Cost Of Living in Delhi 2025
Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Delhi
Whether you're living in Delhi or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: INR
Monthly Expenditure ▶ Single
Currency: INR
Monthly Expenditure ▶ Couple
Currency: INR
Monthly Expenditure ▶ Family
Currency: INR
Monthly Expenditure ▶ Student
Currency: INR
The figures displayed here are inclusive of everything: housing, travel, groceries, healthcare, etc.
Singles
The average monthly expense for a single person living in Delhi is 63,000 INR. Expenses can range from 8,800 INR at the minimum level to 700,000 INR at the highest end.
Couples
The average monthly spending of couples in Delhi is 93,000 INR. Expenditure can range from 14,000 INR to 860,000 INR per month.
Families
The average cost of living for families in Delhi is 110,000 INR per month. Families spend anywhere from 22,000 INR to 1.1M INR.
Students
The average monthly expenditure for students in Delhi is 46,000 INR. Students spend from 6,800 INR to 510,000 INR per month.
Spending behavior can change drastically from one person to another. It is best to consider the minimum, average, and maximum spending together.
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Delhi
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Delhi
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 7,400 INR | 11,000 INR | 30,000 INR |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 11,000 INR | 18,000 INR | 45,000 INR |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 15,000 INR | 23,000 INR | 62,000 INR |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 19,000 INR | 32,000 INR | 86,000 INR |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 36,000 INR | 91,000 INR | 180,000 INR |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 30,000 INR | 45,000 INR | 130,000 INR |
House monthly rent cost
| 36,000 INR | 91,000 INR | 180,000 INR |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 44,000 INR | 110,000 INR | 180,000 INR |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Delhi ranges between 7,400 INR and 30,000 INR, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 11,000 INR to 45,000 INR. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 15,000 INR and 62,000 INR per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 19,000 INR to 86,000 INR. The average rent of a townhouse in Delhi is around 45,000 INR while house rental costs can be as high as 91,000 INR per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 44,000 INR to 180,000 INR per month.
Apartment and house prices in Delhi
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 1.5M INR | 2.3M INR | 4.6M INR |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 1.9M INR | 3.2M INR | 12M INR |
2-bedroom apartment price
| $36,000 | $110,000 | $210,000 |
3-bedroom apartment price
| $120,000 | $180,000 | $550,000 |
Townhouse price
House price
Villa price
| 19M INR | 110M INR | 160M INR |
The average price of a studio apartment in Delhi can range from 1.5M INR to 4.6M INR depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 1.9M INR to 12M INR. A villa can cost you 110M INR on average with prices ranging from 19M INR to 160M INR.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Delhi will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 44 | x124 monthly income | 260 |
Property prices in Delhi can be x124 to x260 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x124 multiples of the average monthly salary in Delhi.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Delhi is around 34%. This means that people pay 34% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 23% to 46% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
27% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
| 140 INR | 1,400 INR | 21,000 INR |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
Emergency Funds
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked residents whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes49%
No51%
Based on the survey, 51% of the people living in Delhi said that they don't have an emergency fund while 49% said that they do.
How do people spend their money in Delhi?
We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.
The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.
Housing Expenditure23%
23% of total expenses on average (12% to 31%)
| LOW | $25 2,100 INR |
| AVERAGE | $250 21,000 INR |
| HIGH | $3,700 310,000 INR |
| Per Month |
People living in Delhi typically spend from 12% to 31% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 23% being the average. The average spend on housing is 21,000 INR with expenditure ranging from 2,100 INR to 310,000 INR. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.
Utilities, Electricity, Water, Internet, Mobile8%
8% of total expenses on average (5% to 12%)
| LOW | $3.7 310 INR |
| AVERAGE | $37 3,100 INR |
| HIGH | $560 46,000 INR |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Delhi ranges from 5% to 12% of total expenses with 8% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 3,100 INR with 310 INR and 46,000 INR being the upper and lower limits.
