Cost of Living in Guwahati - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $388 per month with rent, or $240 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $601 per month with rent, or $395 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $814 per month with rent, or $550 without housing.

Overall, Guwahati is about 71% below the global median. Within Asia, costs are well below average (62% lower) – one of the most affordable options in the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.38 ₹133
$0.91 ₹87.8
$2.85 ₹275
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.52 ₹1,013
$9.34 ₹900
$11.68 ₹1,125
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.79 ₹558
$4.06 ₹391
$5.79 ₹558
Cappuccino
$1.72 ₹165
$1.19 ₹115
$2.39 ₹230
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33 ₹32.21
$0.22 ₹21.17
$0.55 ₹53.4
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.13 ₹12.28
$0.07 ₹7.02
$0.21 ₹20.18
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.37 ₹132
$1.13 ₹109
$3.97 ₹383
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.29 ₹316
$2.35 ₹226
$5.27 ₹508
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.70 ₹67.8
$0.46 ₹44.24
$0.82 ₹79.1
White Bread (500g)
$0.46 ₹44.34
$0.30 ₹28.58
$0.95 ₹91.7
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.54 ₹52.2
$0.34 ₹32.63
$0.68 ₹65.3
Eggs
$0.91 ₹88.0
$0.67 ₹64.2
$1.07 ₹103
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.51 ₹434
$1.40 ₹135
$7.00 ₹674
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.40 ₹327
$2.15 ₹207
$4.31 ₹415
Apples (1kg)
$1.93 ₹186
$0.59 ₹57.3
$2.98 ₹287
Banana (1kg)
$0.75 ₹71.9
$0.49 ₹46.91
$1.20 ₹116
Oranges (1kg)
$0.92 ₹88.4
$0.46 ₹44.68
$2.30 ₹221
Tomato (1kg)
$0.78 ₹75.0
$0.22 ₹21.31
$1.35 ₹130
Potato (1kg)
$0.31 ₹30.24
$0.24 ₹23.18
$0.54 ₹52.4
Onion (1kg)
$0.38 ₹37.05
$0.24 ₹23.03
$0.49 ₹47.06
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.37 ₹35.24
$0.12 ₹11.13
$0.78 ₹75.1
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.28 ₹26.92
$0.16 ₹15.78
$0.34 ₹32.49
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.15 ₹400
$2.97 ₹286
$5.93 ₹571
Wine (Bottle)
$6.84 ₹659
$5.07 ₹488
$7.91 ₹762
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.48 ₹143
$0.91 ₹87.8
$3.65 ₹351
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78 ₹267
$1.37 ₹132
$3.75 ₹361
Buffalo Round (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) (1kg)
$4.25 ₹409
$2.85 ₹275
$9.12 ₹878
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.28 ₹26.81
$0.16 ₹15.72
$0.89 ₹86.0
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$5.98 ₹575
$5.38 ₹518
$11.96 ₹1,152
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.81 ₹78.0
$0.60 ₹58.0
$1.81 ₹174
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.38 ₹37.03
$0.25 ₹24.07
$0.66 ₹63.9
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.42 ₹136
$1.13 ₹109
$2.28 ₹219
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.17 ₹113
$1.05 ₹101
$1.19 ₹114
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$14.0K ₹1.4M
$11.7K ₹1.1M
$14.0K ₹1.4M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.7K ₹1.7M
$16.7K ₹1.6M
$20.7K ₹2.0M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$40.39 ₹3,888
$17.47 ₹1,682
$69.9 ₹6,729
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.32 ₹319
$2.71 ₹260
$7.92 ₹763
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$5.68 ₹547
$4.73 ₹456
$11.82 ₹1,138
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$13.50 ₹1,299
$5.91 ₹569
$17.75 ₹1,709
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.87 ₹854
$5.91 ₹569
$11.82 ₹1,138
Cinema Ticket
$2.98 ₹287
$2.74 ₹264
$8.94 ₹861
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$32.22 ₹3,102
$23.02 ₹2,216
$46.03 ₹4,432
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,953 ₹188.1K
$938 ₹90.3K
$2,578 ₹248.2K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$25.25 ₹2,431
$17.21 ₹1,657
$40.17 ₹3,867
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.21 ₹3,487
$14.21 ₹1,368
$59.2 ₹5,697
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$46.26 ₹4,454
$27.87 ₹2,684
$69.7 ₹6,710
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$42.76 ₹4,117
$25.43 ₹2,448
$57.8 ₹5,563
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$158 ₹15.2K
$86.8 ₹8,358
$255 ₹24.5K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$70.8 ₹6,815
$68.5 ₹6,596
$251 ₹24.2K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$368 ₹35.4K
$282 ₹27.2K
$529 ₹50.9K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$154 ₹14.8K
$119 ₹11.4K
$190 ₹18.3K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$626 ₹60.3K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$415 ₹39.9K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$333 ₹32.1K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7.38
6.5
8

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

Last update: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $158, dropping to $70.8 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 47% of the average salary ($333) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $333 – below monthly costs of $388. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.

