😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $567 in Bangalore versus $379 in Kozhikode.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $955 in Bangalore versus $612 in Kozhikode.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,343 in Bangalore versus $844 in Kozhikode.
😐Living in Bangalore is roughly 50% more expensive than Kozhikode, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Bangalore58% lower, Kozhikode72% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bangalore
Kozhikode
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.56₹338
$1.70₹162
109.41%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$17.64₹1,677
$11.83₹1,126
49.11%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.14₹394
$3.44₹327
20.35%
Cappuccino
$2.28₹217
$1.28₹121
78.12%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46₹43.37
$0.40₹37.70
15.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.16₹15.51
$0.14₹13.68
14.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.38₹226
$1.52₹145
56.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.14₹394
$2.29₹217
80.79%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bangalore
Kozhikode
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.62₹58.9
$0.67₹63.5
-7.46%
White Bread(500g)
$0.63₹59.7
$0.49₹46.36
28.57%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.88₹83.6
$0.54₹51.6
62.96%
Eggs
$1.06₹100
$0.84₹80.0
26.19%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.55₹718
$5.00₹476
51.00%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.69₹351
$2.59₹246
42.47%
Apples(1kg)
$2.59₹247
$2.13₹202
21.60%
Banana(1kg)
$0.80₹75.7
$0.65₹62.0
23.08%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.13₹108
$1.13₹107
-
Tomato(1kg)
$0.40₹38.50
$0.52₹49.34
-23.08%
Potato(1kg)
$0.48₹45.18
$0.44₹41.66
9.09%
Onion(1kg)
$0.54₹51.7
$0.40₹38.40
35.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.44₹41.64
$0.71₹67.2
-38.03%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.35₹33.50
$0.25₹23.75
40.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.16₹395
$4.59₹436
-9.37%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.61₹1,009
$5.07₹483
109.27%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.17₹206
$2.03₹193
6.90%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.24₹308
$2.70₹256
20.00%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
$7.59₹722
$3.89₹370
95.12%
🚌 Getting Around
Bangalore
Kozhikode
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.55₹52.6
$0.12₹11.08
358.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.60₹1,388
$5.97₹568
144.56%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.15₹109
$0.89₹85.0
29.21%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.35₹33.54
$0.26₹24.63
34.62%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.28₹217
$1.75₹167
30.29%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.17₹112
$1.18₹112
-0.85%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$14.1K₹1.3M
$11.8K₹1.1M
20.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.4K₹2.3M
$20.1K₹1.9M
21.27%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bangalore
Kozhikode
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$35.11₹3,339
$43.13₹4,101
-18.59%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.18₹492
$3.52₹335
47.16%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$10.59₹1,007
$6.43₹612
64.70%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bangalore
Kozhikode
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$18.24₹1,734
$16.60₹1,578
9.88%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.03₹573
$5.95₹565
1.34%
Cinema Ticket
$4.79₹455
$2.90₹276
65.17%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bangalore
Kozhikode
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$115₹10.9K
$39.33₹3,740
192.65%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,219₹306.1K
$559₹53.1K
476.11%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bangalore
Kozhikode
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.95₹2,658
$30.07₹2,859
-7.05%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.11₹2,863
$30.17₹2,869
-0.20%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$53.5₹5,086
$55.0₹5,229
-2.73%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$40.54₹3,855
$41.81₹3,976
-3.04%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bangalore
Kozhikode
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$305₹29.0K
$95.2₹9,049
220.24%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$180₹17.1K
$72.7₹6,912
147.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$812₹77.3K
$275₹26.2K
194.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$487₹46.3K
$169₹16.1K
188.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,776₹168.9K
$895₹85.1K
98.52%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$995₹94.6K
$673₹64.0K
47.84%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bangalore
Kozhikode
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$895₹85.1K
$189₹18.0K
372.83%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.19
7.62
20.60%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bangalore: June 9, 2026
Last update for Kozhikode: June 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $305 in Bangalore and $95.2 in Kozhikode. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Bangalore pays 373% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $18.00 in Bangalore vs $12.00 in Kozhikode for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $133 vs $100 per month, with Kozhikode cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Bangalore vs Kozhikode: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Bangalore or Kozhikode?
Kozhikode wins on cost – living expenses run 50% lower than in Bangalore. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Kozhikode the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Bangalore or Kozhikode?
Bangalore pays 373% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Bangalore vs Kozhikode?
Rent for a central apartment: $305 in Bangalore versus $95.2 in Kozhikode. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Bangalore vs Kozhikode?
A monthly transit pass in Kozhikode runs roughly 145% less than in Bangalore. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How do childcare costs compare in Bangalore and Kozhikode?
Childcare runs $115 in Bangalore versus $39.33 in Kozhikode. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Can you live on $1,200/month in Bangalore or Kozhikode?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Kozhikode gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Bangalore or Kozhikode?
Both work as nomad bases, but Kozhikode delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $379 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Kozhikode hard to pass up.
How safe is Bangalore compared to Kozhikode?
Safety-wise, Bangalore and Kozhikode are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Kozhikode gentler on the wallet – expenses run 50% less than in Bangalore. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.