MigrantoCost of living in India
What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries, and where the money goes
Monthly cost in India
Spending runs from ₹7,430 a month in the poorest fifth to ₹25,700 in the richest
Per person, whole country
₹12,900
what a typical person spends in a month
Spending across the population
₹7,430richest 20%
₹25,700
Where people spend money in India
One person's out-of-pocket spending, averaged across the whole country
Ask Migo
Tap a question — our AI assistant answers it in chat
Key facts
The cost of living in India in numbers
Groceries takes an unusual share of the budget
It absorbs 32.5% of spending here, or ₹4,190 a month, against 19.7% in a typical country, 12.8 points more.
Among the cheapest countries in the world
Cheaper than 99% of countries. A basket that costs ₹95,300 at world-middle prices costs ₹51,300 here.
Typical spending takes 57% of the average wage
A typical person spends ₹12,900 a month while the average take-home wage is ₹22,700, so 43% of an average wage sits above what a typical person spends.
How living costs in India compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure
What things cost here
How much the same goods and services cost in India against other countries
Cheaper than 99% of countries
Where India sits when every country is lined up from cheapest to most expensive
Pakistanmost expensive
Bermuda
middle
A basket of goods and services that costs ₹95,300 at world-middle prices costs ₹51,300 here.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), category breakdown 2020 (United Nations Statistics Division), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
Living-cost calculator
What it costs to live in India
Tell us what you earn and spend today — we'll estimate what the same lifestyle would cost in India and how much you could have left each month
- What your lifestyle costs
- How much could be left each month
- How it compares with today
Cost of living in India
₹7,430/mo
vs ₹76,200 in your country
Take-home
₹19,900
vs ₹114,000 in your country
Potential savings
₹12,500
more than in your country
Standard of living
Under a minute, no sign-up
Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in India?
A typical person in India spends about ₹12,900 a month — around ₹154,000 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the standard of living in India?
By spending, India ranks #143 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about ₹12,900 a month, the poorest 20% about ₹7,430 and the richest 20% about ₹25,700. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.
What is the cost of living in India in US dollars?
The cost of living in India is about $135 a month, or roughly $1,620 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in India?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about ₹7,430 a month per person, a typical one around ₹12,900, and a comfortable life around ₹15,600. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
What do people spend the most on in India?
The biggest expense is groceries, at about ₹4,190 a month (33% of spending). Then come transport (₹1,910, 15%) and housing (₹1,810, 14%).
Is the average salary in India enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about ₹12,900 a month, while the average take-home pay in India is about ₹22,700. For more on incomes, see salaries in India.
Is India an expensive country to live in?
No. India is more expensive than 23% of countries worldwide and ranks 21st of 27 in Asia by cost of living.
What currency is used in India?
India uses the Indian Rupee (INR). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.
Where to live?
Score countries, regions and cities by what matters to you
Living in India
See the full country overview