Cost Of Living in West Bengal 2024

Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in West Bengal

Whether you're living in West Bengal or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.

Average Monthly Expenditure

76,000 INR

per month
$910

5,800 INR   $70
$9,100   760,000 INR

Single

52,000 INR

per month
$630

17,000 INR   $210
$4,200   350,000 INR

Couple

87,000 INR

per month
$1,100

29,000 INR   $350
$5,600   470,000 INR

Family

120,000 INR

per month
$1,400

41,000 INR   $490
$7,700   640,000 INR

Student

34,000 INR

per month
$410

14,000 INR   $160
$740   61,000 INR
The figures displayed here are inclusive of everything: housing, travel, groceries, healthcare, etc.

Singles

The average monthly expense for a single person living in West Bengal is 52,000 INR. Expenses can range from 17,000 INR at the minimum level to 350,000 INR at the highest end.


Couples

The average monthly spending of couples in West Bengal is 87,000 INR. Expenditure can range from 29,000 INR to 470,000 INR per month.


Families

The average cost of living for families in West Bengal is 120,000 INR per month. Families spend anywhere from 41,000 INR to 640,000 INR.


Students

The average monthly expenditure for students in West Bengal is 34,000 INR. Students spend from 14,000 INR to 61,000 INR per month.


Spending behavior can change drastically from one person to another. It is best to consider the minimum, average, and maximum spending together.

Prices and cost of goods and services in West Bengal


Dining, food, and beverages costs


Large bottle of water
7.8 INR 8.9 INR 10 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.09 $0.11 $0.12
Fast food combo meal
66 INR 130 INR 220 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.80 $1.6 $2.7
Restaurant meal for one
240 INR 350 INR 710 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.8 $4.3 $8.5
Fine dining meal for one
470 INR 710 INR 2,800 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.7 $8.5 $34
Soda or Soft Drink
9.5 INR 11 INR 13 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.11 $0.13 $0.16
Cappuccino or latte
55 INR 89 INR 130 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.67 $1.1 $1.6

Grocery and market costs


Milk large bottle
44 INR 53 INR 66 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.53 $0.64 $0.80
Loaf of bread
8 INR 9.1 INR 11 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.10 $0.11 $0.13
12 eggs
33 INR 44 INR 66 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.40 $0.53 $0.80
Fresh whole chicken
76 INR 98 INR 140 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.91 $1.2 $1.7
Beef 1 kg or 1 lb
89 INR 130 INR 270 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.1 $1.6 $3.2
Rice 1 kg or 1 lb
36 INR 49 INR 69 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.43 $0.59 $0.84
Tomato 1 kg or 1 lb
13 INR 18 INR 33 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.16 $0.21 $0.40
Apples 1 kg or 1 lb
24 INR 31 INR 51 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.29 $0.37 $0.62

Commute, travel, and transportation costs


20 minutes taxi ride
59 INR 71 INR 140 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.71 $0.85 $1.7
Average car full tank
330 INR 440 INR 890 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4 $5.3 $11
Average car 1-day rental
380 INR 500 INR 750 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.5 $6.1 $9.1
Average car price
170,000 INR 330,000 INR 440,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2,000 $4,000 $5,300
Bus ticket one way
13 INR 19 INR 38 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.15 $0.23 $0.45
Car Service
500 INR 750 INR 1,500 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$6.1 $9.1 $18

Utility cost (monthly)


Utility Bill - Individual
1,000 INR 3,100 INR 21,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$13 $38 $250
Utility Bill - Couple
1,500 INR 4,400 INR 23,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$18 $53 $280
Utility Bill - Family
1,200 INR 3,500 INR 19,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$15 $42 $230
Internet and cable
330 INR 660 INR 890 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4 $8 $11
Mobile phone charges
270 INR 440 INR 1,300 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.2 $5.3 $16

Leisure and activities costs


Movie ticket
170 INR 220 INR 330 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2 $2.7 $4
One month gym membership
600 INR 750 INR 1,500 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$7.3 $9.1 $18

