What Is the Cost of Living in Kolkata?
Kolkata, also known as the ‘City of Joy’, is the capital city of West Bengal. Owing to its rich culture, tradition, culinary and numerous job opportunities, the city attracts thousands of people from all around the country. Furthermore, the cost of living in Kolkata is considerably lower than the other metropolitan cities in India.
Continue reading this article to know more about the average cost of living in Kolkata!
How Much Does It Cost to Live in Kolkata?
For someone looking for an affordable city to work or pursue their studies, Kolkata certainly is the place to be. The capital of West Bengal is one of the most affordable cities in the world to live in. The table below shows the approximate cost of living in Kolkata for students or bachelors, couples and a family of four –
| Area of Expense | Bachelors or Students | Couples | Family of Four (2 Adults + 2 Kids) |
| Accommodation | ₹ 4,000 - ₹ 9,000 | ₹ 12,000 - ₹ 20,000 | ₹ 12,000 - ₹ 60,000 |
| Groceries | ₹ 1,500 - ₹ 3,000 | ₹ 3,000 - ₹ 9,000 | ₹ 6,000 - ₹ 24,000 |
| Transport | ₹ 1,000 - ₹ 1,500 | ₹ 1,500 - ₹ 2,500 | ₹ 1,500 - ₹ 3,000 |
| Utilities | ₹ 1,000 - ₹ 3,000 | ₹ 2,200 - ₹ 3,000 | ₹ 2,200 - ₹ 3,000 |
| Entertainment | ₹ 4,500 - ₹ 7,500 | ₹ 2,500 - ₹ 5,000 | ₹ 2,000 - ₹ 5,000 |
| Schooling of kids | NA | NA | ₹ 3,000 - ₹ 10,000 |
What Are the Factors That Determine the Cost of Living in Kolkata?
There are several factors that determine the living expenses in Kolkata. We will talk about these factors in this section.
1. Accommodation
Rental living space in Kolkata is considerably pocket-friendly, unlike other major cities across the country. You can get affordable rental properties in areas such as Gariahat, New Town, Bhawanipur, Garia, Rajarhat, Howrah, Belghoria, Kalighat, Elgin Road and Barrackpore. Additionally, Kolkata offers a lot of paying guest accommodations that help in managing the cost of living in Kolkata for students.
| Classification of Accommodation | Approximate Rent per Month |
|---|---|
| 1 BHK | ₹ 8,000 - ₹ 20,000 |
| 2 BHK | ₹ 12,000 - ₹ 30,000 |
| 3 BHK | ₹ 12,000 - ₹ 60,000 |
| Paying Guest | ₹ 4,000 - ₹ 10,000 |
Best Areas to Live in Kolkata
The table below shows the top posh areas, affordable areas and areas with paying guest facilities in Kolkata –
| Posh Areas | Affordable Areas | Areas With PG Accommodation |
| Alipore | Rajarhat | Karunamoyee |
| Bhawanipore | Dum Dum | Technopolis |
| Ballygunge | Garia | Kestopur |
| Park Street | Ruby connector | Newtown |
| Salt Lake | Baguiati | Ahalya Nagar |
2. Transportation
The City of Joy is well connected with its extensive network of transportation that includes local trains, buses, metro and trams. While evaluating the cost of living in Kolkata, one must consider the money spent to travel around the city. The table below provides the approximate cost of transportation in Kolkata –
| Area of Expense | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| One-way ticket (public transport) | ₹ 15 |
| Monthly pass (public transport) | ₹ 300 |
| Taxi 1 km normal tariff | ₹ 22 |
| Price of diesel (as of 18th February) | ₹ 89.79 per litre |
| Price of petrol (as of 18th February) | ₹ 104.67 per litre |
| Rental bikes and scooters | ₹ 5 - ₹ 6 per km |
| Cabs (minimum cost) | ₹ 85 |
3. Groceries
The amount spent on buying the things of daily needs adds up a significant figure to an individual's monthly budget. The table below shows an approximate price spent on buying some basic grocery items such as mild, rich, eggs, cheese, etc. every month –
| Grocery | Price |
|---|---|
| Regular milk (1 litre) | ₹ 49 |
| White bread (1 loaf) | ₹ 27 |
| Rice (1 kg) | ₹ 50 |
| Regular eggs (1 dozen) | ₹ 75 |
| Local cheese (1 kg) | ₹ 416 |
| Chicken fillets (1 kg) | ₹ 230 |
| Apples (1 kg) | ₹ 172 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | ₹ 53 |
| Oranges (1 kg) | ₹ 99 |
| Tomato (1 kg) | ₹ 40 |
| Potato (1 kg) | ₹ 21 |
| Onion (1 kg) | ₹ 40 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | ₹ 32 |
4. Utilities
Kolkata is one of those Indian cities that have a well-established telephone network. Several national service providers like BSNL and private companies operate telephones and mobile networks.
| Utilities | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Electricity, cooling, heating, water, garbage | ₹ 1,500 - ₹ 6,000 |
| Local prepaid mobile tariff (1 min) | ₹ 0.75 |
| Unlimited internet package | ₹ 450 - ₹ 1,000 |
5. Entertainment and Leisure
Kolkata is a city with numerous mouth-watering street foods. Furthermore, this city has several restaurants and cafes with a history of its own. For recreational purposes, residents of Kolkata visit museums, theatres, libraries or go to play football.
| Area of Expense | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 month gym membership | ₹ 1,500 |
| 1 hour rent for a tennis court | ₹ 800 |
| 1 seat at a cinema hall | ₹ 290 |
| Meal in an affordable restaurant (1 person) | ₹ 150 |
| Three-course meal in a mid-range restaurant | ₹ 1,200 |
| McMeal at McDonald's | ₹ 300 |
6. Childcare and Schooling
The cost for childcare and schooling is comparatively more reasonable in Kolkata than in other big cities such as Gurgaon and Noida. However, keep in mind that the tuition fees vary due to school curriculum, popularity and convenience for parents and children.
| Schools and Childcare | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Preschool, private, full-day for 1 child | ₹ 4,044 per month |
| International primary school for 1 child | ₹ 1,20,000 yearly |
Now, you have obtained all the information related to the cost of living in Kolkata. In general, Kolkata is comparatively cheaper than other metropolitans in India. However, these prices depend on a person's lifestyle and standard of living.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the best schools in Kolkata?
Some of the most popular and best schools in Kolkata include La Martiniere for Girls, St Xavier’s School, Modern High School for Girls, Loreto House, La Martiniere for Boys, Lakshmipat Singhania Academy, The Heritage School.
Is Kolkata very expensive to live in?
Kolkata is comparatively cheaper than most of the metropolitan cities in India.