🇵🇰 Pakistan
22
Cost of Living Index in Pakistan
Learn more Cost of Living in India - Updated Prices & Insights
22
Cost of Living Index in India
Learn more Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $291 (excluding rent), and $442 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $688 (excluding rent), and $999 including rent.
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.60 ₹240
$1.18 ₹109
$5.90 ₹544
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$13.91 ₹1,282
$8.11 ₹748
$34.76 ₹3,205
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.17 ₹385
$3.57 ₹329
$5.96 ₹549
Cappuccino
$1.84 ₹169
$0.57 ₹52.8
$4.02 ₹371
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.44 ₹40.29
$0.24 ₹22.06
$0.60 ₹55.6
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.17 ₹15.44
$0.12 ₹10.90
$0.23 ₹20.89
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.96 ₹180
$1.15 ₹106
$4.02 ₹371
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.50 ₹323
$2.34 ₹216
$5.83 ₹538
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.73 ₹67.7
$0.55 ₹50.3
$0.92 ₹85.1
White Bread (500g)
$0.48 ₹44.27
$0.28 ₹25.68
$0.78 ₹71.7
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.72 ₹66.1
$0.48 ₹44.41
$1.19 ₹110
Eggs
$0.94 ₹86.9
$0.69 ₹63.4
$1.37 ₹127
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.23 ₹482
$2.53 ₹233
$11.49 ₹1,060
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.12 ₹287
$1.73 ₹160
$5.11 ₹471
Apples (1kg)
$2.19 ₹202
$0.95 ₹87.4
$3.56 ₹328
Banana (1kg)
$0.75 ₹68.8
$0.48 ₹44.32
$1.43 ₹132
Oranges (1kg)
$1.10 ₹101
$0.48 ₹44.39
$2.39 ₹220
Tomato (1kg)
$0.57 ₹52.7
$0.24 ₹22.05
$0.97 ₹89.2
Potato (1kg)
$0.42 ₹38.88
$0.24 ₹21.81
$0.60 ₹55.0
Onion (1kg)
$0.45 ₹41.52
$0.22 ₹20.32
$0.73 ₹67.1
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.55 ₹50.4
$0.24 ₹21.86
$1.20 ₹110
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.33 ₹30.42
$0.22 ₹20.58
$0.40 ₹36.68
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.13 ₹381
$2.95 ₹272
$4.72 ₹435
Wine (Bottle)
$7.66 ₹706
$3.28 ₹302
$16.40 ₹1,512
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83 ₹168
$1.14 ₹105
$2.86 ₹263
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90 ₹267
$1.70 ₹157
$4.54 ₹419
Buffalo Round (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) (1kg)
$5.74 ₹529
$2.32 ₹214
$9.85 ₹909
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.37 ₹33.67
$0.18 ₹16.35
$0.73 ₹67.3
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$10.00 ₹922
$2.94 ₹271
$23.53 ₹2,169
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.92 ₹84.6
$0.35 ₹31.83
$1.72 ₹158
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.28 ₹25.78
$0.16 ₹15.11
$0.55 ₹50.7
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.77 ₹163
$1.18 ₹109
$2.49 ₹229
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.17 ₹108
$1.09 ₹101
$1.25 ₹115
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$13.8K ₹1.3M
$11.5K ₹1.1M
$19.6K ₹1.8M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.8K ₹2.1M
$18.8K ₹1.7M
$29.4K ₹2.7M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$41.02 ₹3,782
$23.66 ₹2,181
$89.1 ₹8,218
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.88 ₹357
$2.36 ₹218
$7.08 ₹653
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.71 ₹711
$5.66 ₹522
$11.33 ₹1,044
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$16.54 ₹1,525
$5.92 ₹546
$35.57 ₹3,279
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.91 ₹729
$3.59 ₹331
$12.37 ₹1,141
Cinema Ticket
$3.41 ₹314
$2.28 ₹210
$5.68 ₹524
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$70.7 ₹6,522
$29.63 ₹2,731
$178 ₹16.4K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,845 ₹170.1K
$849 ₹78.2K
$5,149 ₹474.8K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$24.96 ₹2,301
$11.42 ₹1,053
$45.73 ₹4,216
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.09 ₹2,498