Transport, Fuel, Commute6%
6% of total expenses on average (3% to 10%)
| LOW | $7.9 660 INR |
| AVERAGE | $79 6,600 INR |
| HIGH | $1,200 99,000 INR |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 660 INR to 99,000 INR on commuting with 6,600 INR being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 6% of total spending on average but can go as low as 3% or as high as 10%.
Food and Groceries Cost29%
29% of total expenses on average (21% to 35%)
| LOW | $19 1,600 INR |
| AVERAGE | $190 16,000 INR |
| HIGH | $2,900 240,000 INR |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries in a month in Delhi is 16,000 INR. The cost of groceries can range between 1,600 INR to 240,000 INR. People spend on average about 29% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 21% and 35% respectively.
Healthcare and Medical Services11%
11% of total expenses on average (6% to 14%)
| LOW | $4.9 400 INR |
| AVERAGE | $49 4,000 INR |
| HIGH | $730 61,000 INR |
| Per Month |
People in Delhi allocate 6% to 14% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 11%. The range of medical expenses range from 400 INR to 61,000 INR with 4,000 INR being the norm.
Leisure and Shopping4%
4% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)
| LOW | $3.1 260 INR |
| AVERAGE | $31 2,600 INR |
| HIGH | $470 39,000 INR |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 260 INR to 39,000 INR with 2,600 INR being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 8% of total expenses with an average of 4% for most residents.
Education and Schooling5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 11%)
| LOW | $4.7 390 INR |
| AVERAGE | $47 3,900 INR |
| HIGH | $700 58,000 INR |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 5% of the monthly expenditure with 3% and 11% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 3,900 INR per month with 390 INR being the minimum spent amount and 58,000 INR being the maximum.
Other Expenses14%
14% of total expenses on average (9% to 21%)
| LOW | $11 870 INR |
| AVERAGE | $110 8,700 INR |
| HIGH | $1,600 130,000 INR |
| Per Month |
How much money can you save in Delhi every month?
We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.
What percentage of people in Delhi manage to save money from their income every month?
Almost 63% of the surveyed people in Delhi said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 37% said that aren't saving anything.
Percentage of people saving money by population group in Delhi
| Group | Savers | Non Savers |
|---|
| Singles | 63% | 37% |
| Couples | 60% | 40% |
| Families | 52% | 48% |
Savings-to-Income Ratio
The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
2,200 INR
$26 | 22,000 INR
$260 | 320,000 INR
$3,900 |
For most people, 12% to 35% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 21% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 22,000 INR on average with savings ranging from 2,200 INR to 320,000 INR.
63% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 60% of couples said the same. 52% of families confirmed their ability to save money.
How much money do people actually save in Delhi?
The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.
Singles
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
2,100 INR
$25 | 19,000 INR
$220 | 210,000 INR
$2,500 |
Savings to income distribution levels for singles
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Singles |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 33% |
| 10% - 20% | 26% |
| 20% - 30% | 16% |
| 30% - 40% | 12% |
| 40% - 50% | 9% |
| > 50% | 4% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 15% to 37% of their monthly income to savings, with 25% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 19,000 INR with 2,100 INR and 210,000 INR being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Couples
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
4,200 INR
$51 | 27,000 INR
$330 | 250,000 INR
$3,100 |
Savings to income distribution levels for couples
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Couples |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 37% |
| 10% - 20% | 28% |
| 20% - 30% | 19% |
| 30% - 40% | 7% |
| 40% - 50% | 6% |
| > 50% | 3% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 13% to 37% of their monthly income, with 24% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 27,000 INR with 4,200 INR and 250,000 INR being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Families
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
6,500 INR
$78 | 32,000 INR
$390 | 320,000 INR
$3,900 |
Savings to income distribution levels for families
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Families |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 40% |
| 10% - 20% | 31% |
| 20% - 30% | 20% |
| 30% - 40% | 4% |
| 40% - 50% | 3% |
| > 50% | 2% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Families in Delhi can save anywhere between 11% to 31% of their monthly income, with 19% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 32,000 INR with 6,500 INR and 320,000 INR being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Saving Challenges in Delhi
Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money
We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Delhi. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.
