Cost of living: Boston area vs Kolkata
A family of four living comfortably in Kolkata spends about ₹1.16 L a month, about 84% less than the ₹7.35 L ($7,741) the same lifestyle costs in Boston area. The biggest savings are in rent, groceries and help at home. Some costs are higher: school fees and petrol.
Boston area, a month₹7.35 L$7,741
Kolkata, a month₹1.16 L
Difference84% lessin Kolkata
Item by item
| Cost | Boston area | Kolkata | In Kolkata |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Rent, 2-bedroom apartmenta month | $3,400 ≈ ₹3.23 L$2,800–$4,200Source: Zillow, Trulia, Rentometer, RentHop and PadMapper (2026) | ₹32,000₹25,000–₹45,000Source: NoBroker, Square Yards, Housing.com, Houssed and developers' rental guides (2026) | 90% less |
| Rent, 3-bedroom apartmenta month | $4,200 ≈ ₹3.99 L$3,400–$5,500Source: Zillow, Trulia, Rentometer, RentHop and PadMapper (2026) | ₹50,000₹38,000–₹80,000Source: NoBroker, Square Yards, Housing.com, Houssed and developers' rental guides (2026) | 87% less |
| Buying an apartment, price per sq ftper sq ft | $600 ≈ ₹56,964$450–$900Source: NRI Landing estimate from 2025–26 sale prices | ₹9,000₹7,000–₹14,000Source: Square Yards, NoBroker, Homebazaar and Knight Frank reports (2025–26) | 84% less |
| Everyday costs | |||
| Groceries, family of foura month | $1,550 ≈ ₹1.47 L$1,250–$2,000Source: NRI Landing estimate | ₹13,000₹9,000–₹19,000Source: NRI Landing estimate | 91% less |
| Utilities: electricity, water, cooking gas, interneta month | $380 ≈ ₹36,077$280–$520Source: NRI Landing estimate | ₹3,500₹2,500–₹5,500Source: NRI Landing estimate from state tariffs | 90% less |
| Dinner for two, mid-range restaurantper meal | $100 ≈ ₹9,494$75–$140Source: NRI Landing estimate | ₹1,800₹1,100–₹2,800Source: NRI Landing estimate | 81% less |
| Getting around | |||
| Public transport, one commutera month | $90 ≈ ₹8,545$90–$90Source: Local transit agencies' monthly pass fares | ₹1,200₹700–₹2,000Source: NRI Landing estimate from metro and bus fares | 86% less |
| Petrolper litre | $0.85 ≈ ₹81$0.78–$0.93Source: NRI Landing estimate from 2025–26 pump prices | ₹105₹104–₹106Source: Retail prices of the oil marketing companies | 30% more |
| Children | |||
| Private school fees, one childa year | $40,000 ≈ ₹38.0 L$28,000–$55,000Source: NRI Landing estimate | ₹1,40,000₹80,000–₹2,40,000Source: Careers360 school listings and NRI Landing estimate | 96% less |
| Health | |||
| Doctor's visit (general physician, no insurance)per visit | $220 ≈ ₹20,887$160–$320Source: NRI Landing estimate | ₹600₹400–₹900Source: NRI Landing estimate | 97% less |
| Help at home | |||
| Help at homea month | $760 ≈ ₹72,154$600–$950Source: NRI Landing estimate | ₹10,000₹7,000–₹14,000Source: NRI Landing estimate | 86% less |
Typical cost, with the usual range and the source below it. NRI Landing estimate: our own figure from typical published prices, not yet checked against a single published source. Rupee amounts at ₹95 per US dollar (2026-10-23).
What the monthly total includes
| For a family of four | Boston area | Kolkata |
|---|---|---|
| Renta 3-bedroom apartment | ₹3.99 L | ₹50,000 |
| Groceries | ₹1.47 L | ₹13,000 |
| Utilities | ₹36,077 | ₹3,500 |
| Public transporttwo commuters | ₹17,089 | ₹2,400 |
| Petrol60 litres | ₹4,842 | ₹6,300 |
| Eating outfour dinners out | ₹37,976 | ₹7,200 |
| School fees | ₹0.00two children in public school (free) | ₹23,333two children, yearly fees spread over 12 months |
| Doctor's visitsone visit | ₹20,887 | ₹600 |
| Help at home | ₹72,154 | ₹10,000 |
| Total a month | ₹7.35 L | ₹1.16 L |
Compare other cities
Boston area vs other Indian cities
Will your savings last after the move?
