Cost of Living in India 2026 — Rent, Food, Tax & BudgetAll figures are shown in EUR for comparability. The local currency of India is the Indian rupee (INR).
Monthly Living Costs in India
Average prices from our cost dataset, re-checked on a rolling basis:
1BR Rent
per month, city average
3BR Rent
per month, city average
Groceries
per month, single person
Transport
per month, public transit pass
Utilities
per month, basic apartment
Meal Out
typical price per meal
Monthly budget (single person): €255 (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities)
Monthly budget (couple): €315 (shared 1-bedroom rent, two of everything else)
These are national averages — actual costs vary by city and lifestyle.
How Expensive Is India Overall?
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (market data; higher = more expensive) | 20.7 |
| Rent index | 4.3 |
| Groceries index | 21.6 |
| Restaurant price index | 15.6 |
| Local purchasing-power index (higher = stronger) | 76.4 |
| Price level index (World Bank, 2024; US = 100) | 24.4 |
| Property price-to-income ratio | 11 |
Salaries by Sector
Typical gross annual salaries in India from our sector dataset:
| Sector | Typical gross annual (EUR) |
|---|---|
| IT & Software | €12,000 |
| Finance | €12,000 |
| Engineering | €11,000 |
| Construction | €6,500 |
| Healthcare | €6,000 |
| Education | €5,500 |
| Retail | €4,000 |
| Hospitality | €4,000 |
Taxes in India
Headline tax figures that shape your take-home pay:
| Tax | Rate / amount |
|---|---|
| Effective income tax at €90k gross | 14.9% |
| Net monthly pay at €90k gross | €5,675 |
| VAT / sales tax | 5% |
| Top personal income-tax rate | 39% |
Worked example: on a €90,000 gross salary, net pay is about €5,675 per month. After rent and essentials (€255), roughly €5,420 per month is left for savings and discretionary spending.
How India Compares to Its Neighbours
| Country | 1BR Rent | Groceries | Transport | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | €160 | €45 | €15 | 20.7 |
| Bangladesh | €250 | €80 | €25 | 28.5 |
| Bhutan | €450 | €160 | €20 | 21.9 |
| Myanmar | €280 | €60 | €15 | 23.8 |
Quality of Life Metrics
Beyond cost, these factors shape everyday life in India:
Safety index
Healthcare index
Internet speed
English proficiency
Life expectancy
Expat satisfaction
What It Costs to Get In: Visas & Residence
We track 18 residence and visa routes for India — see the full India visa programme list.
Lowest documented income requirement among tracked routes: €16,667 per month — Research Visa (researcher route). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Our engine estimates a minimum financial viability of €415 per month to sustain a move to India.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is India expensive?
India has a cost-of-living index of 20.7 (higher = more expensive). A 1-bedroom apartment averages €160 per month and a single person spends about €255 per month on rent plus essentials.
How much money do I need per month in India?
About €255 per month covers rent and essentials for a single person (1-bedroom rent + groceries + transport + utilities). A couple sharing a 1-bedroom apartment needs about €315 per month.
What is the average rent in India?
A 1-bedroom apartment averages €160 per month and a 3-bedroom apartment averages €550 per month in India. Prices vary significantly between city centres and smaller towns.
What do people earn in India?
Typical gross annual salaries in India range from €4,000 (Hospitality) to €12,000 (IT & Software), based on our sector dataset.
Which residence route has the lowest income requirement for India?
Among the 18 India residence routes we track, the lowest documented income requirement is €16,667 per month (Research Visa). Requirements change; always confirm on the official page before applying.
Ready for the next step? See the full India country profile and the India emigration guide.
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