😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $764 in Mumbai (Bombay) versus $399 in Indore.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,282 in Mumbai (Bombay) versus $656 in Indore.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,801 in Mumbai (Bombay) versus $914 in Indore.
🌍Living in Mumbai (Bombay) is roughly 92% more expensive than in Indore, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Mumbai (Bombay)44% lower, Indore71% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mumbai (Bombay)
Indore
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.16₹494
$2.10₹201
145.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$21.27₹2,036
$15.80₹1,512
34.62%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.15₹397
$3.11₹298
33.44%
Cappuccino
$2.80₹268
$1.41₹135
98.58%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.39₹37.79
$0.40₹38.26
-2.50%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.12₹11.50
$0.22₹20.68
-45.45%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.65₹254
$1.75₹167
51.43%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.20₹402
$3.04₹291
38.16%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mumbai (Bombay)
Indore
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.74₹71.3
$0.64₹60.9
15.62%
White Bread(500g)
$0.53₹51.0
$0.44₹41.70
20.45%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.72₹68.8
$0.67₹64.4
7.46%
Eggs
$1.01₹96.6
$0.94₹89.7
7.45%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.64₹540
$4.77₹457
18.24%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.55₹339
$2.55₹244
39.22%
Apples(1kg)
$2.24₹214
$1.75₹168
28.00%
Banana(1kg)
$0.76₹72.4
$0.59₹56.9
28.81%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.28₹122
$0.95₹90.7
34.74%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.53₹50.4
$0.44₹42.45
20.45%
Potato(1kg)
$0.34₹32.94
$0.32₹30.33
6.25%
Onion(1kg)
$0.38₹36.76
$0.40₹38.57
-5.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.47₹44.64
$0.51₹48.86
-7.84%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.28₹26.39
$0.32₹30.77
-12.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.88₹467
$4.99₹478
-2.20%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.60₹823
$7.56₹723
13.76%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.07₹198
$1.94₹186
6.70%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.99₹286
$3.29₹315
-9.12%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
$6.20₹594
$4.79₹458
29.44%
🚌 Getting Around
Mumbai (Bombay)
Indore
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.22₹21.09
$0.20₹19.13
10.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$5.45₹522
$5.34₹511
2.06%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.30₹28.40
$0.50₹48.30
-40.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.30₹28.53
$0.30₹28.61
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.61₹154
$1.06₹102
51.89%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.12₹108
$1.14₹109
-1.75%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$16.1K₹1.5M
$15.4K₹1.5M
4.46%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.2K₹2.1M
$16.9K₹1.6M
31.11%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mumbai (Bombay)
Indore
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$60.8₹5,817
$35.22₹3,371
72.60%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.52₹432
$4.12₹394
9.71%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.53₹912
$8.08₹774
17.95%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mumbai (Bombay)
Indore
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.53₹2,443
$23.81₹2,278
7.22%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.83₹1,324
$6.99₹668
97.85%
Cinema Ticket
$4.40₹421
$3.96₹379
11.11%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mumbai (Bombay)
Indore
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$117₹11.1K
$39.02₹3,734
198.59%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,091₹487.2K
$1,789₹171.2K
184.55%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mumbai (Bombay)
Indore
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$34.87₹3,337
$23.85₹2,282
46.21%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.49₹3,588
$37.05₹3,545
1.19%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$59.0₹5,647
$54.5₹5,218
8.24%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$45.82₹4,384
$35.85₹3,431
27.81%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mumbai (Bombay)
Indore
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$657₹62.8K
$158₹15.1K
315.82%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$349₹33.4K
$88.3₹8,451
295.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,922₹183.9K
$346₹33.1K
456.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$852₹81.5K
$198₹18.9K
330.72%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$6,138₹587.4K
$1,287₹123.1K
377.09%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,470₹236.4K
$558₹53.4K
342.86%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mumbai (Bombay)
Indore
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$788₹75.4K
$352₹33.7K
123.93%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.45
9.7
-12.89%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mumbai (Bombay): August 17, 2026
Last update for Indore: August 18, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $657 in Mumbai (Bombay) and $158 in Indore. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Mumbai (Bombay) pays 124% 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: $21.00 in Mumbai (Bombay) vs $16.00 in Indore for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $118 vs $102 per month, with Indore 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
Mumbai (Bombay) vs Indore: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mumbai (Bombay) and in Indore?
Mumbai (Bombay) and Indore differ by about 92% in total monthly costs ($764 vs $399 including rent). Indore is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Mumbai (Bombay) or Indore?
Average pay runs 124% higher in Mumbai (Bombay), which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Mumbai (Bombay) and in Indore?
Rent for a central apartment: $657 in Mumbai (Bombay) versus $158 in Indore. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Mumbai (Bombay) or Indore?
All in, you'll spend $764 per month in Mumbai (Bombay) versus $399 in Indore – a 92% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Mumbai (Bombay) and in Indore?
A monthly transit pass in Indore runs roughly 2% less than in Mumbai (Bombay). Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $399 in Indore versus $764 in Mumbai (Bombay), a $2,000 budget is realistic in Indore but tight or insufficient in Mumbai (Bombay). The gap between the two cities makes Indore the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Mumbai (Bombay) and Indore?
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.
Is Mumbai (Bombay) or Indore safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Mumbai (Bombay) and Indore are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Mumbai (Bombay) or Indore?
Expats usually find Indore gentler on the wallet – expenses run 92% less than in Mumbai (Bombay). Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Mumbai (Bombay) vs other spots: cost of living compared