Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Kollam and Mumbai (Bombay)

For one person, living is cheaper in Kollam: $284 a month against $813 in Mumbai (Bombay), rent and utilities included – about $6,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Kollam, India
Mumbai (Bombay), India
Kollam
🇮🇳 India
$284
/mo nomad
Mumbai (Bombay)
🇮🇳 India
$813
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Kollam and in Mumbai (Bombay)

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

A single person spends $284 per month in Kollam vs $813 in Mumbai (Bombay), rent included.

  • Kollam $284
  • Mumbai (Bombay) $813

A couple spends around $446 per month in Kollam vs $1,352 in Mumbai (Bombay), rent included.

  • Kollam $446
  • Mumbai (Bombay) $1,352

A family of three spends $609 per month in Kollam vs $1,891 in Mumbai (Bombay), rent included.

  • Kollam $609
  • Mumbai (Bombay) $1,891

Kollam is about 65% cheaper than Mumbai (Bombay), and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Kollam and Mumbai (Bombay) are more affordable than the global median – Kollam 79% lower, Mumbai (Bombay) 40% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kollam
Mumbai (Bombay)
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.03 ₹97.5
$5.35 ₹508
-80.75%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$6.14 ₹583
$20.87 ₹1,982
-70.58%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.23 ₹307
$4.08 ₹387
-20.83%
Cappuccino
$1.37 ₹130
$2.78 ₹264
-50.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.34 ₹31.99
$0.40 ₹38.24
-15.00%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.12 ₹11.54
$0.15 ₹14.42
-20.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.33 ₹126
$2.64 ₹251
-49.62%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86 ₹177
$4.25 ₹404
-56.24%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kollam
Mumbai (Bombay)
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.60 ₹57.4
$0.74 ₹70.5
-18.92%
White Bread (500g)
$0.48 ₹45.65
$0.54 ₹51.3
-11.11%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.51 ₹47.98
$0.78 ₹74.1
-34.62%
Eggs
$0.78 ₹74.1
$1.00 ₹95.1
-22.00%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$3.59 ₹341
$5.61 ₹533
-36.01%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.13 ₹203
$3.58 ₹340
-40.50%
Apples (1kg)
$1.57 ₹149
$2.17 ₹206
-27.65%
Banana (1kg)
$0.59 ₹56.2
$0.69 ₹65.8
-14.49%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.70 ₹66.1
$1.21 ₹114
-42.15%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.41 ₹38.63
$0.49 ₹46.33
-16.33%
Potato (1kg)
$0.35 ₹32.95
$0.33 ₹31.71
6.06%
Onion (1kg)
$0.35 ₹33.54
$0.37 ₹35.53
-5.41%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.61 ₹57.8
$0.44 ₹41.79
38.64%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.27 ₹25.68
$0.31 ₹29.64
-12.90%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.17 ₹491
$5.00 ₹475
3.40%
Wine (Bottle)
$2.70 ₹256
$8.34 ₹792
-67.63%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.05 ₹195
$1.99 ₹189
3.02%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.72 ₹258
$3.12 ₹296
-12.82%
Buffalo Round (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) (1kg)
$3.35 ₹318
$6.01 ₹570
-44.26%
🚌 Getting Around
Kollam
Mumbai (Bombay)
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.17 ₹15.88
$0.20 ₹18.95
-15.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$7.20 ₹684
$6.90 ₹655
4.35%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.81 ₹76.8
$0.31 ₹29.84
161.29%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.33 ₹31.56
$0.31 ₹29.41
6.45%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.05 ₹195
$1.61 ₹153
27.33%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.11 ₹106
$1.10 ₹105
0.91%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$9,035 ₹857.8K
$15.6K ₹1.5M
-42.06%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$16.6K ₹1.6M
$22.4K ₹2.1M
-25.88%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kollam
Mumbai (Bombay)
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$32.12 ₹3,050
$61.9 ₹5,873
-48.07%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.97 ₹282
$4.52 ₹429
-34.29%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$5.04 ₹479
$8.97 ₹852
-43.81%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kollam
Mumbai (Bombay)
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$13.44 ₹1,276
$37.11 ₹3,524
-63.78%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.44 ₹991
$14.11 ₹1,340
-26.01%
Cinema Ticket
$1.54 ₹146
$5.01 ₹476
-69.26%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kollam
Mumbai (Bombay)
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$21.19 ₹2,012
$119 ₹11.3K
-82.19%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,630 ₹249.7K
$4,948 ₹469.8K
-46.85%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kollam
Mumbai (Bombay)
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$16.30 ₹1,548
$36.37 ₹3,453
-55.18%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$23.34 ₹2,216
$38.71 ₹3,675
-39.71%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$25.49 ₹2,420
$54.7 ₹5,196
-53.43%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$24.42 ₹2,319
$48.03 ₹4,561
-49.16%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kollam
Mumbai (Bombay)
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$82.2 ₹7,801
$640 ₹60.7K
-87.16%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$47.79 ₹4,538
$372 ₹35.3K
-87.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$182 ₹17.3K
$2,093 ₹198.7K
-91.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$115 ₹10.9K
$925 ₹87.8K
-87.58%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$834 ₹79.2K
$5,706 ₹541.8K
-85.38%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$449 ₹42.6K
$2,560 ₹243.1K
-82.46%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kollam
Mumbai (Bombay)
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$525 ₹49.9K
$757 ₹71.9K
-30.59%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
9.13
8.29
10.13%

