Moving to Kolkata? Want to know the cost of living in Kolkata? Go through this blog to have helpful insights into the costs of living in Kolkata. Also, get estimates from packers and movers to hire reliable services for moving to the City of Joy. Get estimates today!
Don’t Wait, Get Free Quotes!
They say that this city’s charm slowly grows on every single outsider. And, that’s true! Kolkata, proudly called the city of joy, offers every dweller a myriad of valid reasons to love it. The affordable cost of living in Kolkata makes it one of the most sought-after cities for anyone. Even being a culturally rich city, Kolkata perfectly keeps pace with the novel social norms due to the ever-changing lifestyle of its dwellers. The living cost in Kolkata is not much compared to other big cities in the country. You can easily reside here without stretching too much of your monthly budget.
What is the cost of living in Kolkata? Well, this question hovers in every person’s mind before moving here. They search for the averageliving cost in Kolkata on the internet only to find incomplete information about it. However, you will get valuable insight into the monthly living expenses in Kolkata after referring to this blog. But, first, it is important to know why people decide to move to Kolkata.
Do you know why Kolkata is on the list of the most liveable cities in India? Well, I can give you several valid reasons why you should shift to Kolkata.
Affordability
Unlike other metro cities, Kolkata provides affordable living to you. While living in other cities is becoming expensive day by day, this city still lets you stay here affordably. Whether you are here for a short stay or want to settle in this city, you won’t have any problem living here.
Easy Transportation
A good transportation system is the backbone of a metropolitan city. With the best transport options, Kolkata helps people to commute easily from one location to another. Metro rail is the first metro rail system in India. This rail connects northern Kolkata to Southern Kolkata. However, buses are the most preferred transport system by the people of Kolkata. Autos are another important mode of transport to commute from one place to another. Apart from that, you can also take the ferry to reach your destination. The fare for each transport is within your budget. So, you can take any of them to commute within the city.
Good Weather
Kolkata enjoys pleasant weather throughout the year excluding April and May when it is too humid here. Unlike the northern parts of India, the city does not experience the biting cold. So, you can easily go out and enjoy the pleasant weather in the city. You don’t need to wear woolen clothes in Kolkata as the temperature in the winter season is tolerable here.
Celebration of Festivals
The people of Kolkata are always busy celebrating one festival or the other throughout the year. Durga Puja is the main festival of the people which is celebrated wonderfully here. People show great enthusiasm while celebrating it. This five-day festival represents Kolkata as every nook and corner of the city is well-lit and people get immersed in the festive mood during this time.
Career Opportunities
There is no dearth of good jobs in Kolkata as many MNCs are opened up in different areas of the city. So, this is also a good place for the ones who are heading to this city to get better career opportunities.
Factors that Impact the Cost of Living in Kolkata
Before moving to Kolkata, it is important to estimate the cost of living in Kolkata. You can keep in mind several factors to know about the living expenses of the city. This will help you in deciding whether you want to move to Kolkata or not.
Accommodation
The rental prices of the apartments in Kolkata are low compared to the rental prices in other metro cities of India. You can find a comprehensive range of apartments in the city at the most competitive prices. So, you can easily choose the one as per your budget. The rental prices of an apartment depend on its size and location. The minimum rental cost of a 1 BHK flat in Kolkata starts from Rs. 7,500. Apart from the flats, you can also find affordable PG accommodation facilities in Kolkata. The students can easily manage the cost of living in Kolkata after choosing to live in PGs rather than choosing a flat for themselves. Here are the details of the rental costs of the living spaces in Kolkata:-
| Category | Cost |
| 1 BHK | Rs. 7,500-19,000 |
| 2 BHK | Rs. 11, 900-29500 |
| 3 BHK | Rs. 13,000-59,000 |
| PG | Rs. 3,900-9,500 |
Utilities
While living in Kolkata, you will also need to pay for your utilities. These are the necessities of a home and you have no other option but to pay for them. Apart from the basic utilities such as electricity, water, gas, etc, you can also avail of broadband internet services from any broadband service provider of your choice. You are required to pay the following amount to your utility providers:-
| Utilities | Costs |
| Monthly tariff of prepaid mobile | Rs. 220-500 |
| Unlimited Internet | Rs. 500-1100 |
| Basic Utilities (gas, electricity, water, garbage, heating, cooling) | Rs. 1600-6100 |
Transportation
Like other big metro cities, Kolkata too has a great network of buses that ply from time to time. You can’t just find the public buses here, but also metro trains that are available to you at regular intervals. Apart from that, you can also take electric trains to move within the city. This transport mode is one of the most affordable ways to move within the city. You can take a one-way ticket for your journey or get a monthly pass at low rates.