$11.80 ₹1,088
$47.22 ₹4,353
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$46.21 ₹4,261
$23.59 ₹2,175
$82.6 ₹7,612
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$33.03 ₹3,045
$17.37 ₹1,601
$57.9 ₹5,339
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$175 ₹16.2K
$92.7 ₹8,550
$696 ₹64.2K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$113 ₹10.4K
$58.4 ₹5,386
$558 ₹51.5K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$403 ₹37.2K
$207 ₹19.1K
$1,795 ₹165.5K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$258 ₹23.8K
$139 ₹12.8K
$834 ₹76.9K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,308 ₹120.6K
$671 ₹61.9K
$6,969 ₹642.6K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$659 ₹60.7K
$404 ₹37.2K
$2,539 ₹234.1K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$457 ₹42.1K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
9.02
7
12
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: March 1, 2026
By City in India
Lowest
Highest
| Rank | City | Population | Living Index | Solo costs (no rent) / month | Solo costs (with rent) / month | Family of 3 costs (no rent) / month | Family of 3 costs (with rent) / month | Mobile download speed (Mbps) | Internet download speed (Mbps) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 145238 | 19 | $296 | $380 | $649 | $844 | 97.9 | 41.4 | |
| 2 | 184625 | 22 | $315 | $447 | $711 | $983 | 101.38 | 37.79 | |
| 3 | 400000 | 19 | $324 | $380 | $698 | $793 | 131.41 | 37.41 | |
| 4 | 1500000 | 20 | $287 | $400 | $696 | $830 | 101.23 | 53.34 | |
| 5 | 6352254 | 26 | $345 | $518 | $790 | $1,101 | 122.16 | 64.37 | |
| 6 | 350859 | 22 | $276 | $437 | $662 | $890 | 33.36 | 47.51 | |
| 7 | 291822 | 18 | $262 | $369 | $662 | $846 | 29.66 | 59.73 | |
| 8 | 542600 | 17 | $263 | $334 | $469 | $715 | 30.38 | 61.65 | |
| 9 | 425800 | 18 | $259 | $364 | $514 | $749 | 110.49 | 38.22 | |
| 10 | 177000 | 17 | $280 | $332 | $651 | $743 | 75.43 | 44.31 | |
| 11 | 872575 | 19 | $271 | $374 | $635 | $753 | 164.24 | 39 | |
| 12 | 5959798 | 17 | $201 | $345 | $561 | $751 | 229.32 | 58.74 | |
| 13 | 260000 | 19 | $244 | $370 | $571 | $752 | 263.8 | 59.83 | |
| 14 | 196000 | 20 | $238 | $406 | $667 | $865 | 18.28 | 60.52 | |
| 15 | 647000 | 18 | $257 | $349 | $658 | $780 | 166.06 | 41.56 | |
| 16 | 1132761 | 19 | $340 | $381 | $680 | $807 | 110.38 | 58.01 | |
| 17 | 198200 | 17 | $260 | $346 | $511 | $749 | 140.02 | 42.47 | |
| 18 | 267161 | 18 | $260 | $351 | $626 | $755 | 14.54 | 53.22 | |
| 19 | - | 20 | $293 | $398 | $618 | $861 | 42.55 | 45.24 | |
| 20 | - | 17 | $202 | $328 | $530 | $715 | 180.82 | 34.68 | |
| 21 | 60600 | 18 | $249 | $360 | $631 | $784 | 499.63 | 39.07 | |
| 22 | 500000 | 19 | $320 | $374 | $559 | $861 | 51.93 | 50.34 | |
| 23 | 1175116 | 19 | $268 | $381 | $630 | $827 | 266.87 | 57.36 | |
| 24 | 111000 | 18 | $260 | $372 | $483 | $795 | 45.18 | 35.02 | |
| 25 | - | 19 | $293 | $392 | $684 | $828 | 51.53 | 33 | |
| 26 | - | 19 | $284 | $393 | $607 | $816 | 23.43 | 52.25 | |
| 27 | - | 24 | $315 | $477 | $715 | $1,025 | 23.25 | 29.3 | |
| 28 | - | 29 | $351 | $574 | $819 | $1,345 | 24.12 | 125.22 | |
| 29 | 137400 | 19 | $264 | $373 | $589 | $770 | 305.5 | 38.09 | |
| 30 | 58053 | 19 | $283 | $392 | $625 | $840 | 181.59 | 29.78 | |
| 31 | 103700 | 19 | $260 | $384 | $577 | $840 | 140.79 | 61.6 | |
| 32 | 898167 | 19 | $224 | $372 | $513 | $774 | 23.67 | 39.91 | |
| 33 | 285813 | 19 | $220 | $374 | $658 | $851 | 50.99 | 69.72 | |
| 34 | 250000 | 14 | $230 | $288 | $575 | $723 | 101.89 | 35.8 | |
| 35 | 600000 | 18 | $219 | $362 | $631 | $841 | 315.06 | 40.39 | |
| 36 | 475000 | 22 | $377 | $440 | $678 | $981 | 115 | 51.29 | |
| 37 | - | 18 | $241 | $359 | $499 | $738 | 171.76 | 37.05 | |
| 38 | 410000 | 16 | $221 | $314 | $506 | $701 | 135.45 | 40.1 | |
