Skyline of Bhubaneswar
Cost of Living: 88 1,200,000

Bhubaneswar, India

The capital of Odisha, known as the Temple City for its thousand-year-old temples, and a growing IT and education hub.

Updated August 30, 2026

Overview

Bhubaneswar is a city in Odisha with a population of 1,200,000. The capital of Odisha, known as the Temple City for its thousand-year-old temples, and a growing IT and education hub. Housing costs are close to the national average. The overall cost of living is below the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 7a growing zone supports Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees. The population skews young, with a median age of 28.0.

Last updated: August 30, 2026

Cost of Living 88

Below Average vs India Avg (100)

Housing Index 108

Above Average

Median Income ₹250,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.2%

Job market health

Bhubaneswar vs India Average

Cost of Living
Bhubaneswar: 88
India Avg: 100
Housing Index
Bhubaneswar: 108
India Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 18.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: ₹250,000
  • Unemployment: 5.2%
  • Population: 1,200,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 240/year
  • Summer High: 95°F
  • Winter Low: 55°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7a

Housing

  • Median Home: ₹3,500,000
  • 1BR Rent: ₹9000/mo

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Cost of Living

Bhubaneswar's cost of living index is 88 (India average = 100).

CategoryBhubaneswarNational AverageDifference
Overall88100-12.0%
Housing108100+8.0%

Data source: MOSPI / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price₹3,500,000
Median Rent (1BR)₹9000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)₹11,250/mo
Price per Sq Ft₹2,333

Data source: Housing.com / MagicBricks / 99acres, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

%
$90,000 down
%
%

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Bhubaneswar:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity₹500
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)₹1400Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water₹200Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)₹600Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities₹2700Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: CEA, Ministry of Power, BSNL 2025

Remote Work Score

Bhubaneswar scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
88
Rent
₹9000
Sunny Days
240
Tax
None
Unemployment
5.2%
Climate
95°F / 55°F
Safety
3.0 homicides/100k
Population
1,200,000
Internet Speed
60 Mbps

Climate

Bhubaneswar has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January75°F55°F2.5"
April80°F70°F2.8"
July95°F70°F1.5"
October75°F73°F2.2"
USDA Zone 7a

Mild — wide variety of vegetables, many fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Bhubaneswar faces the following natural hazards:

Cyclone High Risk

Affected by cyclones in the Bay of Bengal.

Flood High Risk

Monsoon floods.

Heat Wave High Risk

Summer heat.

Drought High Risk

Central and western India experience frequent droughts.

Landslide High Risk

Himalayan region and Western Ghats with landslides.

Avalanche High Risk

Himalayan region with frequent avalanches.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Seismic activity.

Tsunami Moderate Risk

Eastern and southern coasts with tsunami risk.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Eastern India experiences tornadoes.

Blizzard Moderate Risk

Northern mountainous regions experience extreme cold.

Sandstorm Moderate Risk

Dust storms in northwestern regions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 18%
  • Property Tax: ~0.2% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 5.2%.

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Academic Year June to March/April
Term System Semester — Summer (Jun-Oct), Winter (Nov-Mar)
Summer Break April to June (6-8 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break Holi festival (1 week)

School year varies by state. Southern states follow a different calendar (June-April). Summer break coincides with the hottest months.

Demographics

The population of Bhubaneswar is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Dravidian
25.0%
Indo-Aryan
72.0%
Other
3.0%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.0%
High school graduate
20.0%
Less than high school
50.0%
Some college
10.0%

Religion

Buddhist
0.7%
Christian
2.3%
Hindu
79.8%
Jain
0.4%
Muslim
14.2%
Other
0.9%
Sikh
1.7%

City-level demographic data is not available for this location. The figures shown are national averages, which may differ from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner (2011)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Bhubaneswar, India?

The cost of living index in Bhubaneswar is 88, which is Lower the India national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Bhubaneswar?

The median home price in Bhubaneswar is ₹3,500,000. The housing index is 108.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Bhubaneswar is approximately ₹9000/mo.

Does Bhubaneswar, OR have income tax?

Bhubaneswar is in OR, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Bhubaneswar?

Bhubaneswar enjoys approximately 240 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 95°F, while winter lows can drop to around 55°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: MOSPI / Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: Housing.com / MagicBricks / 99acres, 2026
  • Income & Employment: MOSPI Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities CEA, Ministry of Power, BSNL 2025

Data last updated: September 13, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.