Cloths and accessories costs


Pair of jeans or pants
440 INR 630 INR 940 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.3 $7.6 $11
Woman dress
420 INR 580 INR 1,900 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5 $7 $23
Woman shoes
400 INR 540 INR 1,300 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.8 $6.5 $15
Men's shoes
340 INR 420 INR 840 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.1 $5 $10
Men suit
380 INR 470 INR 2,500 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.5 $5.7 $30
Regular t-shirt
190 INR 250 INR 750 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.3 $3 $9.1

Housing costs / monthly rent


Studio apartment
6,300 INR 9,400 INR 25,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$76 $110 $300
1-bedroom apartment
9,400 INR 15,000 INR 38,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$110 $180 $450
2-bedroom apartment
13,000 INR 19,000 INR 50,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$150 $230 $610

Housing costs / Buying


Studio apartment
1.3M INR 1.9M INR 3.8M INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$15,000 $23,000 $45,000
1-bedroom apartment
1.5M INR 2.5M INR 9.4M INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$18,000 $30,000 $110,000
2-bedroom apartment
2.5M INR 7.5M INR 15M INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$30,000 $91,000 $180,000

Furniture Costs


King Size Bed
6,600 INR 8,300 INR 11,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$80 $100 $130
Double Bed
4,400 INR 6,600 INR 8,300 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$53 $80 $100
Single Bed
3,900 INR 5,100 INR 6,600 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$47 $62 $80
Living Room
7,400 INR 9,500 INR 33,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$89 $110 $400
Dining Table
3,300 INR 4,400 INR 8,300 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$40 $53 $100
Sofa or Couch
4,400 INR 6,000 INR 13,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$53 $73 $160

Electronics and House Appliance Costs


TV Set
4,400 INR 6,600 INR 13,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$53 $80 $160
Fridge or Freezer
3,900 INR 6,000 INR 8,300 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$47 $73 $100
Washing Machine
5,100 INR 7,400 INR 13,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$62 $89 $160
Stove or Cooker
4,700 INR 6,000 INR 8,300 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$57 $73 $100
Mobile Phone
5,500 INR 6,600 INR 9,500 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$67 $80 $110
Laptop or Computer
6,000 INR 7,400 INR 13,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$73 $89 $160

Expenditure to Income Ratio in West Bengal

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in.


Spending to Income Ratio

96%

88% to 110%

( expenditure / income ) x 100


Expense to income distribution levels

Spending To Income Ratio% People
< 50%4%
50% - 60%8%
60% - 70%14%
70% - 80%24%
80% - 90%21%
90% - 100%11%
100% - 110%6%
110% - 120%4%
120% - 130%3%
130% - 140%2%
> 140%2%

Interpretation and Analysis

The average spending-to-salary ratio in West Bengal is 96% This means that on average, people spend around 96% of their income for living. According to the distribution table, 14% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.


How can spending be more than income?

A value higher than 100% means that the expenditure of those people is higher than their income. They are spending more than what they earn. This is possible in two scenarios. They are either borrowing from their savings to survive or they are borrowing from other sources (relatives, friends, banks, etc.). More about this in the debt section.



Individual
86%
Spending-Income-Ratio
79%
95%

Couple
91%
Spending-Income-Ratio
84%
100%

Family
100%
Spending-Income-Ratio
93%
110%

How do people spend their money in West Bengal?

We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.

The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.

Housing Expenditure23%

23% of total expenses on average (12% to 31%)

LOW$21   1,700 INR
AVERAGE$270   23,000 INR
HIGH$2,700   230,000 INR
Per Month

People living in West Bengal typically spend from 12% to 31% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 23% being the average. The average spend on housing is 23,000 INR with expenditure ranging from 1,700 INR to 230,000 INR. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.

Utilities, Electricity, Water8%

8% of total expenses on average (5% to 12%)

LOW$3.5   290 INR
AVERAGE$46   3,800 INR
HIGH$460   38,000 INR
Per Month

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in West Bengal ranges from 5% to 12% of total expenses with 8% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 3,800 INR with 290 INR and 38,000 INR being the upper and lower limits.

Transport, Fuel, Commute6%

6% of total expenses on average (3% to 10%)

LOW$7   580 INR
AVERAGE$91   7,600 INR
HIGH$910   76,000 INR
Per Month

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 580 INR to 76,000 INR on commuting with 7,600 INR being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 6% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 10%.