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

Last update for Kollam: October 25, 2026

Last update for Mumbai (Bombay): October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Groceries & Markets
Kollam
$82
Mumbai (Bombay)
$117 42.5% $35
Accommodation & Living
Kollam
$48
Mumbai (Bombay)
$372 678% $324
Eating Out
Kollam
$47
Mumbai (Bombay)
$112 141% $66
Clothing & Footwear
Kollam
$40
Mumbai (Bombay)
$80 98.6% $40
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kollam
$40
Mumbai (Bombay)
$75 87.7% $35
Sport & Entertainment
Kollam
$17
Mumbai (Bombay)
$47 185% $31
Getting Around
Kollam
$10
Mumbai (Bombay)
$9.6 7.5% $0.8

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $82 in Kollam versus $640 in Mumbai (Bombay). Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 44% higher in Mumbai (Bombay), which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $6 in Kollam versus $21 in Mumbai (Bombay). Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $82 vs $117 – making Kollam the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇮🇳 Kollam
🇮🇳 Mumbai (Bombay)
🕒 Local time
10:17 10:17 AM
10:17 10:17 AM
Same time as Kollam
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
367,107
12,442,373
💱 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
  • Kollam Mumbai (Bombay) 1,200 km ≈ 2 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Kollam
  • Mumbai (Bombay)

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
Kollam vs Mumbai (Bombay): Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Kollam or Mumbai (Bombay)?
Mumbai (Bombay) costs about 186% more than Kollam, 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 Kollam and in Mumbai (Bombay)?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $426 per month in Kollam and $1,220 in Mumbai (Bombay). That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Kollam or Mumbai (Bombay)?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kollam, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $82 there versus $640 in Mumbai (Bombay).
Are groceries more expensive in Kollam or in Mumbai (Bombay)?
Groceries cost about 43% more in Mumbai (Bombay), though the gap depends on what you buy.
How do dining costs compare in Kollam and in Mumbai (Bombay)?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $6 in Kollam and $21 in Mumbai (Bombay). That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Can you live on $800/month in Kollam or in Mumbai (Bombay)?
A $800 monthly budget goes further in Kollam, where all-in costs run around $284, than in Mumbai (Bombay) at $813. In Kollam it covers expenses comfortably, while in Mumbai (Bombay) it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Kollam – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Should I move to Kollam or to Mumbai (Bombay)?
If budget matters most, go with Kollam. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Mumbai (Bombay) makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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