Living costs vary widely in India's major cities

Living costs in India’s major cities can vary significantly. This includes cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. Factors such as housing, transportation, and lifestyle greatly influence these costs. In Delhi, the monthly living expenses range from Rs 22,000 to Rs 50,000. Bengaluru's costs are slightly lower, between Rs 20,000 and Rs 50,000. In Mumbai, one can expect to spend between Rs 30,000 and Rs 60,000 each month. Hyderabad has the lowest range, from Rs 12,000 to Rs 50,000. Other cities also have varied expenses: Chennai (Rs 15,000 to Rs 50,000), Kolkata (Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000), Pune (Rs 25,000 to Rs 45,000), and Ahmedabad (Rs 22,500 to Rs 42,000). These figures are approximate and can change based on individual lifestyles. The data comes from Digit Insurance. Understanding the population of these cities helps to explain the cost of living. As of 2025, Delhi has around 3.38 crore residents, while Mumbai has about 2.44 crore. Kolkata’s population is estimated at 1.89 crore, Bengaluru has around 1.49 crore, and Chennai has about 1.37 crore residents. Hyderabad's population is expected to be 1.23 crore. Pune and Ahmedabad have smaller populations, around 81 lakh and 80 lakh, respectively. These large populations put pressure on housing and infrastructure, which can increase living costs.