Cost of living in india

Cost of Living in Each Indian State: State-Wise Comparison & Insights

ByDeepak Dalal
Home » Real Estate » Cost of Living in Each Indian State: State-Wise Comparison & Insights

India’s cost of living changes drastically from one state to another — rent, food, transportation, and lifestyle all play major roles.
Whether you’re a student, job seeker, or investor, understanding these differences helps plan finances smartly.

In this guide, we’ll cover the average monthly expenses for all 28 Indian states and 8 Union Territories, plus a comparison of cheapest and most expensive cities, average income levels, and budgeting tips.

What Does “Cost of Living” Mean?

The cost of living is the average expense needed to meet daily needs — such as housing, food, travel, utilities, healthcare, and education.
It indicates how affordable or expensive it is to live in a specific region.

Who Can Benefit From This Guide?

  • Employees relocating for jobs
  • Students selecting universities
  • Families moving cities
  • Real estate buyers comparing property affordability

Factors Affecting Cost of Living in India

  1. Housing / Rent Prices – The largest factor; metros cost more than rural towns.
  2. Food & Groceries – Local production and transport affect prices.
  3. Transportation – Metro cities have higher commuting and fuel costs.
  4. Utilities – Electricity, gas, and internet differ by region.
  5. Healthcare & Education – Private services raise total spending.
  6. Lifestyle & Entertainment – Shopping and recreation choices matter.

Average Monthly Cost of Living in india by State and Union Territory

  • Andhra Pradesh: ₹22,000–₹38,000 (single), ₹48,000–₹70,000 (family). 🟢 Moderate. Affordable in Vijayawada, higher in Vizag.
  • Arunachal Pradesh: ₹20,000–₹35,000 (single), ₹45,000–₹60,000 (family). 🟢 Moderate. Slightly higher costs in hill areas.
  • Assam: ₹20,000–₹35,000 (single), ₹45,000–₹60,000 (family). 🟢 Moderate. Guwahati moderately priced.
  • Bihar: ₹15,000–₹28,000 (single), ₹35,000–₹55,000 (family). 🟢 Low. Among the cheapest in India.
  • Chhattisgarh: ₹17,000–₹30,000 (single), ₹35,000–₹50,000 (family). 🟢 Low. Low rent and food prices.
  • Delhi (NCT): ₹40,000–₹60,000 (single), ₹80,000–₹1,30,000 (family). 🔴 High. Expensive rent and transport.
  • Goa: ₹30,000–₹55,000 (single), ₹65,000–₹1,00,000 (family). 🔴 High. Tourism inflates living costs.
  • Gujarat: ₹22,000–₹40,000 (single), ₹50,000–₹75,000 (family). 🟢 Moderate. Affordable outside Ahmedabad.
  • Haryana: ₹25,000–₹45,000 (single), ₹55,000–₹80,000 (family). 🟠 Mid-High. Expensive near Gurugram.
  • Himachal Pradesh: ₹22,000–₹35,000 (single), ₹45,000–₹65,000 (family). 🟢 Moderate. Costlier in hill stations.
  • Jharkhand: ₹18,000–₹30,000 (single), ₹40,000–₹55,000 (family). 🟢 Low. Ranchi and Jamshedpur affordable.
  • Jammu & Kashmir: ₹22,000–₹40,000 (single), ₹45,000–₹65,000 (family). 🟠 Mid-High. Logistics raise costs.
  • Karnataka: ₹30,000–₹50,000 (single), ₹60,000–₹1,00,000 (family). 🔴 High. Bengaluru drives higher prices.
  • Kerala: ₹25,000–₹40,000 (single), ₹50,000–₹70,000 (family). 🟢 Moderate. High quality of life, moderate costs.
  • Madhya Pradesh: ₹18,000–₹32,000 (single), ₹40,000–₹60,000 (family). 🟢 Low. Balanced and affordable.
  • Maharashtra: ₹35,000–₹55,000 (single), ₹70,000–₹1,20,000 (family). 🔴 High. Mumbai among costliest globally.
  • Manipur: ₹18,000–₹32,000 (single), ₹40,000–₹55,000 (family). 🟢 Moderate. Simple, low-cost lifestyle.
  • Meghalaya: ₹20,000–₹35,000 (single), ₹45,000–₹60,000 (family). 🟢 Moderate. Shillong slightly higher.
  • Mizoram: ₹18,000–₹30,000 (single), ₹40,000–₹55,000 (family). 🟢 Moderate. Limited rentals increase costs.
  • Nagaland: ₹18,000–₹30,000 (single), ₹40,000–₹55,000 (family). 🟢 Moderate. Kohima, Dimapur are costlier.
  • Odisha: ₹18,000–₹30,000 (single), ₹40,000–₹55,000 (family). 🟢 Low. Very affordable housing.
  • Punjab: ₹20,000–₹40,000 (single), ₹45,000–₹70,000 (family). 🟢 Moderate. Balanced lifestyle expenses.
  • Rajasthan: ₹20,000–₹35,000 (single), ₹45,000–₹65,000 (family). 🟢 Low. Cost-effective living.
  • Sikkim: ₹22,000–₹35,000 (single), ₹45,000–₹60,000 (family). 🟠 Mid-High. Mountain logistics increase cost.
  • Tamil Nadu: ₹25,000–₹45,000 (single), ₹55,000–₹85,000 (family). 🟢 Moderate. Chennai slightly expensive.
  • Telangana: ₹25,000–₹45,000 (single), ₹55,000–₹85,000 (family). 🟠 Mid-High. Hyderabad drives up cost.
  • Tripura: ₹18,000–₹30,000 (single), ₹40,000–₹55,000 (family). 🟢 Low. Low grocery and rent costs.
  • Uttar Pradesh: ₹18,000–₹35,000 (single), ₹45,000–₹65,000 (family). 🟢 Low. Affordable across cities.
  • Uttarakhand: ₹20,000–₹35,000 (single), ₹45,000–₹60,000 (family). 🟢 Moderate. Costlier in tourist hubs.
  • West Bengal: ₹22,000–₹38,000 (single), ₹45,000–₹70,000 (family). 🟢 Moderate. Kolkata higher rent.

