Cost of Living Comparison Between Varkala and Bangalore Cost of Living Comparison Between Varkala and Bangalore

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $380 in Varkala versus $567 in Bangalore.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $612 in Varkala versus $958 in Bangalore.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $845 in Varkala versus $1,349 in Bangalore.

Living in Varkala costs roughly 33% less than in Bangalore, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Varkala 72% lower, Bangalore 58% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Varkala
Bangalore
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.37 ₹222
$3.48 ₹326
-31.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.56 ₹991
$17.26 ₹1,620
-38.82%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.65 ₹342
$4.14 ₹388
-11.84%
Cappuccino
$1.56 ₹147
$2.28 ₹214
-31.58%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.41 ₹38.09
$0.45 ₹42.50
-8.89%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.15 ₹13.82
$0.15 ₹13.72
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.70 ₹160
$2.27 ₹213
-25.11%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.15 ₹296
$4.08 ₹383
-22.79%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Varkala
Bangalore
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.71 ₹66.5
$0.64 ₹60.2
10.94%
White Bread (500g)
$0.49 ₹45.60
$0.62 ₹57.8
-20.97%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.71 ₹66.6
$0.82 ₹76.8
-13.41%
Eggs
$0.89 ₹83.5
$1.02 ₹95.6
-12.75%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.91 ₹461
$7.64 ₹717
-35.73%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.02 ₹283
$3.89 ₹365
-22.37%
Apples (1kg)
$2.06 ₹194
$2.62 ₹246
-21.37%
Banana (1kg)
$0.69 ₹65.1
$0.80 ₹74.7
-13.75%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.00 ₹93.5
$1.14 ₹107
-12.28%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.50 ₹46.48
$0.43 ₹40.63
16.28%
Potato (1kg)
$0.38 ₹35.73
$0.48 ₹44.58
-20.83%
Onion (1kg)
$0.45 ₹42.68
$0.53 ₹49.79
-15.09%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.49 ₹46.19
$0.44 ₹41.09
11.36%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.31 ₹29.52
$0.33 ₹30.65
-6.06%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.02 ₹377
$4.02 ₹377
-
Wine (Bottle)
$7.21 ₹677
$10.86 ₹1,019
-33.61%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78 ₹167
$2.17 ₹204
-17.97%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.79 ₹261
$3.24 ₹304
-13.89%
Buffalo Round (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) (1kg)
$5.58 ₹523
$7.56 ₹709
-26.19%
🚌 Getting Around
Varkala
Bangalore
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.30 ₹28.34
$0.55 ₹51.9
-45.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$8.64 ₹810
$14.78 ₹1,387
-41.54%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.78 ₹73.5
$1.19 ₹111
-34.45%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.27 ₹25.41
$0.36 ₹33.51
-25.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.44 ₹135
$2.39 ₹224
-39.75%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.17 ₹110
$1.22 ₹115
-4.10%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$13.9K ₹1.3M
$14.2K ₹1.3M
-2.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.1K ₹2.1M
$24.9K ₹2.3M
-11.18%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Varkala
Bangalore
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$38.30 ₹3,595
$35.01 ₹3,286
9.40%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.40 ₹320
$5.09 ₹478
-33.20%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.42 ₹696
$10.63 ₹997
-30.20%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Varkala
Bangalore
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$16.06 ₹1,507
$17.97 ₹1,687
-10.63%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.95 ₹652
$6.22 ₹584
11.74%
Cinema Ticket
$2.99 ₹281
$4.70 ₹441
-36.38%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Varkala
Bangalore
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$52.0 ₹4,876
$117 ₹11.0K
-55.55%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,554 ₹145.9K
$3,342 ₹313.7K
-53.50%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Varkala
Bangalore
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$24.28 ₹2,279
$27.65 ₹2,596
-12.19%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.62 ₹2,404
$30.30 ₹2,844
-15.45%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$42.26 ₹3,966
$53.5 ₹5,020
-20.99%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$30.19 ₹2,834
$40.37 ₹3,789
-25.22%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Varkala
Bangalore
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$126 ₹11.8K
$300 ₹28.2K
-58.14%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$74.7 ₹7,013
$180 ₹16.9K
-58.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$279 ₹26.2K
$844 ₹79.2K
-66.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$177 ₹16.6K
$476 ₹44.7K
-62.88%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,073 ₹100.7K
$1,797 ₹168.7K
-40.29%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$602 ₹56.5K
$924 ₹86.7K
-34.88%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Varkala
Bangalore
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$932 ₹87.5K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.67
9.19
-5.66%

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

Last update for Varkala: April 20, 2026

Last update for Bangalore: April 21, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $126 in Varkala and $300 in Bangalore. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $11 in Varkala vs $17 in Bangalore for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $106 vs $134 per month, with Varkala 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
Varkala vs Bangalore: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Varkala or Bangalore?
Varkala wins on cost – living expenses run 49% lower than in Bangalore. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Varkala the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Varkala vs Bangalore?
You'd need roughly $569 in Varkala and $851 in Bangalore to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Varkala vs Bangalore?
Rent for a central apartment: $126 in Varkala versus $300 in Bangalore. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Varkala vs Bangalore?
A monthly transit pass in Varkala runs roughly 71% less than in Bangalore. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How do childcare costs compare in Varkala and Bangalore?
Childcare runs $52.0 in Varkala versus $117 in Bangalore. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Can you live on $1,200/month in Varkala or Bangalore?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Varkala gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Varkala or Bangalore?
Both work as nomad bases, but Varkala delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $380 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Varkala hard to pass up.
How safe is Varkala compared to Bangalore?
Safety-wise, Varkala and Bangalore 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 Varkala gentler on the wallet – expenses run 49% less than in Bangalore. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Varkala vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities