India

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณCost of Living in India

Compare the cost of living across 7 cities in India.

The cost of living in India is tracked across 7 cities, with an average cost of living index of 26 out of 100, where New York City scores 100. Bangalore is the most expensive city and Kolkata the most affordable. Explore each city below for a full cost breakdown.

Estimated monthly budget in India

Typical total monthly cost by household type.

Single person
$810
per month
Couple
$1,220
per month
Family of 4
$1,710
per month
Student
$610
per month

Estimates based on the average cost of living in India, scaled by household size. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighbourhood and housing.

Mumbai

Mumbai

India's financial capital and home to Bollywood, known for its intense energy, street food, and dramatic contrasts between wealth and poverty. Housing in prime areas is expensive relative to local incomes.

Cost Index

28

Monthly Cost

$1,250

Pop: 12,478,447Safety: 42/100
Delhi

Delhi

India's sprawling capital territory blends Mughal-era monuments with a rapidly modernizing economy and expanding metro system. It is one of the cheapest major capitals in the world, though air quality is a significant concern.

Cost Index

22

Monthly Cost

$1,150

Pop: 16,787,941Safety: 38/100
Bangalore

Bangalore

Bangalore, officially Bengaluru, is India's Silicon Valley and the country's leading technology hub. The city enjoys a pleasant year-round climate and a cosmopolitan culture driven by its booming IT industry.

Cost Index

30

Monthly Cost

$800

Pop: 12,800,000Safety: 55/100
Chennai

Chennai

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.

Cost Index

26

Monthly Cost

$650

Pop: 10,900,000Safety: 56/100
Hyderabad

Hyderabad

Hyderabad is the capital of Telangana and a major technology hub known as Cyberabad, housing offices of major global IT companies. The city is famous for its Mughal-era landmarks like the Charminar and its rich biryani culinary tradition.

Cost Index

27

Monthly Cost

$680

Pop: 10,000,000Safety: 54/100
Kolkata

Kolkata

Kolkata, formerly Calcutta, is the cultural capital of India and the principal city of eastern India on the Hooghly River. It is renowned for its literary heritage, artistic traditions, and some of the lowest living costs among major Indian cities.

Cost Index

22

Monthly Cost

$550

Pop: 14,900,000Safety: 52/100
Pune

Pune

Pune is a vibrant city in western India known as the Oxford of the East for its numerous educational institutions. It has emerged as a major IT hub with a pleasant climate, affordable living, and proximity to Mumbai.

Cost Index

25

Monthly Cost

$620

Pop: 7,400,000Safety: 58/100

Frequently asked questions about the cost of living in India

What is the cost of living in India?
India has 7 cities in our database, with an average cost of living index of 26 out of 100 (New York City = 100).
What is the most expensive city in India?
Bangalore is the most expensive city we track in India, with a cost of living index of 30 out of 100.
What is the cheapest city in India?
Kolkata is the most affordable city we track in India, with a cost of living index of 22 out of 100.

Data & sources

As an independent cross-check, the World Bank puts the overall price level in India at 24 relative to the United States (=100) in 2024. View source

Cost figures on this site are independent estimates, cross-referenced with public data sources including World Bank, Numbeo, Eurostat, OECD.