| Reason | % People |
|---|
| Low Income | 4% |
| High Expenses | 7% |
| Debt and Loans | 12% |
| Lack of Budgeting Skills | 12% |
| Impulsive Spending | 12% |
| Financial Emergencies | 7% |
| Living the moment | 5% |
| Will do it later | 22% |
| Inflation | 14% |
| Social Pressure | 3% |
| Market Instability | 2% |
Around 4% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 7% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 12% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 12% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 12% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 7% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 5% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 22% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 14% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 2% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.
Financial Literacy in
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy44%
We asked residents of whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 56% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 44% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether residents of have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 46% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 54% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance46%
Easily manages finances54%
Financial goals of people in Delhi
In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Delhi, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.
| Financial Goal | % People |
|---|
| Emergency Fund | 9% |
| Debt Reduction | 45% |
| Retirement Savings | 11% |
| Education Funding | 6% |
| Homeownership | 19% |
| Investing | 6% |
| Travel or Lifestyle | 5% |
| Healthcare Expenses | 15% |
| Financial Independence | 4% |
Around 9% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 45% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 11% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 6% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 19% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 6% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 5% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 15% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.
Debt, loans, and mortgages in Delhi
Percentage of people who are in debt
According to the survey, 27% of the people in Delhi have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 73% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.
Debt-to-income ratio in Delhi
Debt to income ratio
31%
23% to 40%
( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100
Interpretation
The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 31% of the people's monthly income in Delhi goes to debt settlement.
Debt levelsMonthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income
| Debt-to-income ratio | % People |
|---|
| > 60% | 3% |
| 50% - 60% | 20% |
| 40% - 50% | 15% |
| 30% - 40% | 17% |
| 20% - 30% | 9% |
| 10% - 20% | 10% |
| 0% - 10% | 25% |
According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Delhi pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 20% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 15% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 17% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 9% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.
Distribution by type of debt in Delhi
| Debt | % People |
|---|
| Real Estate Mortgage | 7% |
| Auto Loan | 13% |
| Student Loan | 4% |
| Credit Card | 31% |
| Personal Loan | 45% |
7% of debtors in Delhi confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 31% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 13% of people and personal loans rose at 45%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in Delhi.
About credit score and debt managementManaging debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.
Good debt vs. Bad debt
Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.
Loan Affordability Index in Delhi
Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.
Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.
| Frequency | % People |
|---|
| Never | 49% |
| Once a year | 24% |
| Twice a year | 13% |
| Three times a year | 9% |
| Four times a year | 4% |
Affordable living in Delhi
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Delhi?
Around 49% of surveyed residents think that living in Delhi is affordable with proper budgeting while 51% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Delhi
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Delhi
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Delhi is approximatly 160 INR with meal cost ranging from 78 INR to 260 INR. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 270 INR and 810 INR with 400 INR being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Delhi.
