Cost of Living in India: A Practical 2025 Guide

If you’re thinking about moving to India or just want to see if your current budget holds up, you’ve come to the right place. Below you’ll find real‑world numbers for the biggest expenses, plus a quick look at which cities let you stretch your money the farthest.

Major Expenses to Expect

First up, housing. In Tier‑1 metros like Mumbai or Delhi, a one‑bedroom apartment in a decent neighborhood runs about ₹25,000–₹45,000 a month. Smaller cities such as Jaipur or Kochi drop that range to ₹10,000–₹20,000. If you’re okay with sharing, a roommate setup can cut rent by half.

Food is the next big ticket. A typical Indian breakfast (tea, samosa, or poha) costs under ₹50, while a lunch at a mid‑range restaurant is around ₹150–₹250. Cooking at home saves a lot; a weekly grocery bill for a single person usually sits between ₹1,200 and ₹2,000.

Transport varies by city. In Delhi, a monthly metro pass costs ₹1,500, while a two‑wheel auto‑rickshaw ride averages ₹15 per trip. In smaller towns, buses are cheaper and often under ₹500 for a monthly pass.

Utilities—electricity, water, gas, internet—add another ₹2,000–₹4,000 depending on usage and city. Internet plans start at ₹500 for 100 Mbps, which is enough for streaming and remote work.

Lastly, don’t forget health and insurance. A basic government health scheme costs little, but private health insurance for a young adult starts around ₹4,000 per year.

Top Cities for Affordable Living

Looking for a place where your salary stretches further? Here are three cities that consistently rank high on the affordability index.

Chandigarh offers clean streets, good public transport, and rents that hover around ₹12,000 for a one‑bedroom flat. The city’s salary levels are modest, but the lower cost of food and utilities balances things out.

Pune is a tech hub with salaries that are 15‑20% higher than the national average. Despite that, you can find decent housing for ₹15,000–₹25,000, and the food scene is cheap if you stick to local eateries.

Kolkata tops the list for sheer affordability. Rent for a decent apartment can be as low as ₹8,000, and street food costs just a few rupees per plate. Even with lower salaries, the overall cost of living leaves you with extra cash.

Remember, salary expectations matter. A fresh graduate in a Tier‑2 city might earn ₹3‑4 Lakhs per year, while a senior professional in a metro can pull ₹12‑15 Lakhs. Align your job search with the city’s cost profile to avoid feeling squeezed.

In short, India’s cost of living isn’t a one‑size‑fits‑all number. Rent, food, transport, and salary all shift from city to city. Use the figures above as a starting point, plug them into your own budget calculator, and you’ll have a clear picture of what life will look like in 2025.