Cost of living in Gangtok (Sikkim)
Gangtok, the capital city of Sikkim, India, is known for its scenic beauty and cultural heritage. Understanding the cost of living in Gangtok is crucial for anyone planning to move or visit, as it provides insights into the expenses associated with daily life in this vibrant city.
This guide breaks down the cost of living in Gangtok, covering essential categories such as dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities, to help you make informed financial decisions.
Cost of Living Summary
Dining and Restaurants
- Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $2.61 on average.
- Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $13.03, with prices ranging from $11.84 to $14.21.
- Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) - A domestic beer costs approximately $0.95.
- Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) - An imported beer is priced at $1.78.
- Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) - A bottle of Coke or Pepsi costs between $0.36 and $0.47, averaging $0.41.
- Water (0.33 liter bottle) - A small bottle of water is priced at $0.47.
Grocery Prices
- Milk - Milk is priced at $0.77 per liter.
- Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs $0.47.
- Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs are priced at $1.42.
- Local Cheese (1kg) - Local cheese costs $3.55 per kg.
- Water (1.5 liter bottle) - A 1.5-liter bottle of water is priced at $0.59.
- Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) - A domestic beer bottle costs $0.95.
- Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) - An imported beer bottle is priced at $2.13.
- Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) - A pack of Marlboro cigarettes costs $4.26.
- Chicken Fillets (1kg) - Chicken fillets are priced at $3.55 per kg.
- Apples (1kg) - Apples cost $2.37 per kg.
- Potato (1kg) - Potatoes are priced at $0.59 per kg.
- Rice (white), (1kg) - Rice costs $0.71 per kg.
- Tomato (1kg) - Tomatoes are priced at $0.71 per kg.
- Banana (1kg) - Bananas cost $0.83 per kg.
- Onion (1kg) - Onions are priced at $0.59 per kg.
- Beef Round (1kg) - Beef round costs $3.43 per kg.
Transportation
- Gasoline (1 liter) - Gasoline is priced at $1.3 per liter.
- Taxi (1km, Normal Tariff) - A taxi ride costs $0.36 per km.
Housing Costs
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $59.21 to $94.74, averaging $80.92.
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $35.53 to $76.97, averaging $53.29.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from $142.1 to $213.16, averaging $177.63.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from $71.05 to $142.1, averaging $118.42.
Utilities
- Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost $26.05.
- Internet - Internet services cost $7.09.
- Mobile Phone Monthly Plan - A mobile phone plan with calls and 10GB+ data costs $3.54.
Cost of Living Rankings
The cost of living indices for India are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in India, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.
Cost of Living Data
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Clothing And Shoes
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"Key Takeaways"
Gangtok offers a relatively low cost of living compared to many urban areas, with affordable dining and housing options.
Transportation costs are minimal, making it easy to navigate the city without significant expense.
Basic utilities and internet services are also reasonably priced, contributing to the overall affordability of living in Gangtok.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Gangtok presents an affordable living environment with low costs in dining, housing, and transportation.
This makes it an attractive option for those looking to experience the cultural richness of Sikkim without the financial burden of higher living costs found in larger cities.