| 39 | 169000 | 25 | $246 | $497 | $495 | $863 | 104.02 | 50.67 | |
| 40 | 593768 | 18 | $260 | $352 | $609 | $759 | 154.53 | 39.51 | |
| 41 | - | 15 | $243 | $304 | $479 | $716 | 114.48 | 51.68 | |
| 42 | 142184 | 19 | $311 | $392 | $651 | $853 | 138.9 | 37.63 | |
| 43 | 104900 | 17 | $272 | $344 | $649 | $847 | 129.6 | 77.61 | |
| 44 | 1800000 | 20 | $286 | $391 | $662 | $824 | 109.25 | 47.45 | |
| 45 | 100000 | 20 | $287 | $402 | $657 | $890 | 152.64 | 71.84 | |
| 46 | 143200 | 18 | $279 | $347 | $693 | $891 | 67.91 | 40.83 | |
| 47 | - | 19 | $276 | $380 | $581 | $849 | 346.15 | 41.25 | |
| 48 | 330000 | 18 | $275 | $365 | $582 | $820 | 119.32 | 27.76 | |
| 49 | 647804 | 16 | $236 | $318 | $635 | $744 | 148.72 | 51.65 | |
| 50 | 115000 | 19 | $267 | $370 | $566 | $842 | 18.74 | 36.72 |
India Median Internet Speeds (Updated January 2026)
Mobile
Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
Fixed Broadband
Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Cost of Living in India - Frequently Asked Questions
How does India compare in terms of overall affordability for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and who tends to get good value?
India offers a broad price spectrum, so travelers, expats, and digital nomads can find solid value by choosing city and lifestyle carefully. Cost of Living in India is notably lower in many smaller cities and towns, while major metros like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, or Chennai can feel pricier, especially for premium housing or imported goods. You’ll win value by leaning into local markets, shared or long-stay housing, and seasonal travel between regions to tame swings. Transport is often economical when you favor trains, buses, and affordable metro options; food stays affordable when you cook at home or opt for street meals with common-sense hygiene. Tip: map your needs to a couple of neighborhoods and test stay durations before committing.
What does daily life look like for housing, food, transport, and errands for a nomad in India?
Daily life centers on choosing a home base that fits your work rhythm and budget. Housing options range from serviced apartments to coworking-friendly flats; in metro areas you may find shorter lease terms that suit travel plans. Food options span neighborhood markets, home cooking, and diverse street bites, with costs varying by district. For transport, trains and metros cover long distances affordably, while ride-hailing and bikes offer flexibility in busy corridors; errands are streamlined in well-connected neighborhoods. India living cost fluctuates with location and season, so you benefit from consolidating tasks to nearby amenities and negotiating longer stays. Tip: start with a one-month stay in a few neighborhoods to feel out routines before committing long-term.
How can you assess quality of life and budget effectively, with seasonality and neighborhood fit in mind?
Quality of life in India varies by city, season, and community. Create a simple budgeting framework: base rent, utilities, transportation, and flexible costs for activities; keep a buffer for seasonal travel and monsoon-related adjustments. Seasonality can shift prices in tourist hubs and festival periods, so plan ahead. For neighborhood fit, prioritize access to transit hubs, safe streets, coworking spaces, and expat networks; test different areas during workdays and weekends. Consider long-tail cost-saving tactics such as shared housing, local SIM plans, and kitchen-friendly accommodations. Tip: use a city-by-city checklist to compare neighborhoods on commute, safety, and amenities before settling in.
India vs other spots: cost of living compared
Similar countries
🇳🇵 Nepal
22
Cost of Living Index in Nepal
Learn more 
🇱🇾 Libya
22
Cost of Living Index in Libya
Learn more