Cost of Living in India

RESTAURANTS

Indian cuisine is vegetarian and very spicy, and the food you are used to eating can be found in popular tourist places only.

Also, non-vegetarian dishes are available in restaurants in large cities.

A meal in an inexpensive restaurant costs $2.45, while a three-course meal for two people in a mid-range restaurant is $12.25.

MARKETS

The prices at the markets are awesome as well as the assortment.

Although the markets are far from those neat and nicely planned markets in Australia, Germany, or the US cities, you will find a great number of cheap vegetables, fruits, and spices there.

For $30, you can carry home a huge bag with meat, cheese, wine, cereals, fruits, vegetables, dairy, and poultry.

TRANSPORTATION

The biggest advantage of traveling around India is multiple means of transport and very low prices.

Trains for different classes of people, local and sleeper buses, and planes (the most expensive, though) are the best ways to travel around India.

Taxis, rickshaws, and the metro (the cheapest) are also available in many cities.

The prices for public transport are too low.

UTILITIES (MONTHLY)

The high-speed Internet connection in India might be a big problem if you are in a small town or in a city which is not a tourist destination.

Internet cafes are full of outdated PCs, or you can plug in your notebook to speak on Skype or work long hours.

You should also buy a local sim card to use the mobile phone cheaply.

SPORTS & LEISURE

The Bollywood style of music in the local clubs attracts local youth in big cities which is also applicable to the cinema.

Indian most popular sport is cricket, while football and tennis are less attractive to the locals.

They prefer yoga and sports clubs, and the resort cities like Goa offer the broadest range of water sports (snorkeling, scuba diving, parasailing, jet skiing, etc.).

CLOTHING & SHOES

Whether searching for folk clothing or a modern outfit, you will find traditional marketplaces, shops, and boutiques to buy a few pairs of jeans, shoes, and dresses.

For instance, prices in chain stores are 70% lower than in Iceland.

All large cities have shopping malls selling popular local and international brands.

The lowest prices for clothing and shoes are in the capital city of Delhi.

RENT PER MONTH

In India, it is much more of a benefit to rent accommodation than buying property.

The monthly rent is cheap enough if compared to the rest of the world’s cities.

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center is $182.37 while the same space outside downtown is $118.10, and great if you split the bill with a friend.

HEALTHCARE

India has mixed public and private healthcare, with much direct payment by patients; nearly half of all health spending is out-of-pocket.

Out-of-pocket costs per person often exceed 300 to 600 USD per year, covering clinic visits, hospital care, and medicines, while public insurance schemes mean nominal monthly costs can be under 20 USD for formal coverage.

With average monthly incomes of around 250 to 300 USD, healthcare expenses often represent a large share of household income.

EDUCATION

Public primary and secondary schools are tuition‑free, though families pay for uniforms, books, and school supplies.

Private schools and international schools charge tuition that can range from $8,000 to $16,000 per year, depending on the institution.

Public universities typically charge low fees, often a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars per year, while private colleges can exceed $3,000 per year.

Students also incur housing, food, transport, and materials costs.

Average monthly income for many workers is around $200 to $300, so education expenses, especially private schooling and university living costs, take up a large share of typical income.