries run 637% lower in Otsu. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Dhaka and Otsu?
Rent for a central apartment: $133 in Dhaka versus $450 in Otsu. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Dhaka and in Otsu?
All in, you'll spend $406 per month in Dhaka versus $1,300 in Otsu – a 220% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Dhaka runs roughly 134% less than in Otsu. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Dhaka or in Otsu?
At $406 in Dhaka versus $1,300 in Otsu, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Dhaka but tight or insufficient in Otsu. The gap between the two cities makes Dhaka the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is it better to live in Dhaka or in Otsu?
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.
Which city is safer, Dhaka or Otsu?
Safety-wise, Dhaka and Otsu 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Dhaka gentler on the wallet – expenses run 220% less than in Otsu. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.