Short answer: the cost of living in Dhaka for expats is driven mainly by housing. In our current listings a furnished apartment ranges from about BDT 35,000 a month for a compact serviced studio-style unit in Bashundhara to BDT 130,000–170,000 for a furnished three- or four-bedroom flat in Gulshan or Banani, and more in Baridhara. Everything else, from groceries to transport, depends heavily on how much you rely on imported goods and private services.
Dhaka can be an affordable posting or an expensive one, and the difference is mostly about choices: which neighbourhood you live in, whether you shop at local markets or buy imported brands, whether you keep a car and driver, and whether your children attend an international school. This guide sets out what we know from our own rental data, and gives clearly labelled rough estimates for the rest so you can build a realistic first budget.
What does housing cost in Dhaka for expats?
Housing is the largest line in almost every expatriate budget, and it is the one where we can give real figures. The table below is generated from properties Rent Property lists:
| Area | Properties | Lowest | Median | Highest | Avg sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulshan | 10 | BDT 70,000 | BDT 160,000 | BDT 300,000 | 2,387 |
| Baridhara | 8 | BDT 150,000 | BDT 350,000 | BDT 1,000,000 | 4,000 |
| Bashundhara | 7 | BDT 35,000 | BDT 80,000 | BDT 150,000 | 1,343 |
| Banani | 6 | BDT 120,000 | BDT 150,000 | BDT 200,000 | 2,767 |
| Uttara | 3 | BDT 90,000 | BDT 100,000 | BDT 300,000 | 3,220 |
| Mohammadpur | 1 | BDT 100,000 | BDT 100,000 | BDT 100,000 | 2,000 |
| Khulshi | 1 | BDT 35,000 | BDT 35,000 | BDT 35,000 | 1,600 |
| Nikunja | 1 | BDT 600,000 | BDT 600,000 | BDT 600,000 | 9,200 |
| Niketon | 1 | BDT 100,000 | BDT 100,000 | BDT 100,000 | 2,000 |
| Mirpur DOHS | 1 | BDT 60,000 | BDT 60,000 | BDT 60,000 | 900 |
Monthly rents in BDT, excluding service charge and utilities. Based on 39 residential properties. Updated 2026-11-08.
From our current furnished and fully furnished listings:
- Gulshan: a 2-bedroom of 950 sq ft at BDT 70,000; 3-bedrooms of 1,350 sq ft at around BDT 75,000; larger 3-bedrooms of 2,200 sq ft at BDT 130,000–160,000.
- Banani: 3-bedrooms of 2,400–2,500 sq ft at BDT 120,000–140,000; 4-bedrooms of 3,400–3,500 sq ft at BDT 150,000–170,000.
- Baridhara: 4-bedrooms of 3,000–3,500 sq ft at BDT 150,000–350,000, with large diplomatic residences far above that.
- Bashundhara R/A: 1-bedroom serviced units of 300–325 sq ft at BDT 35,000–45,000; 3-bedrooms of 2,000 sq ft at BDT 80,000–110,000; a 4-bedroom of 2,450 sq ft at BDT 150,000.
- Uttara: a furnished 3-bedroom of 2,000 sq ft at BDT 90,000.
Some of these homes are already let; they are shown as evidence of the market, not as a promise of availability. See our Dhaka rent price guide for how furnishing, building grade and parking affect price.
Costs on top of the rent
- Service charge: commonly BDT 8,000–20,000 a month for lifts, generator, guards and cleaning.
- Security deposit: usually two to three months' rent, refundable less damages.
- Agency commission: conventionally one month's rent.
Serviced apartments are the exception: they normally bundle utilities, internet and housekeeping into one monthly figure. See our serviced apartments service.
How much are utilities and internet?
Electricity, gas and water are usually billed separately from rent in a standard lease. The biggest variable is air-conditioning: a large flat running several split units through the hot months uses far more power than a small flat. As a rough estimate only, many households spend somewhere in the range of BDT 5,000–25,000 a month on electricity and gas combined, with higher bills in summer. Ask the landlord or previous tenant for recent bills before you sign.
Home broadband is widely available in the main residential areas. Packages vary by speed and provider; as a rough estimate, expect somewhere around BDT 1,500–5,000 a month for a home connection. Mobile data is inexpensive by international standards. Our guide to utilities, internet and power backup explains what to check in a building.
What does transport cost?