Food and Groceries Cost29%

29% of total expenses on average (21% to 35%)

LOW$18   1,500 INR
AVERAGE$230   19,000 INR
HIGH$2,300   190,000 INR
Per Month

The average outlay on groceries in a month in West Bengal is 19,000 INR. The cost of groceries can range between 1,500 INR to 190,000 INR. People spend on average about 29% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 21% and 35% respectively.

Healthcare and Medical Services11%

11% of total expenses on average (6% to 14%)

LOW$4.9   410 INR
AVERAGE$64   5,300 INR
HIGH$640   53,000 INR
Per Month

People in West Bengal allocate 6% to 14% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 11%. The range of medical expenses range from 410 INR to 53,000 INR with 5,300 INR being the norm.

Leisure and Shopping4%

4% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)

LOW$2.8   230 INR
AVERAGE$36   3,000 INR
HIGH$360   30,000 INR
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 230 INR to 30,000 INR with 3,000 INR being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 8% of total expenses with an average of 4% for most residents.

Education and Schooling5%

5% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)

LOW$4.2   350 INR
AVERAGE$55   4,500 INR
HIGH$550   45,000 INR
Per Month

Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 5% of the monthly expenditure with 3% and 11% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 4,500 INR per month with 350 INR being the minimum spent amount and 45,000 INR being the maximum.

Other Expenses14%

14% of total expenses on average (9% to 21%)

LOW$9.1   760 INR
AVERAGE$120   9,800 INR
HIGH$1,200   98,000 INR
Per Month

How much money can you save in West Bengal every month?

We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.


What percentage of people in West Bengal manage to save money from their income every month?


Saving Money
64%
Not Saving
36%

Almost 64% of the surveyed people in West Bengal said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 36% said that aren't saving anything.


Percentage of people saving money by population group in West Bengal

GroupSaversNon Savers
Singles64%36%
Couples58%42%
Families52%48%

Savings-to-Income Ratio

The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.


Saving to Income Ratio

11% 20% of income 34%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

1,700 INR
$21
22,000 INR
$270
220,000 INR
$2,700
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

For most people, 11% to 34% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 20% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 22,000 INR on average with savings ranging from 1,700 INR to 220,000 INR.

64% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 58% of couples said the same. 52% of families confirmed their ability to save money.


How much money do people actually save in West Bengal?

The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.


Singles

Saving to Income Ratio

15% 25% of income 36%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

5,100 INR
$62
15,000 INR
$190
100,000 INR
$1,200
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for singles

Saving To Income Ratio% Singles
0% - 10%33%
10% - 20%26%
20% - 30%16%
30% - 40%12%
40% - 50%9%
> 50%4%

Interpretation and Analysis

Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 15% to 36% of their monthly income to savings, with 25% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 15,000 INR with 5,100 INR and 100,000 INR being the minimum and maximum respectively.


Couples

Saving to Income Ratio

12% 22% of income 35%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

8,600 INR
$100
26,000 INR
$310
140,000 INR
$1,700
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for couples

Saving To Income Ratio% Couples
0% - 10%37%
10% - 20%28%
20% - 30%19%
30% - 40%7%
40% - 50%6%
> 50%3%

Interpretation and Analysis

Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 12% to 35% of their monthly income, with 22% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 26,000 INR with 8,600 INR and 140,000 INR being the minimum and maximum respectively.


Families

Saving to Income Ratio

11% 19% of income 31%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

12,000 INR
$140
34,000 INR
$410
190,000 INR
$2,300
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Saving To Income Ratio% Families
0% - 10%40%
10% - 20%31%
20% - 30%20%
30% - 40%4%
40% - 50%3%
> 50%2%

Interpretation and Analysis

Families in West Bengal can save anywhere between 11% to 31% of their monthly income, with 19% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 34,000 INR with 12,000 INR and 190,000 INR being the minimum and maximum respectively.

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 West Bengal

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in West Bengal?


