Cost Of Living For a Student in Sylhet 2024
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: BDT
Average monthly spending for students in Sylhet
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Sylhet?
Students in Sylhet spend around 13,000 BDT per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 2,000 BDT or as high as 89,000 BDT. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Sylhet
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
Fine dining meal for one
| 170 BDT | 260 BDT | 1,000 BDT |
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
Average car 1-day rental
Average car price
| 64,000 BDT | 130,000 BDT | 170,000 BDT |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
Internet and cable
Mobile phone charges
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
Woman dress
Woman shoes
Men's shoes
Men suit
Regular t-shirt
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 2,100 BDT | 3,200 BDT | 8,600 BDT |
1-bedroom apartment
| 3,200 BDT | 5,100 BDT | 13,000 BDT |
2-bedroom apartment
| 4,300 BDT | 6,400 BDT | 17,000 BDT |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 430,000 BDT | 640,000 BDT | 1.3M BDT |
1-bedroom apartment
| 510,000 BDT | 860,000 BDT | 3.2M BDT |
2-bedroom apartment
| 860,000 BDT | 2.6M BDT | 5.1M BDT |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 2,600 BDT | 3,200 BDT | 4,300 BDT |
Double Bed
| 1,700 BDT | 2,600 BDT | 3,200 BDT |
Single Bed
| 1,500 BDT | 2,000 BDT | 2,600 BDT |
Living Room
| 2,900 BDT | 3,700 BDT | 13,000 BDT |
Dining Table
| 1,300 BDT | 1,700 BDT | 3,200 BDT |
Sofa or Couch
| 1,700 BDT | 2,300 BDT | 5,100 BDT |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 1,700 BDT | 2,600 BDT | 5,100 BDT |
Fridge or Freezer
| 1,500 BDT | 2,300 BDT | 3,200 BDT |
Washing Machine
| 2,000 BDT | 2,900 BDT | 5,100 BDT |
Stove or Cooker
| 1,800 BDT | 2,300 BDT | 3,200 BDT |
Mobile Phone
| 2,100 BDT | 2,600 BDT | 3,700 BDT |
Laptop or Computer
| 2,300 BDT | 2,900 BDT | 5,100 BDT |
How do students spend their money in Sylhet?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost16%
16% of total expenses on average (11% to 22%)
| LOW | $4.4 480 BDT |
| AVERAGE | $29 3,200 BDT |
| HIGH | $190 21,000 BDT |
| Per Month |
Students in Sylhet typically spend from 11% to 22% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 16% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 3,200 BDT with expenditure ranging from 480 BDT to 21,000 BDT. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities7%
7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $0.73 80 BDT |
| AVERAGE | $4.9 530 BDT |
| HIGH | $32 3,600 BDT |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Sylhet ranges from 5% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 530 BDT with 80 BDT and 3,600 BDT being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel3%
3% of total expenses on average (4% to 9%)
| LOW | $1.3 140 BDT |
| AVERAGE | $8.5 940 BDT |
| HIGH | $57 6,200 BDT |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 140 BDT to 6,200 BDT in a month on commuting with 940 BDT being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 3% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 9%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost24%
24% of total expenses on average (18% to 28%)
| LOW | $3.6 400 BDT |
| AVERAGE | $24 2,700 BDT |
| HIGH | $160 18,000 BDT |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Sylhet is 2,700 BDT. The cost of groceries can range between 400 BDT to 18,000 BDT. Students spend on average about 24% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 18% and 28% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare10%
10% of total expenses on average (7% to 13%)
| LOW | $1.1 120 BDT |
| AVERAGE | $7.3 800 BDT |
| HIGH | $49 5,300 BDT |
| Per Month |
Students in Sylhet allocate 7% to 13% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 10%. The range of medical expenses range from 120 BDT to 5,300 BDT with 800 BDT being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping2%
2% of total expenses on average (1% to 6%)
| LOW | $0.91 100 BDT |
| AVERAGE | $6.1 670 BDT |
| HIGH | $41 4,500 BDT |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 100 BDT to 4,500 BDT with 670 BDT being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 1% to 6% of total expenses with an average of 2% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling18%
18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $3.5 380 BDT |
| AVERAGE | $23 2,500 BDT |
| HIGH | $150 17,000 BDT |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 18% of the monthly expenditure of students with 11% and 23% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 2,500 BDT per month with 380 BDT being the minimum spent amount and 17,000 BDT being the maximum.