Fine dining meal for one price
| 520 INR | 780 INR | 3,100 INR |
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 520 INR to 3,100 INR with the average cost being 780 INR for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Delhi.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Delhi is around 110 INR. Price ranges between 67 INR and 160 INR depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Delhi is 65 INR. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 81 INR and the minimum being 54 INR depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 52 INR on average with 39 INR and 78 INR being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Delhi is between 92 INR and 170 INR depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 120 INR.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 170 INR. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Delhi costs around 56 INR on average with prices rangeing between 41 INR and 80 INR depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 16 INR to 39 INR. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 37 INR on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Delhi is around 31%. This means that people spend 31% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 22% to 37% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for every population group
A single person living alone spends approximately 9,300 INR per month on grocery and food with expenditure fluctuating between 1,300 INR and 100,000 INR depending on location and the type of person. The average cost of food and groceries for a couple is around 12,000 INR per month. That number can be get as low as 1,800 INR or a high as 110,000 INR. Families' spending on grocery ranges from 3,500 INR to 170,000 INR with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Delhi
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
Fine dining meal for one
| 520 INR | 780 INR | 3,100 INR |
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
| 390 INR | 520 INR | 1,000 INR |
Average car 1-day rental
Average car price
| 190,000 INR | 370,000 INR | 500,000 INR |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
| 510 INR | 760 INR | 1,500 INR |
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Individual
| 460 INR | 3,300 INR | 37,000 INR |
Utility Bill - Couple
| 490 INR | 3,600 INR | 41,000 INR |
Utility Bill - Family
| 920 INR | 4,600 INR | 46,000 INR |
Internet and cable
| 410 INR | 810 INR | 1,100 INR |
Mobile phone charges
| 270 INR | 450 INR | 1,400 INR |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
| 640 INR | 800 INR | 1,600 INR |
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
| 480 INR | 680 INR | 1,000 INR |
Woman dress
| 460 INR | 640 INR | 2,100 INR |
Woman shoes
| 410 INR | 560 INR | 1,300 INR |
Men's shoes
Men suit
| 410 INR | 510 INR | 2,700 INR |
Regular t-shirt
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 7,400 INR | 11,000 INR | 30,000 INR |
1-bedroom apartment
| 11,000 INR | 18,000 INR | 45,000 INR |
2-bedroom apartment
| 15,000 INR | 23,000 INR | 62,000 INR |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 1.5M INR | 2.3M INR | 4.6M INR |
1-bedroom apartment
| 1.9M INR | 3.2M INR | 12M INR |
2-bedroom apartment
| $36,000 | $110,000 | $210,000 |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
| 7,700 INR | 9,700 INR | 13,000 INR |
Double Bed
| 5,300 INR | 7,900 INR | 9,900 INR |
Single Bed
| 4,700 INR | 6,200 INR | 8,100 INR |
Living Room
| 9,200 INR | 12,000 INR | 41,000 INR |
Dining Table
| 3,900 INR | 5,200 INR | 9,700 INR |
Sofa or Couch
| 5,300 INR | 7,200 INR | 16,000 INR |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
| 5,300 INR | 7,900 INR | 16,000 INR |
Fridge or Freezer
| 4,800 INR | 7,400 INR | 10,000 INR |
Washing Machine
| 5,800 INR | 8,400 INR | 15,000 INR |
Stove or Cooker
| 5,500 INR | 7,100 INR | 9,700 INR |
Mobile Phone
| 6,600 INR | 7,900 INR | 11,000 INR |
Laptop or Computer
| 7,400 INR | 9,000 INR | 16,000 INR |
Typical saving choices for people in Delhi
Where do people choose to put their savings?
| Saving Type | % People |
|---|
| Emergency Funds | 13% |
| Gold | 14% |
| Savings Accounts | 17% |
| Retirement Accounts | 9% |
| Cash Savings | 22% |
| Real Estate | 9% |
| Investment | 5% |
| Stocks | 4% |
| Bonds | 4% |
| Mutual Funds | 2% |
| Certificates of Deposit | 3% |
Expenditure to Income Ratio in Delhi
One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in.
Spending to Income Ratio
97%
89% to 110%
( expenditure / income ) x 100
Expense to income distribution levels
| Spending To Income Ratio | % People |
|---|
| < 50% | 4% |
| 50% - 60% | 8% |
| 60% - 70% | 14% |
| 70% - 80% | 24% |
| 80% - 90% | 21% |
| 90% - 100% | 11% |
| 100% - 110% | 6% |
| 110% - 120% | 4% |
| 120% - 130% | 3% |
| 130% - 140% | 2% |
| > 140% | 2% |
Interpretation and Analysis
The average spending-to-salary ratio in Delhi is 97%
This means that on average, people spend around 97% of their income for living.