| Category | Price |
| Ticket for local transport (one way) | Rs. 10-20 |
| Rate of Monthly Pass | Rs. 180-590 |
| Taxi Fare (for 1 Km) | Rs. 50 |
| Taxi (1-hour waiting) | Rs. 80 |
| Petrol Price | Rs. 106 (Approx) |
| Diesel Price | Rs. 92 (Approx) |
Cost of Living in Kolkata- Childcare and Schooling Costs
Kolkata city offers great childcare and schooling facilities for your children. So, if you are planning to move to Kolkata with your kids, then do not think much and come to Kolkata straightaway. The education costs of your children are lower in Kolkata compared to other cities. If you have little kids, you need to pay anywhere between Rs. 1900 to Rs. 7,000 for their Kindergarten education. However, the fees for an international primary school cost around Rs.50, 000-Rs. 1.9 Lakh yearly. However, the fees will depend on the curriculum of your child’s school as well as its popularity.
| Schools | Costs |
| Full-Day Kindergarten School (Monthly) | Rs. 1900-7500 |
| International Primary School (Yearly) | Rs. 52,000-2,05,000 |
| Primary Schools | Rs. 6800-9600 |
Cost of Food
Kolkata city is the best place to enjoy delectable dishes. The city offers the best dining options to you as you may find several restaurants here. They offer you a variety of dishes right from Mughlai to Oriental and popular Bengali cuisines that satisfy your taste buds perfectly. You can also try popular sweet dishes here such as Roshogolla, Mishti Doi, etc. Moreover, you can also try non-veg dishes here such as biryani, fish curry, meat curry, etc. If you are fond of eating fast food, you can get to any fast food joint here and enjoy the dish of your choice. Here are the approximate charges for food in Kolkata:-
| Category | Price |
| A meal in a low-end restaurant | Rs. 110-390 |
| A meal in a mid-range restaurant ( For 2 people) | Rs. 610-1900 |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's | Rs. 230-390 |
| Cappuccino | Rs. 60-260 |
| Water | Rs. 10-20 |
| Cold Drink | Rs. 20-50 |
| Domestic Beer | Rs. 120-410 |
| Imported Beer | Rs. 220-420 |
Cost of Clothing
You can find a plethora of shopping malls in Kolkata city where you can purchase anything you need. Apart from that, there is also a variety of retail shops that offer just anything to any dweller. If you need branded clothes here, you can head to a shopping mall or any retail shop to find your desired clothing. You can find all clothing brands that offer you stylish yet modern clothing at the best prices. The following table shows the average prices of clothing in Kolkata.
