Varanasi, India
Editor
March 12, 2023
The ancient city of Varanasi, India is a popular destination for digital nomads looking for a unique and inspiring place to work and explore. With its rich cultural heritage, vibrant nightlife, and stunning architecture, Varanasi is a great place to experience the best of India. According to the World Bank, India is the world’s second-largest economy and is home to some of the world’s most innovative and creative minds. Varanasi is a great place to tap into this energy and creativity.The city is also known for its low cost of living, making it an attractive destination for digital nomads. According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Varanasi is around 40% lower than in New York City. This means that digital nomads can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle while still having enough money to explore the city and its surroundings.Varanasi is also home to a thriving tech scene, with many startups and tech companies based in the city. This makes it a great place for digital nomads to network and collaborate with other professionals. The city also has a number of co-working spaces, which provide a great environment for digital nomads to work and collaborate.Finally, Varanasi is a great place to explore India’s culture and history. The city is home to some of the most iconic temples and monuments in India, and its streets are filled with vibrant markets and street food. Digital nomads can explore the city’s many attractions and experience the best of India.
Living in Varanasi, India: Overview
Overall score | Worksplorer index
-
66%
Quality of life -
12%
Cost of living -
78%
Connectivity -
54%
Weather
44
General
| Currency | INR |
| Population (in millions) | 1.5 |
| Quality of life (world rank from 1 to 200) | Unranked |
| Cost of living compared to Chicago, USA | 40% cheaper |
| Best neighborhood to stay | Assi Ghat, Varanasi |
Culture
| Number of museums and galleries | 30 |
| Top selling local beer | Bira |
| Most popular local dish | Chaat |
Travel
| Most popular tourist attraction(s) | Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Ganga Aarti, Assi Ghat |
| Discount airline | IndiGo |
| Major airline | Air India |
| Largest ride sharing company | Ola Cabs |
| Primary train stations | Varanasi Junction, Manduadih Station, Kashi Station |
| Primary airports | Varanasi Airport, Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, and Gorakhpur Airport |
| Best rental car company | Zoomcar |
| Used car costs | 100000 INR |
Connectivity
| Apple store addresses | Apple Store Varanasi does not exist |
| Internet connection (in Mbps) | 10 Mbps |
| Power socket type | C, D, M |
| Supply voltage | 230V |
| Best electronics store | Croma |
| Best internet carrier | BSNL |
| Primary cellular carrier | Vodafone |
| Average monthly cost for internet | 500 INR |
Shopping
| The best drug store | Pharmacy |
| Best restaurant chain | Bhojohori Manna |
| The best grocery store | Big Bazaar |
| The most popular fashion brand | Fabindia |
Regulatory
| GDP per capita | $1,845 / year |
| Average annual income | $3000 |
| Sales tax rate | 5% |
| Income tax rate | Not applicable |
| Tourist visa valid (in days) | 30 |
Financial
| Average mortgage rate | Not available |
| 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 | 2,945 |
| Health quality rank (according to WHO) | 154 |
| Main religion | Hinduism |
Quality of life
66%
-
62%
Safety, freedom, rights -
99%
Traffic -
68%
Property to income -
38%
Crime -
73%
Healthcare -
54%
Weather
Salaries
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | ₹45,000 |
| Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate | 8.52% |
Childcare
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | ₹4,025 |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | ₹105,857 |
Cost of living
12%
-
Purchasing Power
77%
-
Rent
5%
-
Food
18%
-
Restaurant
18%
-
Workspace
88%
-
Transport
98%
Rent
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre Per Month | ₹14,666.67 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre Per Month | ₹10,135.04 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre Per Month | ₹35,500.00 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre Per Month | ₹27,333.33 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend), Sports And Leisure | ₹466.67 |
Food
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | ₹53.50 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | ₹32.50 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | ₹84.88 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | ₹242.50 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | ₹24.00 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | ₹500.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | ₹136.67 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | ₹253.33 |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | ₹330.00 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | ₹217.50 |
| Apples (1kg) | ₹95.00 |
| Oranges (1kg) | ₹63.75 |
| Potato (1kg) | ₹22.30 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | ₹32.08 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | ₹50.83 |
| Tomato (1kg) | ₹34.00 |
| Banana (1kg) | ₹46.00 |
| Onion (1kg) | ₹27.00 |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | ₹200.00 |
Restaurants
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | ₹250.00 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | ₹655.00 |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | ₹250.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | ₹150.00 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | ₹275.00 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | ₹28.33 |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | ₹14.55 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | ₹115.00 |
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 | ₹1,500.00 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) | ₹0.55 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | ₹275.00 |
Sports
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | ₹1,000.00 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | ₹466.67 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | ₹220.00 |
Transportation
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | ₹20.00 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | ₹275.00 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | ₹101.78 |
| 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) | ₹1,800,000.00 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | ₹32.50 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | ₹11.00 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | ₹100.00 |
