City cost tiers (relative)
| Tier | Cities |
|---|---|
| ₹₹₹₹ Highest | Mumbai |
| ₹₹₹ High | Bengaluru, Delhi NCR (Gurugram, South Delhi), Goa (premium areas) |
| ₹₹ Moderate | Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kochi, Chandigarh |
| ₹ Lower | Jaipur, Kolkata, Mysuru, Dehradun |
See each city’s page in where to live.
What drives your budget
- Housing: the biggest variable, especially in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Gurugram.
- International school fees, often the largest expense for expat families.
- Imported goods: international brands, wine and imported foods cost more than at home.
- Health insurance: essential and affordable relative to the US.
- Help at home: domestic help and drivers are affordable by Western standards.
What’s cheap
Local food, public transport, mobile data, domestic services and travel within India.
What’s not
Premium housing, international schools, cars and imported goods.
Tips
- Live near work and school to save hours of commuting.
- Use UPI and local apps for groceries and services.
- Ask colleagues and local expat groups for current prices in your neighbourhood.
