According to an assessment by the Union Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation, Bihar has a somewhat lower cost of living than other states. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for March, which contains a comparison of 25 states, serves as the basis for this evaluation.

With 2012 as the base year, the CPI gives information on the average cost of everyday necessities for families. Bihar’s composite CPI in March was 188.8, which was 3.2 points below the 192 national average. This indicates that in Bihar, products and services that currently cost Rs 188.80 now cost Rs 100 in 2012.

Rural regions are often less costly than metropolitan areas across India, and Bihar is no exception. In Bihar, the urban CPI is 197.2, while the rural CPI is 187.4. The price of food products, which are produced and more easily accessible in rural regions, is a major factor in this discrepancy.

Grain, meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, oils, fruits, vegetables, pulses, sugar, spices, non-alcoholic beverages, food and beverages, pan and tobacco, clothing, footwear, housing, fuel, lighting, household goods and services, health, transportation and communication, entertainment, education, personal care, and other miscellaneous goods and services are the 26 essential goods and services that are used to calculate the CPI.