Cost of Living in Dhaka

Rashif Ray Rahman schiv@archlinux.org via gmail.com
Tue, Mar 12, 3:04 AM (2 days ago)
to me

Chaldal https://chaldal.com/ reflects the local prices well as it's one of the first online grocers in Dhaka, Bangladesh and competes with both supermarkets for the affluent and wet markets for the less affluent (where affluent families also send servants to shop).

I have submitted either the cheapest or the price of the most common type of an item, for example liquid milk that comes in a packet is common and also affordable by both the lower and middle class.

The price of boneless chicken breast is hugely off the mark on Numbeo because for some years (I have been here for 7) already it has been close to 400tk no matter superstore or wet market or a village in the outskirts.

However, for lettuce, there is no head of lettuce being sold here (iceberg lettuce is imported and not usually available). Instead, small bundles of 100g leafy lettuce is sold. I Googled the average weight of a head of lettuce and came up with the price.

Also, prices vary by a huge margin among seasons. Broccoli is 40tk now just after winter, but come proper spring and summer, this goes up to 400tk and sometimes 800tk when there's only imported available. And let's not talk about rice, sugar and other necessities during festive seasons, such as the month of Ramadan, where prices skyrocket for essentials too.

But, Numbeo didn't think Broccoli to be an important vegetable to have in it's listing, or that the average of seasonal variations may thwart the automated checks because they truly are inflating numbers ;)

To all those who wrote acrimonious statements, Dhaka is not an easy place to live; nor is it advertised as a resort town. One has to have a reason to be here. It is most definitely not cheap when it comes to the housing market (although prices dropped -- not collapsed -- after the Holey Artisan carnage). Most importantly, however, I do not believe prices are accurate as shown above (BDT 11,000 for a one bedroom in city center is a fantasy; that said, it depends on what this site considers as 'city center'). For those who asked, the Internet is very good. Very reliable. Even for a small monthly fee you get reliability. If you want Western speeds, they are available but you have to pay considerably more. Traffic is of course awful, so longer trips are best saved for the weekend. Gas is readily available, although the nearest gas station might be far away from where you live. Diesel is not readily available and takes time and effort to get. Naturally, there is massive overpopulation and pollution (very similar to India and Pakistan). "BDT 1,000" shows up under "monthly pass." There is no such thing as a monthly pass in Dhaka -- whatever is your mode of transport of choice, you pay by the trip. Car prices are about right as above -- import taxes are brutal. Government bureaucracy is byzantine and dealing with it might take all the strength one has. That said, unlike in many other developing countries, there is a sane organizing principle to Bangladesh, i.e. if there are restrictions, it is almost always possible to deduce their origin (unlike in many other countries where they are products of nothing more than utter incompetence); that somewhat helps the frustration. Currency rules are stringent and complex. Educating yourself about them is the way to go.

Um really fucked up not seeing the aforementioned statistics but for the comments and reactions regarding BD !!

I am surprised about the prices given for renting an apartment. For me as a foreigner, in Gulshan 1 + 2 and Banani the range os rather 55.000 - 90.000 BDT and up per month, not including additional fees and utilities.

Now, considering the pollution, traffic, security and cost of living Dhaka is the worst city to live. You believe it or not.

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