Groceries cost around $103 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $11.00 – well below the Asian average of $35.00.

A monthly public transport pass costs about $5.98 – among the cheapest in Asia (average $31.00).

Cost Highlights

Internet is cheaper than 96% of cities in Asia

Public transport monthly pass is cheaper than 95% of cities in Asia

Meal at budget restaurant is cheaper than 95% of cities in Asia

Guwahati Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Guwahati - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Guwahati compare in terms of affordability for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Choosing Guwahati as a base often feels practical for those prioritizing value and pace. The city tends to offer a gentler price range for daily essentials, local meals, and services compared with larger metros, while still delivering decent infrastructure and a growing pool of coworking spaces. You will notice variation across neighborhoods, from quieter riverbank suburbs to vibrant markets, letting you tailor your lifestyle to your budget. Consider the Cost of Living in Guwahati, India as a baseline, then compare housing, transport, and dining to your expectations. Tip: Start with a short-term stay in a few areas to gauge which vibe suits your work and social life best.
What does daily life look like in Guwahati for housing search, food options, transport, and errands?
Daily life in Guwahati blends riverfront charm with practical logistics. When housing, start in neighborhoods near the Brahmaputra or along major markets for easy access to groceries, cafes, and coworking. Renting is often simple for short-term stays, with options ranging from serviced apartments to shared houses. Food options span street bites, local thalis, and evolving cafes with Western comforts. Transport is accessible by auto-rickshaws, buses, and ride-hailing apps, while walking remains pleasant in compact zones. Groceries, bakeries, and services cluster in central wards, easing errands. Guwahati, India living cost varies by area, so align your search with your daily routes. Tip: Map your daily routes to minimize backtracking and test transit options at different times of day.
What factors influence quality of life in Guwahati and what budgeting approach works across seasons and neighborhoods?
Quality of life in Guwahati is about balancing pace, access, and personal routines. Build a simple budgeting framework: separate essentials (housing, utilities, food) from flex spending (entertainment, travel). In two or three favored neighborhoods, you’ll find different rhythms – some areas bustle with markets and nightlife, others calm near parks or rivers. Seasonality matters: monsoon months shift transport and outdoor plans, while festive periods can surge crowds in shops and cafes. To save, tap local markets for fresh produce, choose multi-purpose venues, and set a flexible coworking plan that scales with your work needs. Tip: set a monthly review to keep your budget aligned with how you actually live in Guwahati.
How much does it cost to live in Guwahati in 2026?
For 2026, a single person in Guwahati should plan on about $388 per month with rent, or $240 without housing. That covers a moderate lifestyle – food, utilities, transport, and some leisure – at current local prices.
What makes Guwahati a budget-friendly city to live in?
Guwahati is affordable because both rent and daily expenses are genuinely low. Total monthly costs with housing come to just $388, making it firmly budget-friendly for residents and long-term visitors alike.
How much do people earn on average in Guwahati?
After taxes, the average worker in Guwahati takes home about $333 per month. Of course, that varies a lot by industry and experience – tech and finance pay well above this, while service jobs often fall below it.
How affordable is housing in Guwahati?
Rent is one of the biggest advantages of living in Guwahati – 1-bedroom apartments range from $70.8 to $158 per month, and even central neighborhoods stay accessible on modest incomes. Cheap housing frees up cash for everything else.
Is grocery shopping affordable in Guwahati?
Groceries in Guwahati are cheap – a single person spends about $103 per month. Local markets and budget supermarkets push costs even lower. Food is one of the city's strongest affordability points.
What is a monthly transit pass in Guwahati?
Public transport in Guwahati costs about $5.98 per month – usually unlimited rides on buses, metro, or trams within the main zone. Much cheaper than owning a car, and the practical choice for most residents.
Is $1,000 enough to live comfortably in Guwahati?
$1,000 a month in Guwahati? Very doable. Average costs with rent come to just $388, which leaves real room to save, eat out, and enjoy the city without watching every dollar.
How welcoming is Guwahati to foreigners?
Guwahati has an established expat community and is welcoming to foreigners. vibrant nightlife, wellness scene, great local cuisine smooth the transition, and English-speaking landlords, expat-focused healthcare, and international services are all reasonably accessible. Monthly costs average $388 including housing.
Is Guwahati a cheap city to live in?
Guwahati is affordable by most measures, which is why it appeals to long-term travelers, remote workers, and budget-conscious residents. At $388 per month with rent, it sits well below the global average for cities of similar size.
Can you backpack through Guwahati cheaply?
Guwahati is great for backpackers. All-in costs average just $388 monthly, and even short-term visitors on tight budgets can stretch their money. Cheap hostels, affordable street food, budget transport, and free attractions make it easy to explore without overspending.

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