Yes
55%
No
45%

Around 55% of surveyed residents think that living in West Bengal is affordable with proper budgeting while 45% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Low-cost alternatives in West Bengal

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 residents how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options62%

Few low-cost options38%


Based on the survey, 62% of the people living in West Bengal have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 38% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Emergency Funds

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 residents of West Bengal whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes55%

No45%


Based on the survey, 45% of the people living in West Bengal said that they don't have an emergency fund while 55% said that they do.

Financial Literacy in India

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 Leteracy44%


We asked residents of India whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 56% 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 44% 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 residents of India have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so asked the people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 46% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 54% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance46%

Easily manages finances54%

Financial goals of people in West Bengal

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in West Bengal, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.


Financial Goal% People
Emergency Fund9%
Debt Reduction45%
Retirement Savings11%
Education Funding6%
Homeownership19%
Investing6%
Travel or Lifestyle5%
Healthcare Expenses15%
Financial Independence4%

Around 9% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 45% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 11% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 6% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 19% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 6% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 5% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 15% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Saving Challenges in West Bengal

Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in West Bengal. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.


Reason% People
Low Income4%
High Expenses7%
Debt and Loans12%
Lack of Budgeting Skills12%
Impulsive Spending12%
Financial Emergencies7%
Living the moment5%
Will do it later22%
Inflation14%
Social Pressure3%
Market Instability2%

Around 4% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 7% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 12% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 12% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 12% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 7% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 5% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 22% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 14% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or societal expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 2% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Typical saving choices for people in West Bengal

Where do people choose to put their savings?


Saving Type% People
Emergency Funds13%
Gold14%
Savings Accounts17%
Retirement Accounts9%
Cash Savings22%
Real Estate9%
Investment5%
Stocks4%
Bonds4%
Mutual Funds2%
Certificates of Deposit3%

Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in West Bengal

What does the retirement lifestyle look like in West Bengal and how much retirement savings are required?

Retirement age

The retirement age for most employees in India is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.

Retirement planning and savings

There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.


The typical saved amount of money you should have at every age as multiples of monthly salary:
AgeAmount
255x monthly salary at age 25
3010x monthly salary at age 30
3515x monthly salary at age 35
4025x monthly salary at age 40
4532x monthly salary at age 45
5048x monthly salary at age 50
5556x monthly salary at age 55
6064x monthly salary at age 60
6578x monthly salary at age 65

The typical average saved amount of money you should have at every age in West Bengal:
AgeAmount
25200,000 INR
30390,000 INR
35680,000 INR
40980,000 INR
451.5M INR
502.1M INR
552.4M INR
603M INR
653.6M INR

Retirement Income Distribution

We asked residents of West Bengal about their retirement income sources and below are the results.

Source% People
Pensions11%
Savings24%
Investments11%
Social Security6%
Annuities6%
Part-time Job16%
Real Estate19%
Dividends and Interest6%

Retirement Monthly Expenses in West Bengal

13,000 INR
$160
39,000 INR
$470
260,000 INR
$3,100
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Debt, loans, and mortgages in West Bengal


Percentage of people who are in debt


In Debt
30%
Debt Free
70%

According to the survey, 30% of the people in West Bengal have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 70% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.


Debt-to-income ratio in West Bengal

Debt to income ratio

35%

26% to 45%

( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 35% of the people's monthly income in West Bengal goes to debt settlement.


Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

Debt-to-income ratio% People
> 60%3%
50% - 60%20%
40% - 50%15%
30% - 40%17%
20% - 30%9%
10% - 20%10%
0% - 10%25%

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in West Bengal pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 20% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 15% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 17% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 9% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.


Distribution by type of debt in West Bengal

Debt% People
Real Estate Mortgage7%
Auto Loan13%
Student Loan4%
Credit Card31%
Personal Loan45%

7% of debtors in West Bengal confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 31% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 13% of people and personal loans rose at 45%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in West Bengal.


About credit score and debt management

Managing debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.