Other Expenses20%
20% of total expenses on average (14% to 26%)
| LOW | $2.7 300 BDT |
| AVERAGE | $18 2,000 BDT |
| HIGH | $120 13,000 BDT |
| Per Month |
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Sylhet
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Sylhet?
Around 44% of surveyed students think that living in Sylhet is affordable with proper budgeting while 56% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Sylhet
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options53%
Few low-cost options47%
Based on the survey, 53% of the students living in Sylhet have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 47% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds For Students
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked students of Sylhet whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes43%
No57%
Based on the survey, 57% of the students living in Sylhet said that they don't have an emergency fund while 43% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Bangladesh
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy40%
We asked student guardians and parents in Sylhet whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 60% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 40% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether students of Bangladesh have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 54% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 46% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance54%
Easily manages finances46%
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Sylhet
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Sylhet
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 2,100 BDT | 3,200 BDT | 8,600 BDT |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 3,200 BDT | 5,100 BDT | 13,000 BDT |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 4,300 BDT | 6,400 BDT | 17,000 BDT |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 5,100 BDT | 8,600 BDT | 23,000 BDT |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 10,000 BDT | 26,000 BDT | 51,000 BDT |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 8,600 BDT | 13,000 BDT | 37,000 BDT |
House monthly rent cost
| 10,000 BDT | 26,000 BDT | 51,000 BDT |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 13,000 BDT | 32,000 BDT | 51,000 BDT |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Sylhet ranges between 2,100 BDT and 8,600 BDT, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 3,200 BDT to 13,000 BDT. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 4,300 BDT and 17,000 BDT per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 5,100 BDT to 23,000 BDT. The average rent of a townhouse in Sylhet is around 13,000 BDT while house rental costs can be as high as 26,000 BDT per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 13,000 BDT to 51,000 BDT per month.
Apartment and house prices in Sylhet
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 430,000 BDT | 640,000 BDT | 1.3M BDT |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 510,000 BDT | 860,000 BDT | 3.2M BDT |
2-bedroom apartment price
| 860,000 BDT | 2.6M BDT | 5.1M BDT |
3-bedroom apartment price
| 2.9M BDT | 4.3M BDT | 13M BDT |
Townhouse price
| 3.7M BDT | 8.6M BDT | 32M BDT |
House price
| $39,000 | $230,000 | $330,000 |
Villa price
| $47,000 | $260,000 | $390,000 |
The average price of a studio apartment in Sylhet can range from 430,000 BDT to 1.3M BDT depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 510,000 BDT to 3.2M BDT. A villa can cost you 29M BDT on average with prices ranging from 5.1M BDT to 43M BDT.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Sylhet will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 29 | x79 monthly income | 185 |
Property prices in Sylhet can be x79 to x185 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x79 multiples of the average monthly salary in Sylhet.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Sylhet is around 28%. This means that people pay 28% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 18% to 37% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
25% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Sylhet
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Sylhet
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
Internet and cable cost
Mobile phone bill and charges
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 530 BDT. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 130 BDT to 340 BDT with 260 BDT being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 170 BDT but can range between 100 BDT and 510 BDT depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Sylhet is around 6.9%. This means that people pay 6.9% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3.9% to 11% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Sylhet
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Sylhet
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Sylhet is approximatly 51 BDT with meal cost ranging from 26 BDT to 86 BDT. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 86 BDT and 260 BDT with 130 BDT being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Sylhet.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 170 BDT | 260 BDT | 1,000 BDT |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 170 BDT to 1,000 BDT with the average cost being 260 BDT for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Sylhet.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Sylhet is around 34 BDT. Price ranges between 21 BDT and 51 BDT depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Sylhet is 21 BDT. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 26 BDT and the minimum being 17 BDT depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 17 BDT on average with 13 BDT and 26 BDT being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Sylhet is between 29 BDT and 54 BDT depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 38 BDT.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 51 BDT. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Sylhet costs around 19 BDT on average with prices rangeing between 14 BDT and 27 BDT depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 5.1 BDT to 13 BDT. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 12 BDT on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Sylhet is around 27%. This means that students spend 27% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 19% to 33% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 400 BDT to 18,000 BDT with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.
