🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $450 in Dehradun versus $455 in Chandigarh.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $826 in Dehradun versus $739 in Chandigarh.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,203 in Dehradun versus $1,023 in Chandigarh.
🙂Living in Dehradun costs roughly 1% less than in Chandigarh, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Dehradun66% lower, Chandigarh66% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Dehradun
Chandigarh
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.40₹228
$3.16₹301
-24.05%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.47₹902
$14.21₹1,354
-33.36%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.98₹379
$3.41₹325
16.72%
Cappuccino
$1.85₹177
$2.00₹191
-7.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.43₹41.16
$0.39₹37.33
10.26%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.18₹17.22
$0.20₹19.03
-10.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.01₹191
$1.71₹163
17.54%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.95₹281
$2.93₹279
0.68%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Dehradun
Chandigarh
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.73₹69.9
$0.77₹73.5
-5.19%
White Bread(500g)
$0.45₹43.02
$0.58₹55.7
-22.41%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.72₹68.9
$0.90₹85.5
-20.00%
Eggs
$0.91₹86.3
$1.06₹101
-14.15%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.87₹464
$5.45₹519
-10.64%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.65₹348
$3.03₹289
20.46%
Apples(1kg)
$1.90₹181
$1.99₹189
-4.52%
Banana(1kg)
$0.69₹66.1
$0.81₹77.6
-14.81%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.76₹72.8
$0.97₹92.7
-21.65%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.59₹55.8
$0.56₹53.7
5.36%
Potato(1kg)
$0.37₹35.36
$0.40₹37.66
-7.50%
Onion(1kg)
$0.44₹42.27
$0.46₹43.68
-4.35%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.55₹52.8
$0.49₹46.64
12.24%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.34₹32.71
$0.32₹30.24
6.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.44₹423
$4.01₹382
10.72%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.17₹969
$9.79₹932
3.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.72₹164
$1.72₹164
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22₹212
$2.76₹263
-19.57%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
$5.80₹552
$5.28₹503
9.85%
🚌 Getting Around
Dehradun
Chandigarh
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.28₹26.66
$0.30₹28.76
-6.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$13.75₹1,310
$8.50₹810
61.76%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.77₹73.7
$0.78₹74.3
-1.28%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.22₹20.93
$0.24₹22.99
-8.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.06₹197
$1.30₹123
58.46%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.16₹110
$1.15₹110
0.87%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$12.8K₹1.2M
$14.5K₹1.4M
-11.97%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.3K₹1.9M
$29.0K₹2.8M
-29.81%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Dehradun
Chandigarh
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$41.83₹3,984
$47.95₹4,567
-12.76%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.66₹349
$3.47₹330
5.48%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.51₹716
$7.14₹680
5.18%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Dehradun
Chandigarh
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$16.53₹1,574
$19.33₹1,842
-14.49%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.04₹1,052
$10.12₹964
9.09%
Cinema Ticket
$5.40₹514
$2.88₹274
87.50%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Dehradun
Chandigarh
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$66.3₹6,316
$61.9₹5,897
7.09%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,116₹106.3K
$1,968₹187.5K
-43.31%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Dehradun
Chandigarh
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$22.07₹2,102
$24.50₹2,334
-9.92%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.14₹2,680
$24.07₹2,293
16.91%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$47.15₹4,491
$48.81₹4,649
-3.40%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$42.43₹4,042
$32.30₹3,077
31.36%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Dehradun
Chandigarh
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$181₹17.3K
$174₹16.6K
3.83%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$107₹10.2K
$104₹9,874
3.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$410₹39.1K
$403₹38.4K
1.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$480₹45.7K
$271₹25.8K
77.36%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$737₹70.2K
$3,407₹324.6K
-78.36%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$458₹43.6K
$2,069₹197.1K
-77.87%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Dehradun
Chandigarh
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$373₹35.5K
$435₹41.5K
-14.30%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.25
8.3
-0.60%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Dehradun: May 31, 2026
Last update for Chandigarh: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $181 in Dehradun and $174 in Chandigarh. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Chandigarh pays 17% 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: $9.00 in Dehradun vs $14.00 in Chandigarh for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $113 vs $116 per month, with Dehradun 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
Dehradun vs Chandigarh: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Dehradun or Chandigarh?
Dehradun wins on cost – living expenses run 1% lower than in Chandigarh. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Dehradun the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Dehradun or Chandigarh?
On paper, Chandigarh earns 17% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Dehradun vs Chandigarh?
Rent for a central apartment: $181 in Dehradun versus $174 in Chandigarh. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Dehradun vs Chandigarh?
A monthly transit pass in Dehradun runs roughly 62% less than in Chandigarh. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How do childcare costs compare in Dehradun and Chandigarh?
Childcare runs $66.3 in Dehradun versus $61.9 in Chandigarh. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Dehradun or Chandigarh?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Dehradun gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Dehradun or Chandigarh?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
How safe is Dehradun compared to Chandigarh?
Safety-wise, Dehradun and Chandigarh 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 Dehradun gentler on the wallet – expenses run 1% less than in Chandigarh. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.