Loan Affordability Index in West Bengal

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents of West Bengal how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Frequency% People
Never49%
Once a year24%
Twice a year13%
Three times a year9%
Four times a year4%

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in West Bengal

Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Rent Cost in West Bengal

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment
6,300 INR 9,400 INR 25,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$76 $110 $300
1-bedroom apartment
9,400 INR 15,000 INR 38,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$110 $180 $450
2-bedroom apartment
13,000 INR 19,000 INR 50,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$150 $230 $610
3-bedroom apartment
15,000 INR 25,000 INR 68,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$180 $300 $830
Furnished apartment
30,000 INR 75,000 INR 150,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$360 $910 $1,800
Townhouse
25,000 INR 38,000 INR 110,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$300 $450 $1,300
House
30,000 INR 75,000 INR 150,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$360 $910 $1,800
Villa
38,000 INR 94,000 INR 150,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$450 $1,100 $1,800

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in West Bengal ranges between 6,300 INR and 25,000 INR, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 9,400 INR to 38,000 INR. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 13,000 INR and 50,000 INR per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 15,000 INR to 68,000 INR. The average rent of a townhouse in West Bengal is around 38,000 INR while house rental costs can be as high as 75,000 INR per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 38,000 INR to 150,000 INR per month.



Apartment and house prices in West Bengal

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment
1.3M INR 1.9M INR 3.8M INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$15,000 $23,000 $45,000
1-bedroom apartment
1.5M INR 2.5M INR 9.4M INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$18,000 $30,000 $110,000
2-bedroom apartment
2.5M INR 7.5M INR 15M INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$30,000 $91,000 $180,000
3-bedroom apartment
8.4M INR 13M INR 38M INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$100,000 $150,000 $450,000
Townhouse
11M INR 25M INR 94M INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$130,000 $300,000 $1.1M
House
13M INR 75M INR 110M INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$150,000 $910,000 $1.3M
Villa
15M INR 84M INR 130M INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$180,000 $1M $1.5M

The average price of a studio apartment in West Bengal can range from 1.3M INR to 3.8M INR depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 1.5M INR to 9.4M INR. A villa can cost you 84M INR on average with prices ranging from 15M INR to 130M INR.


If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in West Bengal 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


37 x105 monthly income 220
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Property prices in West Bengal can be x105 to x220 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x105 multiples of the average monthly salary in West Bengal.



Rent to income ratio


Rent to income ratio

( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100


21% 32% of income 44%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average rent-to-income ratio in West Bengal is around 32%. This means that people pay 32% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 21% to 44% 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
30%

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.


FROM
1.9%
AVERAGE
2.9%
TO
3.8%

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.


120 INR 1,500 INR 15,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

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.


Single
Spending habits, consumption analysis, and expenditure patterns for a single person living in West Bengal

Housing29%

29% of total expenses on average (17% to 41%)

LOW$76   6,300 INR
AVERAGE$230   19,000 INR
HIGH$1,500   130,000 INR
Per Month

Utilities, Electricity, Water9%

9% of total expenses on average (5% to 14%)

LOW$13   1,000 INR
AVERAGE$38   3,100 INR
HIGH$250   21,000 INR
Per Month

Transport, Fuel4%

4% of total expenses on average (2% to 10%)

LOW$17   1,400 INR
AVERAGE$50   4,200 INR
HIGH$340   28,000 INR
Per Month

Food and Groceries20%

20% of total expenses on average (14% to 25%)

LOW$34   2,800 INR
AVERAGE$100   8,400 INR
HIGH$670   56,000 INR
Per Month

Healthcare13%

13% of total expenses on average (7% to 17%)

LOW$19   1,600 INR
AVERAGE$57   4,700 INR
HIGH$380   31,000 INR
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping2%

2% of total expenses on average (2% to 5%)

LOW$11   870 INR
AVERAGE$32   2,600 INR
HIGH$210   17,000 INR
Per Month

Education1%

1% of total expenses on average (0.00% to 3%)

LOW$4.2   350 INR
AVERAGE$13   1,000 INR
HIGH$84   7,000 INR
Per Month

Other Expenses22%

22% of total expenses on average (14% to 26%)

LOW$38   3,100 INR
AVERAGE$110   9,400 INR
HIGH$760   63,000 INR
Per Month


Couple
Average monthly living expenditure breaks and spending patterns for couples in West Bengal

Housing26%

26% of total expenses on average (19% to 36%)

LOW$120   9,600 INR
AVERAGE$350   29,000 INR
HIGH$1,900   150,000 INR
Per Month

Utilities, Electricity, Water8%

8% of total expenses on average (6% to 12%)

