Evaluated benzene exposure in West Bengal’s adult population through urinary S-phenylmercapturic acid (SPMA), aiming to identify sociodemographic and lifestyle factors influencing environmental benzene exposure. SPMA (N = 258) quantified by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Sociodemographic and lifestyle data collected through questionnaire. Obtained mean SPMA 4.60 µg/g, with 95th percentile value 12.62 µg/g. Urban dwellers exhibited higher SPMA than rural (p < 0.01). Females had elevated SPMA than males. Highest SPMA (5.11 µg/g) recorded in < 35 years age group. Low-income groups (LIG), urban LIG, smoker males and those females exposed to passive tobacco smoke had higher SPMA. Urban females engaged in cooking had higher SPMA (p = 0.05). Smoker male travellers had 2.5 times higher SPMA than their counterparts. Traffic emissions and tobacco smoke were primary sources of benzene exposure in urban dwellers, while biomass fuel burning in rural. Urgent action is needed, emphasizing implementation of targeted government initiatives like clean fuel and efficient cook stoves to reduce benzene exposure in study areas.