Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Hyderabad and Lucknow

For one person, living is cheaper in Lucknow: $396 a month against $491 in Hyderabad, rent and utilities included – about $1,100 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Hyderabad, India
Lucknow, India
Hyderabad
🇮🇳 India
$491
/mo nomad
Lucknow
🇮🇳 India
$396
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Hyderabad and in Lucknow

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Hyderabad and in Lucknow actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $491 per month in Hyderabad vs $396 in Lucknow, rent included.

  • Hyderabad $491
  • Lucknow $396

A couple spends around $809 per month in Hyderabad vs $621 in Lucknow, rent included.

  • Hyderabad $809
  • Lucknow $621

A family of three spends $1,127 per month in Hyderabad vs $846 in Lucknow, rent included.

  • Hyderabad $1,127
  • Lucknow $846

Hyderabad costs about 24% more than Lucknow, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Hyderabad and Lucknow are more affordable than the global median – Hyderabad 64% lower, Lucknow 71% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hyderabad
Lucknow
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.58 ₹245
$1.86 ₹176
38.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$15.95 ₹1,515
$10.62 ₹1,009
50.19%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.10 ₹484
$3.23 ₹307
57.89%
Cappuccino
$2.27 ₹216
$1.57 ₹149
44.59%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45 ₹42.44
$0.44 ₹41.97
2.27%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.15 ₹14.09
$0.13 ₹12.29
15.38%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.12 ₹201
$1.56 ₹148
35.90%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.29 ₹407
$2.26 ₹214
89.82%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hyderabad
Lucknow
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.83 ₹79.0
$0.70 ₹66.6
18.57%
White Bread (500g)
$0.58 ₹55.5
$0.47 ₹44.92
23.40%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.70 ₹66.1
$0.59 ₹55.9
18.64%
Eggs
$0.99 ₹94.3
$1.02 ₹96.4
-2.94%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.10 ₹674
$3.32 ₹315
113.86%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.38 ₹321
$2.51 ₹239
34.66%
Apples (1kg)
$2.34 ₹222
$1.79 ₹170
30.73%
Banana (1kg)
$0.68 ₹65.0
$0.66 ₹63.1
3.03%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.14 ₹109
$0.96 ₹91.0
18.75%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.44 ₹42.05
$0.47 ₹44.75
-6.38%
Potato (1kg)
$0.43 ₹40.36
$0.30 ₹28.11
43.33%
Onion (1kg)
$0.39 ₹37.47
$0.42 ₹39.45
-7.14%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.51 ₹48.66
$0.42 ₹39.88
21.43%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.32 ₹30.82
$0.30 ₹28.36
6.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.18 ₹492
$4.90 ₹465
5.71%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.37 ₹795
$8.57 ₹814
-2.33%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.82 ₹173
$1.66 ₹158
9.64%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.72 ₹259
$2.63 ₹249
3.42%
Buffalo Round (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) (1kg)
$6.16 ₹584
$5.72 ₹543
7.69%
🚌 Getting Around
Hyderabad
Lucknow
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.54 ₹51.4
$0.43 ₹41.10
25.58%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$14.95 ₹1,419
$9.07 ₹861
64.83%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.92 ₹87.0
$0.98 ₹93.4
-6.12%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.55 ₹52.1
$0.20 ₹18.95
175.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.19 ₹113
$1.14 ₹108
4.39%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.12 ₹106
$1.14 ₹108
-1.75%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$11.4K ₹1.1M
$11.1K ₹1.1M
2.48%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.7K ₹2.2M
$22.0K ₹2.1M
3.11%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hyderabad
Lucknow
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$35.06 ₹3,329
$54.2 ₹5,149
-35.35%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.30 ₹408
$3.74 ₹356
14.97%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.89 ₹749
$8.66 ₹822
-8.89%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hyderabad
Lucknow
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$24.12 ₹2,290
$15.88 ₹1,508
51.89%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.43 ₹706
$6.69 ₹635
11.06%
Cinema Ticket
$3.07 ₹291
$3.20 ₹304
-4.06%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hyderabad
Lucknow
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$145 ₹13.8K
$38.90 ₹3,693
273.32%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,836 ₹269.2K
$979 ₹92.9K
189.68%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hyderabad
Lucknow
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$21.57 ₹2,049
$23.41 ₹2,223
-7.86%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$21.03 ₹1,997
$25.07 ₹2,381
-16.11%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$42.00 ₹3,988
$38.75 ₹3,679
8.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$34.78 ₹3,303
$25.60 ₹2,431
35.86%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hyderabad
Lucknow
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$231 ₹21.9K
$133 ₹12.6K
74.02%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$133 ₹12.6K
$87.7 ₹8,324
51.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$624 ₹59.3K
$356 ₹33.8K
75.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$339 ₹32.2K
$212 ₹20.1K
59.86%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,354 ₹128.5K
$1,124 ₹106.7K
20.46%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$776 ₹73.7K
$606 ₹57.5K
28.12%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hyderabad
Lucknow
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,260 ₹119.6K
$331 ₹31.5K
280.32%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.55
8.53
0.23%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Hyderabad: October 25, 2026

Last update for Lucknow: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Hyderabad
$133
Lucknow
$88 34.1% $45
Groceries & Markets
Hyderabad
$121
Lucknow
$98 19.4% $23
Eating Out
Hyderabad
$85
Lucknow
$58 31.5% $27
Clothing & Footwear
Hyderabad
$54
Lucknow
$51 5.5% $2.9
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hyderabad
$47
Lucknow
$67 41% $19
Sport & Entertainment
Hyderabad
$30
Lucknow
$22 26.4% $8
Getting Around
Hyderabad
$21
Lucknow
$13 38.5% $8

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $231 in Hyderabad versus $133 in Lucknow. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Hyderabad are about 3.8 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $16 in Hyderabad versus $11 in Lucknow. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $121 vs $98 – making Lucknow the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇮🇳 Hyderabad
🇮🇳 Lucknow
🕒 Local time
02:44 2:44 AM
02:44 2:44 AM
Same time as Hyderabad
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
6,809,970
4,588,455
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to INR – Indian Rupee Converter

Indian Rupee exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 USD = 94.95 INR (100 INR = 1.05 USD). 1 EUR = 106 INR (1,000 INR = 9.43 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Hyderabad Lucknow 1,080 km ≈ 1 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Hyderabad
  • Lucknow

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Hyderabad vs Lucknow: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Hyderabad or Lucknow?
Hyderabad costs about 24% more than Lucknow, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from eating out. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Hyderabad and in Lucknow?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $736 per month in Hyderabad and $594 in Lucknow. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Hyderabad or Lucknow?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Lucknow, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $133 there versus $231 in Hyderabad.
How expensive is transport in Hyderabad compared to Lucknow?
Public transport costs about 39% less in Lucknow. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How do childcare costs compare in Hyderabad and in Lucknow?
Kindergarten costs $145 per month in Hyderabad and $39 in Lucknow. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Hyderabad or in Lucknow?
$1,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $491 in Hyderabad and $396 in Lucknow, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Lucknow – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Should I move to Hyderabad or to Lucknow?
If budget matters most, go with Lucknow. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Hyderabad makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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