Kolkata, India
Editor
March 12, 2023
Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, is a vibrant and bustling city located in the eastern part of India. It is the capital of the state of West Bengal and is one of the most populous cities in the country. Kolkata is a great destination for digital nomads, offering a unique blend of culture, history, and modern amenities. The city is home to a number of universities, research institutes, and technology parks, making it an ideal place for digital nomads to work and live. Additionally, Kolkata is known for its diverse cuisine, vibrant nightlife, and rich cultural heritage. The cost of living in Kolkata is relatively low compared to other cities in India, making it an attractive option for digital nomads. The city also offers excellent public transportation, making it easy to get around. With its vibrant culture, low cost of living, and excellent infrastructure, Kolkata is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking to explore India.
Living in Kolkata, India: Overview
Overall score | Worksplorer index
-
64%
Quality of life -
14%
Cost of living -
78%
Connectivity -
61%
Weather
46
General
| Currency | INR |
| Population (in millions) | 14.5 |
| Quality of life (world rank from 1 to 200) | 181 |
| Cost of living compared to Chicago, USA | 40% cheaper |
| Best neighborhood to stay | Park Street, Kolkata 7 |
Culture
| Number of museums and galleries | 30 |
| Top selling local beer | Kingfisher |
| Most popular local dish | Biryani |
Travel
| Most popular tourist attraction(s) | Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge, Indian Museum |
| Discount airline | IndiGo |
| Major airline | Air India |
| Largest ride sharing company | Ola Cabs |
| Primary train stations | Howrah Junction, Sealdah Station, Shalimar Station |
| Primary airports | Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport, and Chitpur Airport |
| Best rental car company | Zoomcar |
| Used car costs | 500000 INR |
Connectivity
| Apple store addresses | Apple Store, Quest Mall, Syed Amir Ali Avenue, Ballygunge, Kolkata, West Bengal 700017 |
| Internet connection (in Mbps) | 10 Mbps |
| Power socket type | C, D |
| Supply voltage | 230V |
| Best electronics store | Croma |
| Best internet carrier | Airtel |
| Primary cellular carrier | Vodafone |
| Average monthly cost for internet | 500 INR |
Shopping
| The best drug store | Apollo |
| Best restaurant chain | Biryani House |
| The best grocery store | Spencer's |
| The most popular fashion brand | Pantaloons |
Regulatory
| GDP per capita | $2,845 / year |
| Average annual income | $3000 |
| Sales tax rate | 5% |
| Income tax rate | 30% |
| Tourist visa valid (in days) | 30 |
Financial
| Average mortgage rate | 8.5% |
| Suggested ATM take out | 2000 INR |
| Bank that has the most ATM machines | State Bank of India |
| Average tip in restaurant | 5-10% |
| Pay using credit or debit card | Not very common |
Health
| Emergency Phone Numbers | 100 (police), 101 (fire), 102 (ambulance) |
| Polution per square meter | 20,945 |
| Health quality rank (according to WHO) | 154 |
| Main religion | Hinduism |
Quality of life
64%
-
53%
Safety, freedom, rights -
99%
Traffic -
68%
Property to income -
47%
Crime -
58%
Healthcare -
61%
Weather
Salaries
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | ₹40,247 |
| Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate | 8.54% |
Childcare
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | ₹4,017 |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | ₹135,455 |
Cost of living
14%
-
Purchasing Power
62%
-
Rent
5%
-
Food
24%
-
Restaurant
16%
-
Workspace
78%
-
Transport
60%
Rent
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre Per Month | ₹12,015.21 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre Per Month | ₹7,128.21 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre Per Month | ₹32,628.57 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre Per Month | ₹19,705.88 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend), Sports And Leisure | ₹658.18 |
Food
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | ₹53.94 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | ₹33.02 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | ₹76.83 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | ₹450.62 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | ₹28.72 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | ₹750.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | ₹149.80 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | ₹233.97 |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | ₹330.00 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | ₹243.22 |
| Apples (1kg) | ₹146.47 |
| Oranges (1kg) | ₹100.20 |
| Potato (1kg) | ₹30.51 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | ₹34.59 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | ₹57.33 |
| Tomato (1kg) | ₹51.06 |
| Banana (1kg) | ₹52.07 |
| Onion (1kg) | ₹33.25 |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | ₹501.64 |
Restaurants
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | ₹157.03 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | ₹1,200.00 |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | ₹300.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | ₹180.00 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | ₹300.00 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | ₹29.47 |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | ₹13.32 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | ₹130.25 |
Connectivity
94%
Infrastructure
89/100
Internet speed
92/100
Internet cost
95/100
Pre-paid plan
98/100
Utilities (Monthly)
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | ₹2,852.81 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) | ₹0.94 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | ₹585.19 |
Sports
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | ₹1,508.33 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | ₹658.18 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | ₹300.00 |
Transportation
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | ₹15.00 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | ₹325.00 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | ₹107.77 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | ₹1,200,000.00 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | ₹1,795,238.10 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | ₹50.00 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | ₹25.00 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | ₹100.00 |