Dhaka vs Kolkata

Dhaka is a vast, extremely dense metropolitan area with intense street life. Limited walking conditions, scarce housing space and congested car travel make everyday movement demanding.

Mixed-use streets and a relatively low reliance on cars are real strengths. Apartments tend to be cramped, however, and walkability is held back by crowded, uneven pavements.

Violent crime is comparatively low, with a homicide rate below Manila and roughly in line with Bangkok, so on paper the city is safer than its chaos suggests. Petty theft and street hassle are more common, though, and perceived safety after dark is middling.

Petty theft exists, as in any dense metro. The weaker spot is broader political stability, which can be turbulent.

Building a local career in Dhaka is difficult for newcomers. Healthcare is a genuine weak spot.

English-language work gives Kolkata some access to jobs, but the local market is narrow and professional networks are thin. Healthcare is middling.

Local culture runs deep and proud, and Bengali food, sweets and street eats are a real draw. Living costs are rock-bottom, but congestion and the lack of free amenities mean enjoyment is hard-won; the street is busy, not pleasant.

Culture is where Kolkata shines. Kolkata's colonial fabric is decaying, its dense streets marked by litter and monsoon grime.