Housing & Cost of Living in West Bengal
What households in West Bengal spend per person each month, what they spend it on, and the homes they live in. Figures come from MoSPI's Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (2022-23 and 2023-24) and the NSS 76th round housing survey (2018).
In 2022-23 the average person in rural West Bengal spent ₹3,239 a month and in urban West Bengal ₹5,267, 14% and 19% below the India averages. Food took 51% of rural spending, against 46% for rural India. Spending is more evenly spread than in India as a whole, with a Gini of 0.228 rural and 0.305 urban. In 2018, 75% of rural households drew drinking water mainly from a tubewell or hand pump and 71% cooked with firewood, chips or crop residue.
Key figures & data tables
Monthly per capita consumption expenditure (MPCE) in West Bengal was ₹3,239 rural and ₹5,267 urban in 2022-23, against ₹3,773 and ₹6,459 for India. The state ranked 31st of 36 states and union territories on rural MPCE and 29th on urban MPCE. In 2023-24 West Bengal’s MPCE was ₹3,620 rural and ₹5,775 urban (India ₹4,122 and ₹6,996). These are the usual NSS estimates. Including the imputed value of items received free through welfare schemes, the 2022-23 figures are ₹3,407 and ₹5,426.
The Gini coefficient of consumption expenditure was 0.228 rural and 0.305 urban, against 0.266 and 0.314 for India. Among the 18 major states West Bengal had the 7th lowest rural Gini and the 12th lowest urban Gini. The top 5% of rural West Bengal averaged ₹7,945 a month, 5.7 times the bottom 5% (₹1,385); in urban areas the ratio was 9.5.
Food took 51.11% of rural and 44.53% of urban MPCE in West Bengal, against 46.38% and 39.17% for India. Egg, fish and meat took 9.65% of rural spending (India 4.91%) and milk 3.78% (India 8.33%). Rent was 2.29% of urban MPCE against 6.56% for urban India.
In NSS 76 (July-December 2018), 64.1% of rural and 94.1% of urban households lived in a pucca structure (India 76.7% and 96%). Piped water was the main drinking source for 21.2% of rural households (India 32.9%) and 64.6% of urban households. 83.7% of rural households had access to a latrine (India 71.3%), 97.1% had electricity for domestic use, and 24.5% cooked with LPG (India 48.3%). Households in hired urban dwellings paid an average ₹2,091 a month in rent (India ₹3,306).
The rows behind the charts above — 9 tables
›Monthly per capita consumption expenditure, West Bengal and India(4 rows)
NSS Report 591, HCES 2022-23 (MoSPI), Statement 1; HCES 2023-24 press note, 27 Dec 2024 (MoSPI), Figures 2, 3, 8 and 9 (major states). Usual NSS MPCE, without imputed values of items received free through social welfare programmes.
| Measure | WB rural (₹) | WB urban (₹) | India rural (₹) | India urban (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 3,239 | 5,267 | 3,773 | 6,459 |
| 2022-23, with imputed free items | 3,407 | 5,426 | 3,860 | 6,521 |
| 2023-24 | 3,620 | 5,775 | 4,122 | 6,996 |
| 2023-24, with imputed free items | 3,815 | 5,903 | 4,247 | 7,078 |
›MPCE by fractile class, West Bengal and India, 2022-23(12 rows)
NSS Report 591, HCES 2022-23 (MoSPI), Statements 2R and 2U
| Fractile class | WB rural (₹) | WB urban (₹) | India rural (₹) | India urban (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-5% | 1,385 | 1,723 | 1,373 | 2,001 |
| 5-10% | 1,755 | 2,252 | 1,782 | 2,607 |
| 10-20% | 2,019 | 2,689 | 2,112 | 3,157 |
| 20-30% | 2,274 | 3,122 | 2,454 | 3,762 |
| 30-40% | 2,509 | 3,553 | 2,768 | 4,348 |
| 40-50% | 2,753 | 4,055 | 3,094 | 4,963 |
| 50-60% | 3,038 | 4,630 | 3,455 | 5,662 |
| 60-70% | 3,367 | 5,304 | 3,887 | 6,524 |
| 70-80% | 3,789 | 6,275 | 4,458 | 7,673 |
| 80-90% | 4,437 | 7,796 | 5,356 | 9,582 |
| 90-95% | 5,329 | 10,149 | 6,638 | 12,399 |
| 95-100% | 7,945 | 16,376 | 10,501 | 20,824 |
›Gini coefficient of consumption expenditure, West Bengal and India(2 rows)
NSS Report 591, HCES 2022-23 (MoSPI), Statement 9; Table 3.16 for the 18 major states
| Sector | West Bengal | India |
|---|---|---|
| Rural | 0.23 | 0.27 |
| Urban | 0.31 | 0.31 |
›Rural MPCE by item category, West Bengal and India, 2022-23 (% of MPCE)(30 rows)
NSS Report 591, HCES 2022-23 (MoSPI), Statements 4R and 4U
| Item category | West Bengal (%) | India (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Cereal | 6.64 | 4.89 |
