Cost of Living in Surat - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $888 monthly including rent, or $300 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $942 with rent, or $513 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $996 including rent, or $725 for daily expenses alone.

Surat sits 34–65% below the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are 15% below average – relatively affordable for the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.58 ₹341
$1.19 ₹113
$5.96 ₹568
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.41 ₹1,087
$6.85 ₹653
$22.83 ₹2,174
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.42 ₹326
$2.85 ₹272
$5.70 ₹543
Cappuccino
$1.74 ₹166
$0.58 ₹54.9
$2.89 ₹275
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40 ₹37.82
$0.22 ₹21.22
$0.68 ₹64.6
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.20 ₹19.44
$0.14 ₹12.96
$0.33 ₹31.31
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.13 ₹298
$1.70 ₹162
$4.55 ₹433
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.95 ₹377
$3.39 ₹323
$6.78 ₹646
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$0.73 ₹69.6
$0.62 ₹59.5
$0.78 ₹74.2
White Bread (500g)
$0.53 ₹50.3
$0.34 ₹32.62
$1.25 ₹119
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.67 ₹64.3
$0.45 ₹42.55
$1.00 ₹95.1
Eggs
$1.03 ₹98.0
$0.86 ₹82.3
$1.44 ₹137
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.13 ₹489
$3.10 ₹295
$6.57 ₹626
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.11 ₹296
$1.96 ₹187
$4.03 ₹384
Apples (1kg)
$1.43 ₹137
$0.91 ₹86.5
$2.84 ₹271
Banana (1kg)
$0.64 ₹61.1
$0.49 ₹46.28
$1.20 ₹114
Oranges (1kg)
$0.95 ₹90.8
$0.49 ₹46.36
$1.33 ₹126
Tomato (1kg)
$0.61 ₹58.1
$0.33 ₹31.75
$1.10 ₹105
Potato (1kg)
$0.36 ₹34.22
$0.22 ₹21.27
$0.46 ₹43.46
Onion (1kg)
$0.44 ₹41.69
$0.24 ₹22.83
$0.60 ₹57.6
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.60 ₹56.9
$0.24 ₹22.95
$1.22 ₹116
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.35 ₹32.92
$0.24 ₹22.95
$0.49 ₹46.89
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.86 ₹368
$2.93 ₹279
$4.09 ₹390
Wine (Bottle)
$7.56 ₹720
$7.56 ₹720
$9.13 ₹870
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.57 ₹245
$0.91 ₹87.0
$3.43 ₹326
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.01 ₹382
$3.44 ₹328
$5.73 ₹545
Buffalo Round (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) (1kg)
$8.42 ₹802
$3.43 ₹326
$11.42 ₹1,088
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.24 ₹22.86
$0.13 ₹11.93
$0.61 ₹57.7
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$5.65 ₹538
$3.39 ₹323
$10.18 ₹969
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.97 ₹92.7
$0.37 ₹34.90
$1.82 ₹174
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.18 ₹113
$1.07 ₹102
$1.77 ₹169
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.13 ₹108
$1.07 ₹102
$1.18 ₹112
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$11.6K ₹1.1M
$9,272 ₹883.2K
$16.2K ₹1.5M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.5K ₹2.0M
$13.9K ₹1.3M
$25.5K ₹2.4M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$38.31 ₹3,649
$23.55 ₹2,244
$82.4 ₹7,853
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.37 ₹321
$2.46 ₹234
$4.13 ₹394
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.72 ₹736
$4.67 ₹445
$11.68 ₹1,113
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$17.76 ₹1,691
$5.76 ₹549
$28.84 ₹2,747
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.74 ₹642
$3.42 ₹326
$17.09 ₹1,627
Cinema Ticket
$2.90 ₹276
$2.32 ₹221
$4.05 ₹386
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$48.91 ₹4,659
$23.22 ₹2,212
$174 ₹16.6K
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,294 ₹123.2K
$815 ₹77.6K
$2,328 ₹221.8K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$24.00 ₹2,286
$11.59 ₹1,104
$34.76 ₹3,311
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.62 ₹2,345
$11.50 ₹1,095
$34.49 ₹3,285
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$42.46 ₹4,045
$17.37 ₹1,654
$92.7 ₹8,825
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$42.48 ₹4,047
$17.74 ₹1,690
$118 ₹11.3K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$241 ₹23.0K
$172 ₹16.4K
$344 ₹32.7K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$557 ₹53.1K
$327 ₹31.1K
$583 ₹55.5K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$506 ₹48.2K
$354 ₹33.7K
$1,613 ₹153.7K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$275 ₹26.2K
$139 ₹13.3K
$558 ₹53.1K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$693 ₹66.1K
$635 ₹60.5K
$904 ₹86.1K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$306 ₹29.2K
$286 ₹27.2K
$666 ₹63.4K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$327 ₹31.2K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
9.2
7.6
12

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

Last update: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $241 for a central one-bedroom, or $557 outside the center. At 74% of the average salary ($327), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $327, while typical expenses reach $888. The gap means tight budgeting for locals, though expats with foreign income can live comfortably.

