🇮🇳Cost of Living in Chennai
India · Population: 10,900,000 · Cost Index: 26/100
Cost of Living in Chennai
India · Asia
Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu and a major cultural, economic, and educational center on India's southeastern coast. Known as the Detroit of India for its automotive industry, it also has a rich heritage in classical music and dance.
10,900,000
Population
26
Cost Index
56
Safety Index
48
Quality of Life
Average Monthly Cost: $650 (single person, excluding rent)
Cost Breakdown
Housing
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)
$300.001-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)
$170.003-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)
$650.003-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)
$370.00Food & Groceries
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant(per meal)
$2.00Meal for 2 at Mid-Range Restaurant(per meal)
$12.00McMeal at McDonald's(per meal)
$4.00Milk (1 liter)(per liter)
$0.65Bread (500g loaf)(per loaf)
$0.40Rice (1 kg)(per kg)
$0.55Eggs (12)(per dozen)
$1.10Chicken Breast (1 kg)(per kg)
$2.80Apples (1 kg)(per kg)
$1.70Banana (1 kg)(per kg)
$0.50Transportation
Monthly Public Transit Pass(per month)
$18.00One-Way Ticket (Local Transport)(per trip)
$0.25Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)(base fare)
$0.50Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)(per km)
$0.40Gasoline (1 liter)(per liter)
$1.25Utilities
Basic Utilities (85m² Apartment)(per month)
$42.00Mobile Phone Plan(per month)
$4.00Internet (60 Mbps+)(per month)
$10.00Healthcare
Doctor Visit(per visit)
$8.00Dentist Visit(per visit)
$10.00Prescription Medicine (avg)(per prescription)
$4.00Entertainment
Fitness Club Monthly(per month)
$18.00Cinema Ticket(per ticket)
$2.50Cappuccino(per cup)
$1.80Beer (0.5l) at Restaurant(per glass)
$3.00Clothing
Pair of Jeans (Levi's)(per pair)
$30.00Summer Dress (Chain Store)(per item)
$18.00Running Shoes (Nike, Adidas)(per pair)
$55.00Compare Chennai with another city
See how Chennai stacks up against any other city in our database.
Quick Facts
- Currency
- INR
- Language
- Tamil
- Cost Index
- 26/100
- Safety Index
- 56/100
- Quality of Life
- 48/100
Data last updated: 2026-01-15. Prices are approximate and shown in USD.