| Cereal substitutes | – | 0.02 |
| Gram | 0.17 | 0.24 |
| Pulses | 1.5 | 1.77 |
| Sugar | 0.67 | 0.82 |
| Salt | 0.17 | 0.11 |
| Milk and milk products | 3.78 | 8.33 |
| Vegetables | 6.41 | 5.38 |
| Fruits (fresh) | 2.74 | 2.54 |
| Fruits (dry) | 0.75 | 1.17 |
| Egg, fish and meat | 9.65 | 4.91 |
| Edible oil | 4.6 | 3.59 |
| Spices | 3.23 | 2.98 |
| Beverages and processed food | 10.79 | 9.62 |
| Pan, tobacco and intoxicants | 3.45 | 3.79 |
| Fuel and light | 7.96 | 6.66 |
| Toilet articles | 3.02 | 2.79 |
| Other household consumables | 2.04 | 2.33 |
| Education | 3 | 3.3 |
| Medical (hospitalisation) | 1.58 | 2.36 |
| Medical (non-hospitalisation) | 6.65 | 4.77 |
| Conveyance | 4.1 | 7.55 |
| Consumer services | 3.92 | 5.08 |
| Entertainment | 1.25 | 1.09 |
| Rent | 0.28 | 0.78 |
| Other taxes and cesses | 0.08 | 0.13 |
| Clothing and bedding | 5.53 | 5.24 |
| Footwear | 0.73 | 0.86 |
| Durable goods | 5.31 | 6.89 |
| Food total | 51.11 | 46.38 |
›Urban MPCE by item category, West Bengal and India, 2022-23 (% of MPCE)(30 rows)
NSS Report 591, HCES 2022-23 (MoSPI), Statements 4R and 4U
| Item category | West Bengal (%) | India (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Cereal | 5.1 | 3.62 |
| Cereal substitutes | – | 0.02 |
| Gram | 0.13 | 0.18 |
| Pulses | 1.18 | 1.21 |
| Sugar | 0.47 | 0.53 |
| Salt | 0.11 | 0.07 |
| Milk and milk products | 4.27 | 7.22 |
| Vegetables | 4.8 | 3.8 |
| Fruits (fresh) | 2.56 | 2.5 |
| Fruits (dry) | 0.78 | 1.31 |
| Egg, fish and meat | 8.4 | 3.57 |
| Edible oil | 3.32 | 2.37 |
| Spices | 2.3 | 2.13 |
| Beverages and processed food | 11.11 | 10.64 |
| Pan, tobacco and intoxicants | 2.73 | 2.43 |
| Fuel and light | 7.89 | 6.26 |
| Toilet articles | 2.95 | 2.87 |
| Other household consumables | 1.99 | 2.11 |
| Education | 4.89 | 5.78 |
| Medical (hospitalisation) | 1.57 | 1.91 |
| Medical (non-hospitalisation) | 6.74 | 4 |
| Conveyance | 5.22 | 8.59 |
| Consumer services | 6.13 | 5.92 |
| Entertainment | 1.58 | 1.58 |
| Rent | 2.29 | 6.56 |
| Other taxes and cesses | 0.16 | 0.24 |
| Clothing and bedding | 5.19 | 4.64 |
| Footwear | 0.7 | 0.77 |
| Durable goods | 5.43 | 7.17 |
| Food total | 44.53 | 39.17 |
›Share of food and cereals in MPCE, all-India, 1999-00 to 2022-23(5 rows)
HCES 2022-23 Factsheet (MoSPI), Statement 3 (all-India). 1999-00 and 2004-05 are on the Mixed Reference Period (MRP); 2009-10 onward on the Modified Mixed Reference Period (MMRP).
| Year | Rural food (%) | Urban food (%) | Rural cereals (%) | Urban cereals (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999-00 | 59.4 | 48.06 | 22.23 | 12.39 |
| 2004-05 | 53.11 | 40.51 | 17.45 | 9.63 |
| 2009-10 | 56.98 | 44.39 | 13.77 | 8.16 |
| 2011-12 | 52.9 | 42.62 | 10.75 | 6.66 |
| 2022-23 | 46.38 | 39.17 | 4.91 | 3.64 |
›Housing conditions, West Bengal and India, NSS 76th round (July-December 2018)(9 rows)
NSS Report 584, NSS 76th round, July-Dec 2018 (MoSPI)
| Indicator | WB rural (%) | WB urban (%) | India rural (%) | India urban (%) | Table |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pucca structure | 64.1 | 94.1 | 76.7 | 96 | Statement 22.2 |
| Piped water is the main drinking source | 21.2 | 64.6 | 32.9 | 65 | Statement 2.1 |
| Tubewell or hand pump is the main drinking source | 74.7 | 25.3 | 53.8 | 17.1 | Statement 2.1 |
| Improved drinking water source within the premises | 43.5 | 54.3 | 56.1 | 78.6 | Statement 6.1 |
| Access to a latrine | 83.7 | 96.9 | 71.3 | 96.2 | Statement 12.1 |
| Latrine for the household’s exclusive use | 56 | 64.3 | 63.2 | 77.6 | Statement 12.1 |
| Electricity for domestic use | 97.1 | 99.2 | 93.9 | 99.1 | Statement 25.1 |
| LPG is the cooking fuel | 24.5 | 79.3 | 48.3 | 86.6 | Statement 25.2 |
| Firewood, chips or crop residue is the cooking fuel | 71 | 11.1 | 44.5 | 5.6 | Statement 25.2 |
›Renting, West Bengal and India(4 rows)
NSS Report 591, HCES 2022-23 (MoSPI), Statements 4R and 4U, item 26 (rent); NSS Report 584, NSS 76th round, July-Dec 2018 (MoSPI), Statement 24.5; NSS Report 584, NSS 76th round, July-Dec 2018 (MoSPI), Statement 20.1. HCES rent is the rent sub-total of the questionnaire: house and garage rent paid, hotel lodging, land and other consumer rent. It is averaged over all households, most of which pay no rent, so it is not the share that tenant households spend.