Union Territories:

  • Chandigarh: ₹30,000–₹50,000 (single), ₹65,000–₹90,000 (family). 🔴 High. High rent but planned city.
  • Ladakh: ₹25,000–₹45,000 (single), ₹55,000–₹75,000 (family). 🟠 Mid-High. Transport adds to cost.
  • Puducherry: ₹25,000–₹40,000 (single), ₹50,000–₹70,000 (family). 🟢 Moderate. Affordable coastal living.
  • Andaman & Nicobar Islands: ₹28,000–₹45,000 (single), ₹60,000–₹80,000 (family). 🔴 High. Imported goods raise prices.
  • Lakshadweep: ₹25,000–₹40,000 (single), ₹50,000–₹70,000 (family). 🟠 Mid-High. Costly logistics.
  • Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu: ₹20,000–₹35,000 (single), ₹45,000–₹60,000 (family). 🟢 Moderate. Affordable coastal towns.

Most Affordable States to Live in India

  1. Bihar – Lowest average rent and food prices
  2. Chhattisgarh – Inexpensive utilities and low congestion
  3. Odisha – Peaceful lifestyle and low costs
  4. Madhya Pradesh – Balanced living, affordable housing
  5. Uttar Pradesh – Cost-effective with good connectivity

Most Expensive States to Live in India

  1. Delhi (NCT) – High rent, transport, and lifestyle costs
  2. Maharashtra – Mumbai and Pune drive expenses
  3. Karnataka – Bengaluru inflates average costs
  4. Goa – Tourism demand raises living cost
  5. Telangana – Hyderabad’s IT sector increases costs

Most Expensive and Cheapest Cities in India

Most Expensive Cities

  • Mumbai (Maharashtra)
  • Delhi (NCT)
  • Bengaluru (Karnataka)
  • Gurugram (Haryana)
  • Goa

Cheapest Cities

  • Patna (Bihar)
  • Raipur (Chhattisgarh)
  • Indore (Madhya Pradesh)
  • Bhubaneswar (Odisha)
  • Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh)

What is the Average Income in India?

