Cost of Living in India: What It Really Costs to Live There

When people talk about the cost of living in India, the total amount of money needed to cover basic expenses like housing, food, transport, and healthcare in the country. Also known as living expenses in India, it’s one of the most misunderstood topics for travelers and expats alike. Many assume India is cheap everywhere—and while that’s often true, the reality varies wildly depending on where you are, how you live, and what you’re used to back home.

Take rent, for example. In a small town in Uttar Pradesh, you might find a clean one-bedroom apartment for under $100 a month. But in Mumbai or Delhi, the same space could cost $500 or more. Food is another big variable: a street-side meal of dal and roti might set you back $1, while a dinner at a mid-range restaurant in Bangalore could run $20. Public transport is dirt cheap—auto-rickshaws and local trains cost pennies—but if you’re hiring a taxi daily for sightseeing, that adds up fast. And don’t forget utilities: electricity and water bills are low, but air conditioning in summer can spike your bill if you’re not careful.

The budget travel India, a style of traveling that prioritizes low expenses while still offering authentic experiences. Also known as affordable India travel, it’s why millions of tourists choose India every year. But even budget travelers need to know where to stretch their rupees. A backpacker in Goa might spend $25 a day, while someone living comfortably in Hyderabad could be spending $800 a month on rent, food, and local transport. Then there’s healthcare—private clinics are affordable by Western standards, but emergencies can still cost hundreds if you’re uninsured. And while India doesn’t have income tax for most low-earners, foreigners on long-term visas may face other fees or residency requirements that aren’t obvious at first.

What makes India’s cost of living so tricky to pin down is how much it depends on your lifestyle. Are you eating at local dhabas or ordering from Uber Eats? Are you staying in hostels or renting an apartment? Do you need a car, or does public transit work fine? These choices change everything. And unlike some countries where prices are locked in by law, India’s market is fluid—prices rise during festivals, drop in the monsoon, and shift with tourist seasons.

You’ll find real, up-to-date numbers in the posts below. We’ve pulled together guides on what Americans actually spend eating safely in North India, how much it costs to travel between cities by taxi, and whether India is still a budget destination in 2025. You’ll see how much people actually pay for rent in Chennai versus Jaipur, what a daily food budget looks like for a family, and why some travelers think India is cheap while others feel it’s getting expensive. There’s no single answer—but there are plenty of honest, practical stories to help you plan.