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The Real Cost of Utilities and Bills in Nārāyanganj: A Budget Student's Survival Guide

@Amelie Rose2/8/2026blog

so, you're thinking of studying in narayanganj? well, hold onto your wallet because this city ain't cheap, especially if you're a student on a shoestring budget. i've been here for a year, and let me break it down for you, the real cost of keeping the lights on and the water running.


the weather right now? imagine being inside a steaming dumpling. it's the monsoon, so it's either pouring rain or so humid you could grow mushrooms on your textbooks. and if you need a break, dhaka's just a quick bus ride away, but let's be real, you won't be going there often because the traffic is a nightmare.

now, let's get into the nitty-gritty.

*the sitalakhya river
the river is beautiful, i'll give you that. but it also means the air is thick with moisture. so if you're thinking of living without an ac, good luck. i tried that for a week and ended up sleeping in the bathroom because it was the only tile floor. electricity bills here? they don't play. my room is tiny, but the ac runs 24/7, and my share of the bill is about 1500 bdt a month. and that's with me turning it off when i'm out. drunk advice from a senior: "never leave the ac on if you're not home. the meter spins faster than a fan on full blast."

the textile mills
narayanganj is the jute capital of bangladesh, and the textile mills are everywhere. they provide jobs, sure, but they also use a ton of water and electricity. overheard rumor at a tea stall: "the water pressure drops during peak hours because the mills are using it all." and that means sometimes you get a trickle of water in the morning. i've started collecting water in buckets for bathing. it's rustic, but it saves money. something a local warned me about: "the water bills are going up because the city is fixing the old pipes. so use sparingly."

the river port*
the port is a hub of activity, with ships and cranes everywhere. it's cool to look at, but it also means power fluctuations. my laptop charger has short-circuited twice because of the voltage spikes. and the noise? forget sleeping with the windows open. the sound of the ships' horns is like a lullaby if you're into that kind of thing. i'm not. so i have to keep the windows closed, which means the ac has to work harder. it's a vicious cycle. i found a tip on r/bangladesh about using a voltage stabilizer. it's an extra cost, but it saved my electronics.

now, let's talk about rent. i live in a shared room near the college. the rent is 10,000 bdt a month, and that includes water but not electricity. the electricity bill is split among four of us. so total monthly cost for rent and utilities: about 15,000 bdt. that's a big chunk of my 20,000 bdt monthly allowance.

food is another story. the mess food is cheap but, let's be honest, it's not great. i spend about 3,000 bdt a month on snacks and eating out. and if you want to go to a decent cafe, forget it. they charge dhaka prices. the best place for cheap eats is the tea stalls. you can get a full meal for 50 bdt. but the chairs are tiny and you have to share the table with strangers.

part-time jobs? tough. most places want you to work full-time. i got lucky and found a gig tutoring a kid for 2,000 bdt a week. it's not much, but it helps. i also make a little by selling notes to classmates. r/Dhaka is a good place to look for gigs, but you have to be quick.

and safety? well, it's okay during the day. at night, stick to the main roads. the river port area is not the safest after dark. i've had some close calls. so now i take an auto-rickshaw and pay extra to get home. it's worth it.


if you're planning to come here, my advice is: budget for the electricity bill, don't expect to save money on food, and get a voltage stabilizer. and if you need a break, head to dhaka, but be prepared to spend a day in traffic.

check out tripadvisor if you're looking for things to do, though honestly, there's not much for students. the riverfront is nice for an evening stroll, but bring an umbrella.

and remember: this is narayanganj. it's not the most glamorous city, but it's real. and sometimes, that's all you need.

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About the author: Amelie Rose

Exploring the intersection of technology and humanity.

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