SectorAverage Salary (₹/month)
IT & Software₹50,000 – ₹1,00,000
Banking & Finance₹40,000 – ₹90,000
Education₹20,000 – ₹45,000
Manufacturing₹25,000 – ₹60,000
Agriculture₹15,000 – ₹30,000
Freelancers / Online Jobs₹30,000 – ₹70,000

👉 India’s national median income is around ₹25,000/month, but metros often double that figure for skilled professionals.

India vs Other Countries – Cost Comparison

CountryLiving Cost vs India
United States70% higher
United Kingdom65% higher
Germany55% higher
Japan45% higher
China25% higher

India remains one of the most affordable countries globally, especially for food, housing, and domestic transport.

Tips to Reduce and Manage Cost of Living

  1. Prefer Tier-2/Tier-3 cities — rent and food are 40–50% cheaper.
  2. Use public or shared transport to save fuel.
  3. Buy local groceries to cut food bills.
  4. Compare rent online before shifting.
  5. Switch to energy-saving appliances.
  6. Track monthly expenses using budgeting apps.

Conclusion

The cost of living in India depends on where you live and how you live.
If affordability is your goal, states like Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha offer excellent value.
If career growth matters more, Delhi, Maharashtra, and Karnataka are worth the higher expense.

Before moving or investing, check state-wise Bhulekh records and land information at Bhulekh India.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the average cost of living in India?
👉 The average monthly cost of living in India ranges from ₹18,000 to ₹60,000 for a single person, depending on the state and lifestyle.

Q2. Which state in India has the lowest cost of living?
👉 Bihar, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh have the lowest cost of living due to affordable rent, local food availability, and low transport costs.

Q3. Which state in India has the highest cost of living?
👉 Delhi, Maharashtra, and Karnataka are the most expensive states because of high housing, transport, and entertainment costs.

Q4. What is the cost of living in Delhi?
👉 In Delhi, a single person spends ₹40,000–₹60,000 per month, while a family of four may need ₹80,000–₹1,30,000 monthly.

Q5. How much money is enough to live comfortably in India?
👉 A monthly income of ₹40,000–₹60,000 is sufficient in most tier-2 cities, while ₹80,000+ is needed in metros for a comfortable lifestyle.

Q6. What is the cost of living in rural vs urban India?
👉 Rural India costs ₹12,000–₹25,000 monthly, while major metros like Mumbai and Delhi range from ₹50,000–₹1,00,000 or more.

Q7. Which city in India has the highest rent prices?
👉 Mumbai tops the list with high rent costs, followed by Delhi, Bengaluru, and Gurugram.

Q8. What factors increase the cost of living in Indian states?
👉 The main factors are rent, transportation, healthcare, education, and lifestyle preferences.

Q9. Which are the most affordable metro cities in India?
👉 Lucknow, Jaipur, and Indore are considered affordable metros with balanced rent and good infrastructure.

Q10. How much does food cost per month in India?
👉 Monthly grocery and food expenses range from ₹4,000–₹10,000 for a single person and ₹10,000–₹20,000 for a family.

Q11. What is the average rent in India?
👉 Rent for a 1BHK apartment varies between ₹6,000–₹25,000 per month based on location and city size.

Q12. How much salary is needed to live in India’s major cities?
👉 ₹60,000–₹1,00,000 per month is needed to live comfortably in cities like Bengaluru, Pune, and Delhi.

Q13. Which state offers the best balance between affordability and quality of life?
👉 Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala offer moderate living costs along with excellent facilities and employment opportunities.

Q14. Why is Maharashtra’s cost of living so high?
👉 Mumbai’s population density, real estate demand, and business ecosystem make it one of the costliest states to live in.

Q15. Is India affordable for foreigners or expats?
👉 Yes, compared to most countries, India offers a lower cost of living, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

Q16. How does the cost of living impact real estate investment?
👉 States with a lower cost of living often have affordable property prices, making them ideal for investment and rental yields.

Q17. Which state offers the cheapest public transport in India?
👉 States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha have the lowest transportation costs through buses and shared travel options.

Q18. Does cost of living affect job salaries in India?
👉 Yes, salaries are typically higher in states with higher living costs like Delhi, Maharashtra, and Karnataka to offset expenses.

Q19. How can I calculate my personal cost of living in India?
👉 You can calculate it by adding your monthly rent, food, travel, and utility expenses or by using online cost-of-living calculators.

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