Most expatriates in Dhaka do not drive themselves. The common options are:
- Ride-hailing apps and taxis for occasional trips. Affordable per journey, but costs add up with daily commuting through heavy traffic.
- A car with a driver, either your own vehicle with an employed driver or a monthly rental that includes one. Costs vary widely with the vehicle, hours and fuel; get written quotes, and agree a driver's pay, hours and overtime in writing.
- CNG auto-rickshaws and rickshaws for short local trips.
- Dhaka Metro Rail (MRT Line-6), which runs from Uttara southwards. It is useful if you live and work along its route, though it does not run through Gulshan or Banani.
Many employers provide a car or transport allowance for international staff. Check your package before budgeting for a vehicle.
How much do groceries cost in Dhaka?
This is where budgets diverge most. Local rice, lentils, vegetables, fruit, fish, chicken and spices are inexpensive, especially from markets. Imported goods, such as cheese, breakfast cereals, specific baby formula brands and speciality foods, are often priced well above what you would pay at home because of import costs. Supermarkets in Gulshan, Banani and Bashundhara stock many imported items.
A household that cooks mainly with local produce will spend a fraction of one that recreates a European or North American shopping basket. Restaurant prices also range widely, from inexpensive local eateries to international restaurants in Gulshan and Banani priced close to those in other Asian capitals.
What about domestic staff?
Many expatriate households employ a cleaner, cook or nanny, full-time or part-time. Pay, hours, days off and festival bonuses should be agreed in writing, and many families follow what colleagues or their employer recommend. We do not publish salary figures because they vary with experience, hours and duties. Read our domestic staff guide for how households usually arrange this.
How much is international schooling?
School fees vary widely between schools, year groups and curricula, and they change each year. They can easily become the second-largest cost for a family, so request the current fee schedule directly from each school and check whether your employer contributes. Location matters too: living near the school saves hours in traffic. See our guide to apartments near international schools.
A sample monthly budget by household type
The housing line below comes from our current listings. Every other line is a rough estimate for planning only; your actual costs depend on lifestyle, season and employer benefits.
| Monthly item (BDT) | Single professional | Couple | Family with children |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furnished housing (our listings) | 35,000–45,000 (1-bed serviced, Bashundhara) or 70,000 (2-bed, Gulshan) | 80,000–140,000 (3-bed, Bashundhara to Banani) | 130,000–170,000 (3–4 bed, Gulshan/Banani); 150,000–350,000 (4-bed, Baridhara) |
| Service charge | Often included in serviced units | 8,000–20,000 | 8,000–20,000 |
| Electricity and gas (rough estimate) | Often included in serviced units, otherwise 5,000–10,000 | 8,000–18,000 | 12,000–25,000 |
| Internet and mobile (rough estimate) | 2,000–5,000 | 3,000–6,000 | 4,000–8,000 |
| Groceries (rough estimate) | 15,000–35,000 | 25,000–60,000 | 50,000–110,000 |
| Transport | Varies: ride-hailing or employer car | Varies: get quotes | Varies: car and driver common |
| Domestic staff | Optional; agree in writing | Optional; agree in writing | Common; agree in writing |
| Schooling | Not applicable | Not applicable | Varies widely; ask schools |
Use these ranges as a starting point, then replace each rough estimate with real quotes once you arrive. Budget separately for one-off costs: the deposit, commission, any furniture you need, and a few weeks of temporary accommodation if you arrive before your flat is ready.
How can you keep costs under control?
- Consider Bashundhara or Uttara. Our listings show furnished 3-bedrooms of 2,000 sq ft there at BDT 80,000–110,000, compared with BDT 130,000–160,000 for a 2,200 sq ft furnished 3-bedroom in Gulshan. Weigh the saving against commute time. See Bashundhara and Uttara.
- Take a furnished flat for shorter postings. Buying furniture for a one- or two-year assignment is rarely cheaper. Read furnished vs unfurnished.
- Check generator capacity. A building whose generator carries air-conditioning avoids spending on a separate backup system.
- Shop local for staples. Keep imported goods for the items that genuinely matter to you.
- Clarify your employer's allowances for housing, transport and schooling before signing any lease.
Ask us on WhatsApp
Tell Rent Property your household size, preferred area and housing budget, and we will send you current furnished options with the full monthly cost set out: rent, service charge and what is included. Message us on WhatsApp at +880 1784-222255. We usually reply within one working day, Saturday to Thursday, 9:00–19:00.