“Salary credited” feels good for exactly three minutes in Guwahati these days.
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As the cost of living in the city continues to rise, many residents feel that maintaining a decent lifestyle now requires a much higher monthly income than before. With rent, electricity bills, fuel, school fees, healthcare, EMIs, and groceries constantly rising, household budgets are getting tighter each month, leaving little room for savings or emergencies.
In such a situation, even careful planning often falls short. Many families say that what used to be manageable a few years ago now requires significantly more income just to maintain the same standard of living.
GPlus hit the streets of Guwahati to find out how much residents believe a family really needs every month to survive comfortably in the city today.
Abhijit Baruah, Businessman
I believe a nuclear family today needs at least Rs 70,000 per month to live a decent life. Surviving in Guwahati with anything less has become extremely difficult.
Rafiqul Hussain, Contractor
I believe a minimum monthly income of Rs 50,000 is necessary. However, if a family owns a car, expenses can easily go up to nearly Rs 1 lakh. For those living in rented houses and using two-wheelers, Rs 50,000 may still be manageable. Coming from a middle-class background myself, I feel that although earnings are limited, expenses are constantly rising. I especially want to point out the increasing electricity bills after the introduction of prepaid meters, where the connection gets disconnected once the recharge amount is exhausted.
Mrinmoy Prashant Talukdar, Working Professional
I feel that earning around Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 per month is essential for someone living in a rented house and trying to maintain a decent standard of living. I believe the cost of living in Guwahati, especially house rent, has increased sharply in recent years.”
Tapan Deka, Electrical Contractor
Living in a city like Guwahati has become extremely expensive. Even for a middle-class family, monthly expenses, including rent, children’s education, vehicle costs, healthcare, groceries, and utility bills, can easily reach Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000. I feel that prices of essential commodities have risen steadily over the years, making it increasingly difficult for families to save money or manage unexpected expenses. Even day-to-day living has become a financial challenge, especially for those with fixed incomes.
Diganta Haloi, Businessman
It is becoming more and more difficult to survive in Guwahati with some semblance of dignity. A middle-class family will need to shell out Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000 to cover their monthly expenses, including rent, children’s education, and vehicle cost. I feel that the steady rise in prices of essential goods, along with increasing healthcare and utility expenses, has further added to the financial burden on households. Managing savings or handling unexpected costs has become increasingly difficult in such a scenario.”
Biki Raj, Educator
The amount required depends on whether a person is local or an outsider. Locals may manage with comparatively lower expenses, but for someone living in a rented house in Guwahati, I feel an individual would need around Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 per month. For families, the monthly requirement increases to approximately Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000, depending on their lifestyle and responsibilities.”
Ainul Haque Saharia, Businessman
Maintaining a minimum standard of living in Guwahati now requires approximately Rs 80,000 to Rs 1 lakh per month. I feel this amount is necessary considering the rising costs of rent, education, healthcare, transportation, and daily essentials. Even basic financial stability has become difficult to maintain without a sufficient and consistent income.
Nayan Jyoti Hazarika, Private employee and business owner
The required income varies from person to person. While some people manage to survive with very little, others require significantly more depending on their responsibilities. In my case, maintaining a joint family setup requires at least Rs 1.5 lakh per month. However, I acknowledge that many people continue to survive on as little as Rs 10,000 by adjusting their expenses and making compromises in their daily lives.”
Mrigen Mazumder, Businessman
Someone living in a rented house would need a minimum monthly income of around Rs 60,000 to sustain a basic standard of living, considering expenses such as rent, electricity, transportation, groceries, and other household needs. Families living in their own homes may manage with Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000, as they are free from the burden of rent. I also feel that the rising costs of education, including school fees, admission charges, tuition expenses, along with increasing prices of daily commodities such as vegetables, cooking essentials, fuel, and medicines, have significantly added to the financial pressure on middle-class and lower-income families.”
The responses from residents across different professions reflect a common concern. Guwahati’s rising cost of living is putting increasing pressure on household budgets. While estimates vary depending on family size, lifestyle, and housing status, most respondents agree that a monthly income between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1 lakh is now essential to maintain a decent standard of living in the city.
From rent and education to healthcare, fuel, and daily essentials, expenses continue to climb, leaving many families with limited scope for savings. However, many also acknowledge that living standards are highly subjective, people can manage with less by adjusting their lifestyle, while others may spend significantly more depending on their choices and responsibilities. Guwahati, being a diverse city, is home to people from different economic backgrounds, each navigating the cost of living in their own way.
