Living in Dhaka
What it really costs to live in Dhaka, what you can earn, the visas that get you in, and the taxes you'll pay — for Bangladesh, updated 2026. As Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka commands the country's highest rents — but also its deepest job market. Dhaka lies in Southern Asia. The main language is Bengali. The currency is the taka. Bangladesh borders Myanmar, India.
Cost of Living in Dhaka
Full Monthly Breakdown for Dhaka
How Dhaka Compares to Other Bangladesh Cities
Dhaka is not the only option in Bangladesh. Here is how its single-person monthly cost (€950) stacks up against the other cities we track — Rajshahi is the cheapest, Dhaka the priciest.
| City | Single / month | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Rajshahi | €580/mo | -39% vs Dhaka |
| Khulna | €600/mo | -37% vs Dhaka |
| Savar | €630/mo | -34% vs Dhaka |
| Sylhet | €650/mo | -32% vs Dhaka |
| Chittagong | €800/mo | -16% vs Dhaka |
What You Can Earn in Bangladesh
Typical gross annual salaries in Bangladesh by sector (entry · median · senior). Dhaka pay usually sits around the national median.
| Sector | Entry | Median | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| it | €2 500 | €5 000 | €10 000 |
| retail | €1 500 | €2 500 | €3 500 |
| finance | €6 000 | €8 500 | €12 000 |
| education | €3 000 | €4 000 | €5 500 |
| healthcare | €1 500 | €3 000 | €6 000 |
| engineering | €5 000 | €7 000 | €10 000 |
| hospitality | €2 000 | €3 000 | €4 000 |
| construction | €2 500 | €3 500 | €5 000 |
Living in Dhaka: Safety, Health & Climate
Dhaka shares Bangladesh's wider quality-of-life profile. Dhaka has a tropical climate. Here is what daily life looks like on the things that matter most when you relocate.
Visa Routes to Bangladesh
Affording Dhaka is only half the question — you also need a visa that lets you stay in Bangladesh. The main routes:
- A job offer is normally required for the main work route.
- Permanent residence after about 5 years.
- Citizenship after ~10 years.
- Investment route from about €100 000 (USD).
Taxes in Bangladesh
Top marginal rate 10%, VAT 15%. Special regime — Export Processing Zone Incentives: 0% income tax
Settling into Dhaka
- Foreigners can open a local bank account in Bangladesh.
- Budget around €3 500 for first-month setup in Dhaka.
- Regulated professions needing credential recognition: Medicine, Law, Engineering, Architecture.
Get Your Bangladesh Emigration Report
Personalised visa options, costs and a 90-day plan for Bangladesh.
Get Essential Report — €5or start the free assessmentDhaka FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Dhaka?
A single person in central Dhaka should budget about €950/month, roughly €808 outside the centre. A family of four needs around €2 375/month.
Can I get a visa to live in Bangladesh?
Yes — the main route usually needs a job offer, with permanent residence reachable in about 5 years. See the full Bangladesh visa comparison for the route that fits you.
Sources: salaries, taxes, safety, healthcare and visa data from World Bank, OECD, the Global Peace Index and official government portals. Cost-of-living figures are community-sourced benchmarks — a guide, not a quote. Last reviewed 2026-05.
Related: Bangladesh Guide · Visa Comparison · All Countries