| Measure | WB rural | WB urban | India rural | India urban |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent as % of MPCE (2022-23) | 0.28 | 2.29 | 0.78 | 6.56 |
| Average monthly rent of a hired dwelling, ₹ (2018) | 1,020 | 2,091 | 1,424 | 3,306 |
| Households in a hired dwelling, % (2018) | 2.5 | 18.4 | 2.5 | 29.4 |
| Households in an owned dwelling, % (2018) | 96.1 | 74.2 | 96 | 63.8 |
›Every figure on this page, with its table(19 rows)
| Claim | Source | Year |
|---|---|---|
| WB MPCE Rs 3,239 rural / Rs 5,267 urban; India Rs 3,773 / Rs 6,459 | NSS Report 591, HCES 2022-23 (MoSPI), Statement 1 | 2022-23 |
| With imputed free items: WB Rs 3,407 / Rs 5,426; India Rs 3,860 / Rs 6,521 | NSS Report 591, HCES 2022-23 (MoSPI), Statement 1 | 2022-23 |
| WB MPCE Rs 3,620 rural / Rs 5,775 urban in 2023-24 | HCES 2023-24 press note, 27 Dec 2024 (MoSPI), Figures 2 and 3 | 2023-24 |
| WB MPCE by 12 fractile classes, rural and urban | NSS Report 591, HCES 2022-23 (MoSPI), Statements 2R and 2U | 2022-23 |
| Gini WB 0.228 rural / 0.305 urban; India 0.266 / 0.314 | NSS Report 591, HCES 2022-23 (MoSPI), Statement 9 | 2022-23 |
| Food share WB 51.11% rural / 44.53% urban; India 46.38% / 39.17% | NSS Report 591, HCES 2022-23 (MoSPI), Statements 4R and 4U | 2022-23 |
| Rent share of MPCE WB 0.28% rural / 2.29% urban | NSS Report 591, HCES 2022-23 (MoSPI), Statements 4R and 4U | 2022-23 |
| All-India food share since 1999-00 | HCES 2022-23 Factsheet (MoSPI), Statement 3 | 1999-00 to 2022-23 |
| Pucca structure: WB 64.1% rural / 94.1% urban | NSS Report 584, NSS 76th round, July-Dec 2018 (MoSPI), Statement 22.2 | 2018 |
| Piped water is the main drinking source: WB 21.2% rural / 64.6% urban | NSS Report 584, NSS 76th round, July-Dec 2018 (MoSPI), Statement 2.1 | 2018 |
| Tubewell or hand pump is the main drinking source: WB 74.7% rural / 25.3% urban | NSS Report 584, NSS 76th round, July-Dec 2018 (MoSPI), Statement 2.1 | 2018 |
| Improved drinking water source within the premises: WB 43.5% rural / 54.3% urban | NSS Report 584, NSS 76th round, July-Dec 2018 (MoSPI), Statement 6.1 | 2018 |
| Access to a latrine: WB 83.7% rural / 96.9% urban | NSS Report 584, NSS 76th round, July-Dec 2018 (MoSPI), Statement 12.1 | 2018 |
| Latrine for the household’s exclusive use: WB 56.0% rural / 64.3% urban | NSS Report 584, NSS 76th round, July-Dec 2018 (MoSPI), Statement 12.1 | 2018 |
| Electricity for domestic use: WB 97.1% rural / 99.2% urban | NSS Report 584, NSS 76th round, July-Dec 2018 (MoSPI), Statement 25.1 | 2018 |
| LPG is the cooking fuel: WB 24.5% rural / 79.3% urban | NSS Report 584, NSS 76th round, July-Dec 2018 (MoSPI), Statement 25.2 | 2018 |
| Firewood, chips or crop residue is the cooking fuel: WB 71.0% rural / 11.1% urban | NSS Report 584, NSS 76th round, July-Dec 2018 (MoSPI), Statement 25.2 | 2018 |
| Average monthly rent of a hired dwelling: WB Rs 1,020 rural / Rs 2,091 urban | NSS Report 584, NSS 76th round, July-Dec 2018 (MoSPI), Statement 24.5 | 2018 |
| Tenure (owned / hired dwelling) | NSS Report 584, NSS 76th round, July-Dec 2018 (MoSPI), Statement 20.1 | 2018 |