Quick Answer
Dhaka is aggressively cheap for what it is. A mid-range life costs $450–750/month. The trade-off is urban density, traffic, and humidity — this is a city that rewards people who can look past surface chaos to find the genuine warmth underneath.
Full Budget Summary
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $100–200 | $200–400 |
| Food | $60–120 | $120–220 |
| Transport | $20–50 | $40–80 |
| Coworking | $30–60 | $60–120 |
| Health insurance | $45 | $45–80 |
| Misc | $30–70 | $70–130 |
| Total | $285–500 | $535–1,030 |
Why Dhaka
Dhaka is not beautiful. It is dense, hot, and the traffic is among the worst in Asia. Most nomads skip it entirely.
But for remote workers who want to understand South Asia from an uncommon angle, or who have a specific reason to be in Bangladesh, Dhaka is functional and staggeringly cheap. The food — biryani, pitha, khichuri, fuchka — is extraordinary and costs almost nothing. The people are warm. The city never stops.
Accommodation
Budget ($100–200/month): Room in a guesthouse or shared apartment in Gulshan, Banani, or Uttara. Basic furnishing, AC in better units. Power backup may be limited.
Mid-range ($200–400/month): Furnished one-bedroom apartment in Gulshan or Banani — the diplomatic and expat zones. These areas have better infrastructure, cleaner streets, and more English. A 1BHK in Gulshan 2 runs $250–400/month.
Food
This is Dhaka's genuine strength. Street food is exceptional and almost free. Biriani at a local restaurant: $1.50–3. Full lunch at a mid-range restaurant: $3–6. A meal at a good hotel restaurant: $8–15.
Western food is more expensive than most of Asia and often underwhelming. Eat local.
Transport
Dhaka's traffic is a genuine productivity tax. Rush hour is a 2–3 hour gridlock. Use Uber or Pathao instead of local taxis — the pricing is transparent and the drivers are professional.
Monthly transport with heavy Uber use: $40–80. A motorcycle rental via Pathao: $50–80/month.
Coworking
The coworking scene in Dhaka is small but functional. Bangladesh ICT Division has co-working initiatives. There are private incubators and startup spaces in Gulshan and Banani. Expect to pay $30–120/month.
Internet
Banglalink and Grameenphone are the best mobile operators. 4G data is widely available in Dhaka. Home broadband via BCC or other ISPs: 20–50 Mbps for $15–25/month.
Visa
Most nationalities get a 30-day visa on arrival or can apply online at visa.gov.bd. Extensions are possible at the Department of Immigration in Dhaka. The Business Visa is the right category for longer stays — requires an invitation letter from a Bangladeshi entity.
Bottom Line
Dhaka is not a destination most nomads would choose deliberately. But for those who come with open eyes, it is a city that gives back more than it asks. $600/month covers a comfortable stay with your own apartment and regular good meals.
Next steps: Pakistan Remote Workers Guide | Bangladesh Visa Guide | SIM Cards in Bangladesh
*Last updated: April 2026*