| Category | Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans | Rs 1,300-Rs. 3,800 |
| A branded summer dress | Rs. 1,100- Rs. 4,600 |
| 1 Pair of Leather Shoes (Men) | Rs. 1,200-Rs. 3,900 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Shoes | Rs. 2,100-Rs. 5,800 |
Cost of Living in Kolkata- Cost of Sports and Entertainment
Kolkata offers a myriad of entertainment options to its residents which helps them stay away from their monotonous routine. You can book a ticket for a theater performance or explore the best art galleries. If you are a movie freak, you can book a movie ticket and enjoy the best time with your friends and family. A movie ticket would cost you between Rs. 150-400 depending on the cinema hall you choose. However, if you want to join a club or fitness center then you will have to shell out Rs. 1,900-6,200 from your pocket. Moreover, people can also visit museums with their families if they want to. Kolkata people are also crazy about football and cricket. They often go to a stadium to watch live cricket and football matches. The following table provides information about your entertainment and sports costs in Kolkata:-
| Category | Approx. Costs |
| Tennis Court (1-hour rent) | Rs. 650 |
| Gym Membership (1 month) | Rs. 1,400 |
| One Cinema Hall Ticket | Rs. 270 |
Groceries
While estimating the cost of living in Kolkata, it is important to take the average prices of the grocery items into account. Remember, you will need these items regularly, so it is better to know about their average costs beforehand. One of the most popular shopping hubs of Kolkata is called the Old Market. You can buy anything from flowers to grocery items here such as bakery, local cheese, milk products, etc. Here is the breakdown of the prices of groceries in Kolkata:-
| Grocery | Prices |
| White Bread (1 Loaf) | Rs. 30 |
| Rice (1 KG) | Rs. 50 |
| Milk ( 1 Litre) | Rs. 56 |
| Eggs (1 Dozen) | Rs. 75 |
| Oranges (1 KG) | Rs. 75 |
| Potatoes (1 KG) | Rs. 20 |
| Tomatoes (1 KG) | Rs. 42 |
| Apples (1 KG) | Rs. 200 |
| Local Cheese (1 KG) | Rs. 500 |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | Rs. 35 |
| Onion (1 KG) | Rs. 30 |
| Chicken Fillets (1 KG) | Rs. 250 |
| Bananas (1 Dozen) | Rs. 55 |
Cost of Living in Kolkata for a Couple
Many couples are working in Kolkata. They can take 1 BHK or 3 BHK flat on rent in the city according to their requirements. The monthly rent for these flats will start from Rs. 10,000. Apart from this, the lifestyle and transportation costs are also included in it. So, the average cost of living in Kolkata for couples would be approx. Rs. 24, 500.
Cost of living in Kolkata for a Bachelor
Bachelors living in Kolkata are always in search of affordable apartments to live in. They can take 1 BHK, 2 BHK, and 3 BHK flats on rent as per their requirements. The rental price for 1 BHK apartment would be around Rs. 7,900, while the rent for the 2 BHK apartments will be approx Rs. 11,500 per month. However, the rent of an apartment is based on the size as well as the location of your apartment.
Apart from this, if you choose to live in an apartment, you will also have to give maintenance to the owner of the flat. Usually, the maintenance of your apartment would be somewhere around Rs. 5,000. This covers the costs of housekeeping, internet, and other necessities.
Cost of Living in Kolkata for a Family
If you are planning to move to Kolkata with your family, the cost of living in Kolkata would be somewhat high as compared to the living expenses of the bachelors. If you have kids, then the childcare and food costs would be somewhat high for you. You can take a 1BHK or 3 BHK flat on rent as per your accommodation. The living costs of a family living in Kolkata would go up to Rs. 36,000. However, if you have a good budget, you can also purchase the flat.
Cost of Living in Kolkata for Students
Kolkata is home to numerous prestigious colleges and institutions that impart the best quality education to you. Students who come to study here can opt for Government as well as private colleges for pursuing their desired course. While Government colleges offer their programs to the students at a minimal fee (Rs. 5,000 per year), private college offers their programs at a hefty fee structure. The fee structure of their programs ranges from Rs. 1, 10,000 to Rs. 5, 00,000 per year.
Over to You
Most people prefer settling in Kolkata as it is quite affordable to live here. So, if you are planning to move to Kolkata, you may consider the abovementioned living costs in Kolkata before moving here. However, the cost of living in Kolkata is different for each individual. So, make sure to take benefit of the abovementioned detailed information about the costs of transport, rent, food, etc you would have to pay before heading to this city.
Gaurav Verma is a skilled content writer at Moving Solutions specialising in crafting engaging blogs and website content for diverse businesses. With a keen versatile writing style and extensive knowledge, he delivers compelling narratives that captivate audiences and drive results.
A copywriter, blogger, content strategist by profession, and an information junkie by heart. I have a penchant for reading, researching, writing, and anything related to creating persuasive content. For me, writing is something that ignites my creativity and helps in keeping me on cloud nine. I have been working in the content writing domain since 2006. Be it blogging or copywriting, I create better content that fuels conversations and skyrockets search traffic.
