Rewire Abroad Logo

Dhaka, Bangladesh
Capital City

Follows Bangladesh Residency Rules. Check Digital Nomad & Retiree Pathways →
Est. Monthly Cost (1 Person)
$800
Retiree Score
100.0
Safety Index
42.0
Healthcare
710 facilities

Living in Dhaka means accepting chaos as your daily operating system. The city's density hits you immediately – sidewalks overflow with vendors, rickshaws weave through gridlocked traffic, and apartment buildings stack vertically to accommodate the crush. That $72 monthly rent gets you a barebones concrete box, likely with sporadic water supply and no elevator in a 10-story walkup.

Expats here either thrive on the raw energy or burn out fast. Gulshan and Banani offer relative calm with international schools and guarded compounds, but venturing beyond means navigating streets where pedestrian right-of-way doesn't exist. The rivers provide geographic relief points, but water quality keeps most from swimming. This is a city for grinders who want ultra-low costs and can tolerate friction – not retirees seeking tranquility.

Can I afford Dhaka?

$

Dhaka

You could save

2,200/mo

Savings Rate73%

Monthly Costs

Rent $350
Living (Country Average Adjusted)$450

Attractiveness Scores

FIRE Score
(i)
73/100
Retiree Score
(i)
100/100
Lifestyle Score
(i)
50/100
đŸ’»Nomad Score
(i)
50/100
Meets Bangladesh Digital Nomad Visa Income Rule.
42
Safety
710
Healthcare
100
Walkability
100
Nomad

Grocery Basket

Milk (1L) $1
Bread (loaf) *$1
Eggs (12) $1
Rice (1kg) *$1
Chicken (1kg) *$3

* Estimated based on regional averages.

Eating Out

Meal (Inexpensive) *$2
Meal (Mid-range) $44
Cappuccino $2
Water (0.33L) *$0

* Estimated based on regional averages.

Utilities & Lifestyle

Utilities (mo) $49
Mobile Plan (mo) $5
Gym (mo) *$20
Cinema Ticket $4

* Estimated based on regional averages.

Housing

1BR Center (mo) $350
1BR Outside (mo) *$49
3BR Center (mo) $750
3BR Outside (mo) *$135

* Estimated based on regional averages.

🧳 Expat Life

English Proficiency
Limited
Expat Community
Large & Active
Top Neighborhoods
Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara
Best For
NGO workers

Expat Life Notes

Dhaka is extremely dense and traffic-clogged, but offers high career rewards for those in NGOs or the textile industry.

Pros

  • ✓ Vibrant culture
  • ✓ Very low cost of living
  • ✓ Kind people

Cons

  • ✗ Extreme traffic congestion
  • ✗ Pollution
  • ✗ Political instability

🌐 Infrastructure & Lifestyle

Avg Internet
—
Temperature
13°C°C - 34°C°C
Annual Rainfall
1762 mm
Coworking Spaces
—
Best Months to Visit
May, Jun, Jul, Aug

Also Consider

Lalmonirhat, BangladeshLiving in Lalmonirhat, Bangladesh offers a low-cost, authentic experience in a small agricultural town. Best for budget-conscious expats seeking simplicity.Rangpur, BangladeshLiving in Rangpur, Bangladesh offers dirt-cheap costs and a vibrant local culture, but requires adaptability. Ideal for budget-conscious expats.Isiro, Democratic Republic of the CongoLiving in Isiro, Democratic Republic of the Congo, offers a remote, resource-driven lifestyle with limited infrastructure. Best for those comfortable with basicSão Carlos, BrazilLiving in São Carlos, Brazil offers affordability and academic energy. With major industries and universities, it’s ideal for FIRE seekers near São Paulo.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Dhaka

Click any question to expand the answer.

Dhaka has a population of approximately 16,800,000 people.

A single person can expect to spend around $875 per month in Dhaka, including rent. A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $350/month.

The nearest airport to Dhaka is DAC, approximately 9km away.

Dhaka is considered moderate in terms of safety, with a safety index of 42.0. As with any city abroad, expats should research specific neighborhoods before committing to a location.

Only hardened FIRE pursuers or NGO workers. The cost savings are real, but you sacrifice nearly every quality-of-life metric to get them.

Share This Guide