Dhaka is Bangladesh's capital and largest city, home to roughly 21 million people across its metropolitan area. It's a major hub for garment manufacturing, media, finance, and technology. Daily life centers on dense residential neighborhoods, markets, and commercial districts. Traffic congestion is severe, with motorcycles, auto-rickshaws, and buses competing for space. The climate is tropical with high heat and humidity May through October, and cooler, drier weather November through February. The city has strong South Asian food culture, with street food alongside formal restaurants. English is spoken in business and educational settings, though Bengali is the working language.
💡 Local Insights
Dhaka · 2026
Dhaka's cost of living is driven by housing demand in safe, serviced neighborhoods, along with inflation in groceries and utilities. Budget housing (single rooms in shared buildings) costs $150-$300 monthly; mid-range apartments in areas like Gulshan, Baridhara, or Banani run $600-$1,200. Expats typically pay premiums of 30-50 percent over local rates for equivalent space. Food is cheap if you shop local markets (rice, lentils, vegetables under $1 per kilogram) but imported goods cost double or more. Eating out at local restaurants (dal bhat plates) costs $1-$3; upscale restaurants, $8-$15 per person. Transport via auto-rickshaw is $0.30-$0.80 per trip; buses cost $0.15-$0.40. Utilities (electricity, water, gas) run $15-$40 monthly in modest apartments, higher in larger units with air conditioning. Internet is $5-$15 monthly. Local staff and service jobs are low-cost; imported goods and foreign brand products are expensive. The $900 moderate budget assumes mid-range housing, local eating, and public transport.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to live in Dhaka per month?
A moderate lifestyle in Dhaka costs $900/month. This typically covers a one-bedroom apartment in a serviced area ($600-$800), groceries and eating out ($150-$200), transport ($30-$50), utilities ($20-$30), and phone/internet ($10-$15). A tighter budget of $540/month is possible if you live in a basic apartment outside central zones, cook mostly at home, and use public transport. Comfortable living at $1,395/month allows for larger housing, dining out more often, and more reliable utilities.
What is the average rent in Dhaka?
Rent varies sharply by neighborhood and tenant type. Gulshan and Baridhara, popular with expats, charge $800-$1,800 monthly for one-bedroom apartments. Banani and Dhanmondi are slightly cheaper at $600-$1,200. Budget neighborhoods like Mirpur or Uttara offer basic one-bedroom units for $200-$400. Shared housing or rooms in family buildings run $100-$300. Local tenants typically pay 30-50 percent less than expats for identical units. Utility deposits and agency fees add 1-3 months' rent upfront. Most landlords expect annual contracts and require references.
Is Dhaka cheap to live in for expats?
Yes, relative to North American or Western European cities, but less cheap than other South Asian capitals like Kathmandu or Colombo. Housing for expats runs higher due to demand for serviced apartments, security infrastructure, and water filtration. A comfortable expat lifestyle in a decent apartment costs $1,200-$1,800 monthly. Local wages are far lower (garment workers earn $100-$150/month), so pricing reflects two markets. Expats with flexibility can reduce costs 30-40 percent by living in less-polished neighborhoods or sharing housing, though safety and utility reliability suffer.
How much does food cost per month in Dhaka?
Groceries for one person cost $30-$50 monthly at local markets (rice, dal, vegetables, some meat). A kilogram of rice costs $0.40-$0.60; chicken, $1.50-$2 per kilogram. Imported items (cheese, olive oil, specialty grains) are 2-4 times pricier. Eating out at local restaurants costs $1-$3 per meal (curry, rice, bread). Mid-range cafes charge $3-$8 per person. Expat-oriented restaurants in Gulshan run $10-$20. A moderate food budget of $150-$200 monthly assumes cooking at home most days with occasional restaurant meals. Street food is cheap ($0.25-$0.75 per item) but carry health risks for newcomers.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Dhaka?
A comfortable lifestyle costs roughly $1,395/month, suggesting a gross monthly income of $1,800-$2,000 (accounting for taxes and savings). This covers mid-range housing ($700-$900), regular eating out ($250-$300), transport ($50-$70), and utilities ($40-$50). For families, add $300-$500 per additional adult. International school fees for children are $3,000-$8,000 annually, shifting the comfort threshold higher. Expats earning local salaries (under $1,500/month) typically adopt local living standards. Remote workers earning Western salaries ($2,500+/month) live very comfortably.
How does the cost of living in Dhaka compare to other places?
Dhaka is roughly 40 percent cheaper than Bangkok, Thailand, and 50 percent cheaper than Hanoi, Vietnam, for expat housing. It's comparable to Kathmandu, Nepal, but with higher expat housing premiums. Dhaka is more expensive than rural Bangladesh but cheaper than Colombo, Sri Lanka, for mid-range living. Versus US cities, rent, food, and labor are 60-80 percent lower; imported goods and international education are similarly priced. Dhaka's main cost driver for expats is housing scarcity and safety expectations, not food or transport.
Can you live in Dhaka on $540/month?
Yes, but with significant compromises. A $540 monthly budget requires a basic apartment outside central zones ($200-$300), cooking at home almost entirely ($80-$100), using buses and walking ($20-$30), and minimal entertainment or dining out. You'll live alongside local middle-class residents, share bathroom facilities in some cases, and accept basic utilities and internet. Clothing, phone credit, and occasional meals add up fast. This budget works for students or short-term stays with low discretionary spending. Most expats at this level report limited social life and higher stress from infrastructure limitations. Medical emergencies or housing repairs quickly exhaust the margin.
