Cost of Living Comparison Between Surat and DehradunCost of Living Comparison Between Surat and Dehradun
Monthly Cost of Living
😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $888 in Surat versus $450 in Dehradun.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $942 in Surat versus $826 in Dehradun.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $996 in Surat versus $1,203 in Dehradun.
😐Living in Surat is roughly 98% more expensive than Dehradun, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Surat34% lower, Dehradun66% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Surat
Dehradun
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.58₹341
$2.40₹228
49.17%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.41₹1,087
$9.47₹902
20.49%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.42₹326
$3.98₹379
-14.07%
Cappuccino
$1.74₹166
$1.85₹177
-5.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40₹37.82
$0.43₹41.16
-6.98%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.20₹19.44
$0.18₹17.22
11.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.13₹298
$2.01₹191
55.72%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.95₹377
$2.95₹281
33.90%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Surat
Dehradun
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.73₹69.6
$0.73₹69.9
-
White Bread(500g)
$0.53₹50.3
$0.45₹43.02
17.78%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.67₹64.3
$0.72₹68.9
-6.94%
Eggs
$1.03₹98.0
$0.91₹86.3
13.19%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.13₹489
$4.87₹464
5.34%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.11₹296
$3.65₹348
-14.79%
Apples(1kg)
$1.43₹137
$1.90₹181
-24.74%
Banana(1kg)
$0.64₹61.1
$0.69₹66.1
-7.25%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.95₹90.8
$0.76₹72.8
25.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.61₹58.1
$0.59₹55.8
3.39%
Potato(1kg)
$0.36₹34.22
$0.37₹35.36
-2.70%
Onion(1kg)
$0.44₹41.69
$0.44₹42.27
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.60₹56.9
$0.55₹52.8
9.09%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.35₹32.92
$0.34₹32.71
2.94%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.86₹368
$4.44₹423
-13.06%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.56₹720
$10.17₹969
-25.66%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.57₹245
$1.72₹164
49.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.01₹382
$2.22₹212
80.63%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
$8.42₹802
$5.80₹552
45.17%
🚌 Getting Around
Surat
Dehradun
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.24₹22.86
$0.28₹26.66
-14.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$5.65₹538
$13.75₹1,310
-58.91%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.97₹92.7
$0.77₹73.7
25.97%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$0.22₹20.93
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.18₹113
$2.06₹197
-42.72%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.13₹108
$1.16₹110
-2.59%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$11.6K₹1.1M
$12.8K₹1.2M
-9.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.5K₹2.0M
$20.3K₹1.9M
5.61%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Surat
Dehradun
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$38.31₹3,649
$41.83₹3,984
-8.42%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.37₹321
$3.66₹349
-7.92%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.72₹736
$7.51₹716
2.80%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Surat
Dehradun
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$17.76₹1,691
$16.53₹1,574
7.44%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.74₹642
$11.04₹1,052
-38.95%
Cinema Ticket
$2.90₹276
$5.40₹514
-46.30%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Surat
Dehradun
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$48.91₹4,659
$66.3₹6,316
-26.23%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,294₹123.2K
$1,116₹106.3K
15.92%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Surat
Dehradun
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$24.00₹2,286
$22.07₹2,102
8.74%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.62₹2,345
$28.14₹2,680
-12.51%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$42.46₹4,045
$47.15₹4,491
-9.95%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$42.48₹4,047
$42.43₹4,042
0.12%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Surat
Dehradun
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$241₹23.0K
$181₹17.3K
33.14%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$557₹53.1K
$107₹10.2K
418.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$506₹48.2K
$410₹39.1K
23.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$275₹26.2K
$480₹45.7K
-42.73%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$693₹66.1K
$737₹70.2K
-5.95%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$306₹29.2K
$458₹43.6K
-33.16%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Surat
Dehradun
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$327₹31.2K
$373₹35.5K
-12.24%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.2
8.25
11.52%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Surat: June 1, 2026
Last update for Dehradun: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $241 in Surat and $181 in Dehradun. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Dehradun pays 14% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $11.00 in Surat vs $9.00 in Dehradun. Groceries flip the comparison at $113 vs $113, with Surat cheaper for home cooking.
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
Surat vs Dehradun: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dehradun cheaper than Surat?
Dehradun is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out. The 98% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Surat or Dehradun?
On paper, Dehradun earns 14% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Surat and Dehradun?
Rent for a central apartment: $241 in Surat versus $181 in Dehradun. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Surat and Dehradun?
Supermarket bills run roughly 0% higher in Surat. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is eating out cheaper in Surat or Dehradun?
Dining out is cheaper in Dehradun – a meal for two runs $9.00 versus $11.00 in Surat. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,000 enough for either Surat or Dehradun?
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.
Is it better to live in Surat or Dehradun?
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.
Which city is safer, Surat or Dehradun?
Safety-wise, Surat and Dehradun 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Dehradun gentler on the wallet – expenses run 98% less than in Surat. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.