Cost of Living Comparison Calculator
Compare living costs between Indian cities and global destinations
Current City
Comparison City
Comparison Results
Cost Breakdown Comparison
Housing 35%
Food & Groceries 25%
Transportation 15%
Utilities 10%
Understanding Cost of Living Comparisons
Why Compare Cities?
Cost of living varies significantly between cities. A salary that provides a comfortable lifestyle in one city might only cover basic expenses in another. Comparing helps with relocation decisions, job negotiations, and financial planning.
Indian City Tiers
Indian cities are categorized into tiers based on development. Metro cities (Tier 1) have higher costs but more opportunities. Tier 2 cities offer lower costs with growing infrastructure and job markets. Tier 3 cities are emerging hubs with the lowest costs.
International Comparisons
When comparing Indian cities with international destinations, consider currency exchange rates, tax differences, and lifestyle variations. Some costs (like healthcare and education) may be structured differently.
Family Size Impact
Cost of living increases with family size, especially for housing, education, and healthcare. A single person might spend 25-30% of income on rent, while a family might spend 35-45%.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mumbai remains the most expensive Indian city in 2025, with cost of living approximately 15-20% higher than Delhi and 25-30% higher than Bangalore. The high costs are primarily driven by real estate prices and transportation expenses.
In 2025, you would need about 10-15% higher salary in Bangalore compared to Pune to maintain a similar lifestyle. The main difference comes from higher rental costs in Bangalore, which can be 20-25% more expensive for comparable accommodation.
Yes, tier-2 cities typically have 20-35% lower costs than metro cities, and tier-3 cities can be 35-50% cheaper. Housing costs are significantly lower, and daily expenses like transportation and eating out are more affordable. However, salary levels may also be lower in these cities.
Indian cities remain significantly more affordable than major international cities. For example, Mumbai is about 70-75% cheaper than New York, and Delhi is about 75-80% cheaper than London in 2025. However, when comparing purchasing power parity, the gap narrows for locally produced goods and services.
Financial advisors typically recommend spending no more than 30% of your gross income on housing. In expensive Indian metros like Mumbai, this can be challenging, with many people spending 35-45% of their income on rent in 2025 due to rising real estate costs.