The free retirement planner works it out year by year, with Indian inflation, your children's costs and a stress test.
Questions
Is it cheaper to live in Kolkata than in Boston area?
A family of four living comfortably in Kolkata spends about ₹1.16 L a month, about 84% less than the ₹7.35 L ($7,741) the same lifestyle costs in Boston area. The biggest savings are in rent, groceries and help at home. Some costs are higher: school fees and petrol.
How much is the rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Kolkata?
Typically about ₹50,000 a month in a premium gated community in popular family areas (Salt Lake, New Town, Rajarhat, Ballygunge), usually between ₹38,000 and ₹80,000.
Where the numbers come from
Typical costs for a comfortable family in popular areas: Cambridge, Somerville, Waltham, Burlington in Boston area; Salt Lake, New Town, Rajarhat, Ballygunge in Kolkata. Homes in India are premium gated communities by reputed builders, the kind most returning NRIs choose. Updated October 2026. Estimates for planning, compiled from published reports, listing sites and official fares and tariffs. Check current listings before deciding.
- Rent, 2-bedroom apartment
- Boston area: Average asking rent for apartments, from Zillow and Trulia (2026). Source: Zillow, Trulia, Rentometer, RentHop and PadMapper (2026).
Kolkata: Asking rents in premium gated communities by reputed builders (clubhouse, pool, security), the kind most returning NRIs choose, in popular areas near job hubs (2025–26). Society maintenance is often extra. Source: NoBroker, Square Yards, Housing.com, Houssed and developers' rental guides (2026). - Rent, 3-bedroom apartment
- Boston area: Average asking rent for apartments, from Zillow and Trulia (2026). Source: Zillow, Trulia, Rentometer, RentHop and PadMapper (2026).
Kolkata: Asking rents in premium gated communities by reputed builders (clubhouse, pool, security), the kind most returning NRIs choose, in popular areas near job hubs (2025–26). Society maintenance is often extra. Source: NoBroker, Square Yards, Housing.com, Houssed and developers' rental guides (2026). - Buying an apartment, price per sq ft
- Boston area: Typical sale price per square foot of interior area in the metro area (2025–26). Source: NRI Landing estimate from 2025–26 sale prices.
Kolkata: Asking prices for apartments in premium gated projects by reputed builders (per sq ft of super built-up area), from listing sites and property reports (2025–26). Source: Square Yards, NoBroker, Homebazaar and Knight Frank reports (2025–26). - Groceries, family of four
- Boston area: A family of four's monthly groceries on a moderate budget, adjusted for local prices. Source: NRI Landing estimate.
Kolkata: A family of four's monthly groceries, cooking at home. Source: NRI Landing estimate. - Utilities: electricity, water, cooking gas, internet
- Boston area: Electricity, water, gas and home internet for a 2–3 bedroom apartment. Source: NRI Landing estimate.
Kolkata: Electricity (with summer air conditioning), water, cooking gas and home broadband, at state tariffs. Source: NRI Landing estimate from state tariffs. - Public transport, one commuter
- Boston area: The local monthly transit pass. Source: Local transit agencies' monthly pass fares.
Kolkata: Typical monthly spend on metro and bus for one commuter. Source: NRI Landing estimate from metro and bus fares. - Petrol
- Boston area: Regular gasoline, converted from the price per gallon (2025–26). Source: NRI Landing estimate from 2025–26 pump prices.
Kolkata: Retail petrol price in the city (2025–26). Source: Retail prices of the oil marketing companies. - Dinner for two, mid-range restaurant
- Boston area: Dinner for two with three courses at a mid-range restaurant. Source: NRI Landing estimate.
- Private school fees, one child
- Boston area: Annual tuition at a private day school. Public schools are free. Source: NRI Landing estimate.
Kolkata: Annual fees at a well-regarded CBSE or ICSE day school; international (IB) schools cost about twice as much or more. Source: Careers360 school listings and NRI Landing estimate. - Doctor's visit (general physician, no insurance)
- Boston area: A primary care visit paid without insurance. Source: NRI Landing estimate.
Kolkata: Consultation with a general physician at a private clinic or hospital. Source: NRI Landing estimate. - Help at home
- Boston area: House cleaning once a week (four visits a month). Source: NRI Landing estimate.
Kolkata: A full-time helper for cleaning and cooking (part-time help costs much less). Source: NRI Landing estimate.