What does it cost to live in Dharamshala/McLeodGanj?
Depending on your preferences, accommodation in the Dharamshala area (including McLeodGanj, Bhagsu, Dharamkot and Jogibara) is available at prices ranging between INR 2000 (US$50) and INR 20,000 (US$450) per month. Food is available inexpensively: some people who cook for themselves manage to spend as little as INR 2000 (US$50) per month for food, while others eat often in the more expensive restaurants and pay as much as INR500 (US$10) per day or more for food. In any case, rest assured that you can probably find something in your budget fairly easily (with the possible exception of the times during H.H. the Dalai Lama’s public teachings, when prices tend to rise and advance booking is a must). All told, your total budget for life in Dharamshala could be anywhere from INR 4500 (US$100) to INR 45,000 (US$1000) per month, depending on your location and lifestyle choices.
