Skyline of Dhaka
Cost of Living: 100 22,478,000

Dhaka, Bangladesh

The megacity capital of Bangladesh, one of the most densely populated cities on Earth, and the heart of the country's garment industry.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 100

Below Average vs Bangladesh Avg (100)

Housing Index 115

Above Average

Median Income ৳ 360,000

Household income

Unemployment 5.2%

Job market health

Dhaka vs Bangladesh Average

Cost of Living
Dhaka: 100
Bangladesh Avg: 100
Housing Index
Dhaka: 115
Bangladesh Avg: 100

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: None
  • Sales Tax: 5.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: ৳ 360,000
  • Unemployment: 5.2%
  • Population: 22,478,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 250/year
  • Summer High: 95°F
  • Winter Low: 55°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 7a

Housing

  • Median Home: ৳5,000,000
  • 1BR Rent: ৳15000/mo

Cost of Living

Dhaka's cost of living index is 100 (Bangladesh average = 100).

CategoryDhakaNational AverageDifference
Overall1001000.0%
Housing115100+15.0%

Data source: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home Price৳5,000,000
Median Rent (1BR)৳15000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)৳18,750/mo
Price per Sq Ft৳3,333

Data source: Zillow Research, 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 Dhaka:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
Electricity৳800
Heating & CoolingN/AEstimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)৳40Estimated based on local climate and electricity rates
Water৳300Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)৳600Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total Utilities৳1740Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Remote Work Score

Dhaka scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
100
Rent
৳15000
Sunny Days
250
Tax
None
Unemployment
5.2%
Climate
95°F / 55°F
Safety
2.3 homicides/100k
Population
22,478,000
Internet Speed
40 Mbps

Climate

Dhaka 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

Dhaka faces the following natural hazards:

Flood Extreme Risk

One of the most flood-prone cities in the world.

Cyclone Extreme Risk

Frequently affected by cyclones.

Heat Wave Extreme Risk

Extreme summer heat with high humidity.

Tornado High Risk

Bangladesh experiences some of the deadliest tornadoes.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Seismic activity in the region.

Tsunami Moderate Risk

Coastal areas with tsunami risk.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 0% (None)
  • Sales Tax: 5%
  • Property Tax: ~0.1% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

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

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Dhaka per 100,000 residents:

80.0
Violent Crime
150.0
Property Crime
2.3
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: UN Office on Drugs and Crime

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Academic Year January to December
Term System Semester — 1st (Jan-Jun), 2nd (Jul-Dec)
Summer Break June to July (4 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (3 weeks)
Spring Break Pohela Boishakh in April (1 week)

Many schools operate double shifts. Breaks for Eid and Pohela Boishakh.

Universities & Higher Education

3
Universities
#1423
Top University Rank
Top-Ranked University National

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

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 Dhaka, Bangladesh?

The cost of living index in Dhaka is 100, which is Lower the Bangladesh national average of 100.

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

The median home price in Dhaka is ৳5,000,000. The housing index is 115.

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

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Dhaka is approximately ৳15000/mo.

Does Dhaka, DH have income tax?

Dhaka is in DH, which has no income tax.

What is the climate like in Dhaka?

Dhaka enjoys approximately 250 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 95°F, while winter lows can drop to around 55°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER), 2026
  • Housing Data: Zillow Research, 2026
  • Income & Employment: US Census Bureau American Community Survey, 2024
  • Utilities U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2024, EPA/AWWA water rate surveys, BroadbandNow

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.