Expect to spend about $113 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $11.00 for two – well below the Asian average of $35.00.

Public transport is priced at around $5.65 per month – among the cheapest in Asia (average $31.00).

Cost Highlights

Public transport monthly pass is cheaper than 96% of cities in Asia

Imported beer is more expensive than 95% of cities in Asia

1-bedroom apartment, outside city center is more expensive than 91% of cities in Asia

Surat Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
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Upload
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Latency
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The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Surat - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Surat affordable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and who tends to find it good value?
Cost of Living in Surat is approachable for many travelers and expats. The city offers a practical mix of affordable street meals, inexpensive local transport, and reasonably priced housing outside the core business zones. If you pace your stay and prioritize efficiency, your daily costs can stay predictable without sacrificing convenience. Choose non-touristy neighborhoods for rentals, buy produce at fresh markets, and lean toward short commutes with accessible transit options. For work or study, there are good-value coworking spaces and libraries that reduce overhead costs. Seasonal heat or rain can influence outdoor plans, but costs stay fairly steady. Tip: plan a monthly budget that clusters essentials and leisure separately.
What does daily life look like in Surat in terms of housing search, food options, transport, and co-working spots?
Finding a place to stay in Surat is doable with options from furnished rooms to longer rentals outside the city center. Start by checking local listings and visiting a few neighborhoods to judge noise, safety, and commute. Food options range from busy street stalls to mid-range eateries; cooking at home is a reliable money-saver. For transport, auto-rickshaws, buses, and ride-hailing apps cover most trips, while short hops are easy on foot or by bike. Co-working spaces are common near business hubs, often with flexible day passes. Surat living cost can be surprisingly efficient when you mix markets and affordable street eats. Tip: map a couple of go-to routes for daily trips.
What strategies help maximize quality of life in Surat, including budgeting, seasonality, and neighborhood fit?
Quality of life in Surat comes from a simple, repeatable budgeting approach and thoughtful area choice. Use a budgeting framework that tracks essentials (rent, utilities, groceries) separately from discretionary spend (eating out, transport) and adjusts with the seasons. Summers push cooling needs; monsoon months affect travel and outerwear decisions, so plan ahead with reliable gear and flexible transport options. Neighborhood fit matters: look for areas with markets, reliable Wi‑Fi, and easy access to parks or riverfront redevelopments. Build a short list of neighborhoods that balance commute, safety, and community feel, then test them on weekend strolls. Tip: negotiate rent or inclusions and keep a small buffer for surprises.
What makes Surat a budget-friendly city to live in?
Compared to most cities worldwide, Surat is just cheap – all-in costs average $888 monthly. Both housing and daily necessities sit below the international median, which explains its popularity with budget travelers, nomads, and locals on modest incomes.
How affordable is daily life in Surat?
Your money goes further in Surat than in most cities its size. Expect to spend roughly $888 per month with housing included – groceries, transport, and eating out are all priced well below what you'd pay in comparable urban centers.
Is the average income in Surat enough to cover living costs and save?
At $327 take-home, most residents in Surat can cover the $888 monthly cost of living. Those earning $1,332 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.
How much should I budget for housing in Surat?
Where you live in Surat makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $241; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $557. Overall, the market runs from $557 to $241 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
What does commuting cost in Surat?
A monthly transit pass in Surat goes for roughly $5.65, which is one of the lighter items on a monthly budget. Coverage across residential and business areas is solid, and most residents without a car rely on it daily.
What are kindergarten prices in Surat?
Childcare averages $48.91 monthly at a private kindergarten in Surat. For many families, this single cost rivals rent, so it's essential to factor in before making a move.
Is $1,000 enough to live comfortably in Surat?
$1,000 stretches far in Surat – all-in monthly costs average only $888. The surplus means you can build savings, travel a bit, and live above the local average without much effort.
Is Surat expat-friendly?
Expats in Surat enjoy low crime rates, coastal lifestyle, beach access, and monthly costs average around $888. The international crowd is active and welcoming, and practical stuff – bank accounts, apartment hunting, healthcare – is all manageable with some basic prep.
Is it possible to save on a local salary in Surat?
Monthly expenses in Surat run around $888, so putting money aside takes more than $1,332 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.
Can you backpack through Surat cheaply?
Budget travelers love Surat – low prices across accommodation, food, and transport make it one of the most backpacker-friendly cities around. Long-stay costs come to just $888 monthly; short-term visitors can get by on even less with hostels and local food.

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