Revolut Logo
Revolut Ultra offers premium banking with global perks like lounge access, data, subscriptions, and insurance, ideal for frequent travelers.

Lounge access & subscriptions.

Affiliate disclosure

Kolkata, India 🇮🇳
#1981 ,

Nomad Score: 62%

💰 Cost & Affordability

💸 Cost of Living
87% Weight: 150
Kolkata is one of the most affordable metro cities in India, with low prices for daily expenses compared to global standards.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
85% Weight: 80
Rental prices are quite low, especially for shared apartments or budget studios, though premium areas cost more.
🍎 Food & Groceries
91% Weight: 40
Local markets and street food offer very cheap and diverse options; groceries are affordable.
🚌 Transportation Cost
90% Weight: 20
Public transport like metro, buses, and rickshaws are extremely inexpensive.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
78% Weight: 15
Cinema, cultural events, and local entertainment are affordable but limited in variety compared to bigger metros.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
72% Weight: 10
Gyms are affordable but quality and facilities vary widely.
💱 Currency Stability
53% Weight: 30
Indian Rupee experiences moderate volatility but generally stable for short-term stays.

💻 Digital Nomad Essentials

🚀 Internet Speed
64% Weight: 100
Average broadband speeds around 30-50 Mbps; mobile internet is widely available but can be inconsistent.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
67% Weight: 40
Growing number of coworking spaces, mostly concentrated in central business districts.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
75% Weight: 30
Many cafes offer WiFi, though speed and reliability can vary.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
62% Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to remote workers but not widespread or well-known internationally.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
38% Weight: 100
Kolkata is not a major hub for digital nomads compared to other Indian cities like Bangalore or Goa.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
85% Weight: 25
Easy to obtain SIM cards with valid ID; affordable plans.

🌟 Quality of Life

⚖️ Work-Life Balance
59% Weight: 30
Busy city life with long commutes can affect balance; however, cultural and leisure activities are accessible.
🌳 Environmental Quality
31% Weight: 15
Air and noise pollution levels are high; green spaces are limited.
🧼 Cleanliness
35% Weight: 10
City struggles with waste management and street cleanliness.
🗨️ Language Barrier
68% Weight: 30
English is widely spoken in business and tourist areas; Bengali is the local language.
💨 Air Quality
27% Weight: 15
Air pollution is a significant issue, especially in winter months.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Friendly
55% Weight: 25
Limited family-oriented amenities; schools and parks available but not extensive.

🏥 Healthcare

🏥 Healthcare Quality
60% Weight: 20
Good private hospitals available; public healthcare is basic but improving.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
83% Weight: 25
Medical services are very affordable compared to Western standards.
🏥 Healthcare
65% Weight: 20
Adequate for routine and emergency care, but specialized treatments may require travel.

🌿 Climate & Environment

☀️ Weather
54% Weight: 80
Tropical wet-and-dry climate; hot summers and heavy monsoon rains can be uncomfortable.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
42% Weight: 10
Moderate risk of flooding during monsoon; low earthquake risk.
🏞️ Green Spaces
40% Weight: 10
Limited parks and green areas within the city.
❄️ Air Conditioning
71% Weight: 15
Widely available in accommodations and public places, essential during hot months.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
48% Weight: 10
Distinct seasons but mostly hot and humid; mild winter.
🔊 Noise Pollution
29% Weight: 10
High noise levels from traffic, markets, and construction.

🎭 Culture & Entertainment

🎭 Culture
93% Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with festivals, arts, literature, and historic sites.
🌃 Nightlife
55% Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options compared to other metros; mostly bars and local eateries.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
43% Weight: 15
Few natural outdoor spots within city; nearby countryside accessible but requires travel.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
60% Weight: 10
Opportunities to learn Bengali and Hindi through local classes and immersion.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
74% Weight: 10
Good availability of cultural tours, heritage walks, and local experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
61% Weight: 10
Shopping malls, cinemas, and cultural centers provide indoor entertainment.

🍎 Food & Fitness

🍽️ Food Scene
90% Weight: 25
Diverse and flavorful Bengali cuisine with many street food options.
🧠 Yoga Studios
65% Weight: 10
Several yoga centers available, though not as numerous as in other Indian cities.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
63% Weight: 15
Gyms and fitness centers are available but vary in quality.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
70% Weight: 15
Plenty of vegetarian and fresh food options, though street food hygiene varies.

💼 Work Environment

🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
67% Weight: 20
UTC+5:30 is convenient for Asia and Europe but less so for Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
58% Weight: 25
Growing startup and tech community but smaller than Bangalore or Delhi.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
50% Weight: 20
Limited local remote job market; mostly reliant on global freelancing platforms.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
55% Weight: 20
Freelance community is emerging but not highly developed.
🏢 Coworking Quality
60% Weight: 30
Decent coworking spaces with basic amenities; premium options limited.

📈 Business & Economy

🚀 Startup Scene
57% Weight: 15
Modest startup ecosystem focused on IT and services.
💳 Local Payment Services
74% Weight: 10
Widespread use of UPI and mobile wallets; cash still common.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
52% Weight: 15
Growing interest but regulatory uncertainty affects adoption.

🚆 Transportation

✈️ Airport Connectivity
70% Weight: 30
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport connects to major Indian cities and some international destinations.
🚇 Public Transit
73% Weight: 20
Metro and bus networks are improving but can be crowded and unreliable.
🚶 Walkability
45% Weight: 20
Sidewalks are inconsistent; traffic and pollution reduce walkability.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
81% Weight: 15
Uber, Ola, and local services widely available and affordable.
🚲 Cycling
32% Weight: 10
Poor cycling infrastructure and heavy traffic make cycling unsafe.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
78% Weight: 15
Good rail and bus connectivity to other parts of India.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
55% Weight: 10
Limited formal scooter rental services; bike rentals available but less common.

📡 Connectivity

📱 Mobile Network Coverage
80% Weight: 20
Strong 4G coverage citywide; 5G rollout underway.
🔒 VPN Reliability
75% Weight: 20
VPN services generally reliable; occasional throttling reported.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
69% Weight: 15
Occasional outages but mostly stable power supply.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
40% Weight: 10
Public WiFi is limited and often unreliable.

⚖️ Legal & Administrative

🛂 Visa Ease
63% Weight: 40
Tourist visas are straightforward; no specific digital nomad visa.
📊 Tax Friendliness
47% Weight: 30
Complex tax system; foreign income taxation can be complicated.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
60% Weight: 15
Generally free but occasional restrictions and self-censorship occur.
🏛️ Political Stability
65% Weight: 20
Relatively stable local governance; occasional protests.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
58% Weight: 15
Possible for foreigners but requires documentation and can be slow.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
55% Weight: 10
Bureaucratic hurdles exist; process improving but still complex.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0% Weight: 35
No digital nomad visa currently available.

🌍 Digital Nomad Community

🌍 Nomad Friendly
42% Weight: 50
Limited infrastructure and community for digital nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
35% Weight: 25
Few organized events or meetups specifically for nomads.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
40% Weight: 20
Small online presence for nomads in Kolkata compared to other cities.

🛡️ Safety & Tolerance

🛡️ Safety
56% Weight: 100
Moderate safety; petty crime common but violent crime is low.
♀️ Female Friendly
48% Weight: 50
Women travelers should exercise caution, especially at night.
✊ Racial Tolerance
60% Weight: 50
Generally tolerant but occasional discrimination reported.

Feedback Thank You!

Thank you!

Your feedback has been submitted successfully.