LOW$18   1,500 INR
AVERAGE$53   4,400 INR
HIGH$280   23,000 INR
Per Month

Transport, Fuel8%

8% of total expenses on average (2% to 13%)

LOW$42   3,500 INR
AVERAGE$130   10,000 INR
HIGH$670   56,000 INR
Per Month

Food and Groceries18%

18% of total expenses on average (13% to 23%)

LOW$49   4,100 INR
AVERAGE$150   12,000 INR
HIGH$790   65,000 INR
Per Month

Healthcare15%

15% of total expenses on average (9% to 19%)

LOW$39   3,200 INR
AVERAGE$120   9,600 INR
HIGH$620   51,000 INR
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping3%

3% of total expenses on average (1% to 6%)

LOW$21   1,700 INR
AVERAGE$63   5,200 INR
HIGH$340   28,000 INR
Per Month

Education1%

1% of total expenses on average (0.00% to 3%)

LOW$7   580 INR
AVERAGE$21   1,700 INR
HIGH$110   9,300 INR
Per Month

Other Expenses21%

21% of total expenses on average (15% to 27%)

LOW$60   4,900 INR
AVERAGE$180   15,000 INR
HIGH$950   79,000 INR
Per Month


Family
Average monthly expenses and break out of spending for families living in West Bengal

Housing25%

25% of total expenses on average (20% to 35%)

LOW$160   13,000 INR
AVERAGE$450   37,000 INR
HIGH$2,500   200,000 INR
Per Month

Transport, Fuel4%

4% of total expenses on average (2% to 6%)

LOW$39   3,300 INR
AVERAGE$110   9,300 INR
HIGH$620   51,000 INR
Per Month

Food and Groceries22%

22% of total expenses on average (15% to 28%)

LOW$88   7,300 INR
AVERAGE$250   21,000 INR
HIGH$1,400   120,000 INR
Per Month

Healthcare12%

12% of total expenses on average (8% to 17%)

LOW$39   3,300 INR
AVERAGE$110   9,300 INR
HIGH$620   51,000 INR
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping2%

2% of total expenses on average (1% to 6%)

LOW$25   2,000 INR
AVERAGE$70   5,800 INR
HIGH$390   32,000 INR
Per Month

Education13%

13% of total expenses on average (6% to 21%)

LOW$69   5,700 INR
AVERAGE$200   16,000 INR
HIGH$1,100   90,000 INR
Per Month

Other Expenses16%

16% of total expenses on average (9% to 21%)

LOW$59   4,900 INR
AVERAGE$170   14,000 INR
HIGH$930   77,000 INR
Per Month


Student
Cost of living and expenses break down for students living in West Bengal

Housing17%

17% of total expenses on average (12% to 23%)

LOW$39   3,300 INR
AVERAGE$98   8,100 INR
HIGH$180   15,000 INR
Per Month

Utilities, Electricity, Water7%

7% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)

LOW$6.5   540 INR
AVERAGE$16   1,400 INR
HIGH$29   2,400 INR
Per Month

Transport, Fuel3%

3% of total expenses on average (4% to 9%)

LOW$11   950 INR
AVERAGE$29   2,400 INR
HIGH$51   4,300 INR
Per Month

Food and Groceries24%

24% of total expenses on average (18% to 28%)

LOW$33   2,700 INR
AVERAGE$82   6,800 INR
HIGH$150   12,000 INR
Per Month

Healthcare10%

10% of total expenses on average (7% to 13%)

LOW$9.8   810 INR
AVERAGE$25   2,000 INR
HIGH$44   3,700 INR
Per Month

Leisure, Shopping2%

2% of total expenses on average (2% to 6%)

LOW$8.2   680 INR
AVERAGE$20   1,700 INR
HIGH$37   3,000 INR
Per Month

Education18%

18% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)

LOW$31   2,600 INR
AVERAGE$78   6,400 INR
HIGH$140   12,000 INR
Per Month

Other Expenses19%

19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)

LOW$25   2,000 INR
AVERAGE$61   5,100 INR
HIGH$110   9,100 INR
Per Month
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