According to the distribution table, 14% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.
How can spending be more than income?
A value higher than 100% means that the expenditure of those people is higher than their income. They are spending more than what they earn. This is possible in two scenarios. They are either borrowing from their savings to survive or they are borrowing from other sources (relatives, friends, banks, etc.). More about this in the debt section.
Individual
90%
Spending-Income-Ratio
82%
99%
Couple
97%
Spending-Income-Ratio
89%
110%
Family
100%
Spending-Income-Ratio
92%
110%
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Delhi
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Delhi
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Individual
| 460 INR | 3,300 INR | 37,000 INR |
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Couple
| 490 INR | 3,600 INR | 41,000 INR |
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family
| 920 INR | 4,600 INR | 46,000 INR |
Internet and cable cost
| 410 INR | 810 INR | 1,100 INR |
Mobile phone bill and charges
| 270 INR | 450 INR | 1,400 INR |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly expenditure for individuals on electricty, water, and gas in Delhi ranges between 460 INR and 37,000 INR with average being 3,300 INR, meanwhile the expenditure of couples is slightly higher at 3,600 INR with 490 INR and 41,000 INR being the upper and lower limits respectively. As expected, the energy and water consumption of families is the highest among the three groups with an average of 4,600 INR. The cost of internet and WiFi is unchanged among the three groups and ranges from 410 INR to 1,100 INR with 810 INR being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 450 INR but can range between 270 INR and 1,400 INR depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Delhi is around 7%. This means that people pay 7% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3.5% to 12% depending on salary and location.
Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Delhi
What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Delhi and how much retirement savings are required?
Retirement age
The retirement age for most employees in is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.
Retirement planning and savings
There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.
The typical saved amount of money you should have at every age as multiples of monthly salary:| Age | Amount |
|---|
| 25 | 5x monthly salary at age 25 |
| 30 | 10x monthly salary at age 30 |
| 35 | 15x monthly salary at age 35 |
| 40 | 25x monthly salary at age 40 |
| 45 | 32x monthly salary at age 45 |
| 50 | 48x monthly salary at age 50 |
| 55 | 56x monthly salary at age 55 |
| 60 | 64x monthly salary at age 60 |
| 65 | 78x monthly salary at age 65 |
The typical average saved amount of money you should have at every age in Delhi:| Age | Amount |
|---|
| 25 | 150,000 INR |
| 30 | 310,000 INR |
| 35 | 550,000 INR |
| 40 | 800,000 INR |
| 45 | 1.1M INR |
| 50 | 1.6M INR |
| 55 | 2M INR |
| 60 | 2.5M INR |
| 65 | 2.8M INR |
Retirement Income Distribution
We asked residents about their retirement income sources and below are the results.
| Source | % People |
|---|
| Pensions | 11% |
| Savings | 24% |
| Investments | 11% |
| Social Security | 6% |
| Annuities | 6% |
| Part-time Job | 16% |
| Real Estate | 19% |
| Dividends and Interest | 6% |
Retirement Monthly Expenses in Delhi 5,200 INR
$63 | 47,000 INR
$560 | 520,000 INR
$6,300 |
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Low-cost alternatives in Delhi
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked residents how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options56%
Few low-cost options44%
Based on the survey, 56% of the people living in Delhi have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 44% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Cost of living comparison by city
#1 Madurai
The average cost of living in Madurai is 33,000 INR, which is 52% less than the country average. Madurai is ranked first in India in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#2 agra
The average cost of living in agra is 35,000 INR, which is 49% less than the country average. agra is ranked second in India in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#3 Vadodara
The average cost of living in Vadodara is 36,000 INR, which is 48% less than the country average. Vadodara is ranked third in India in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#4 Patna
The average cost of living in Patna is 37,000 INR, which is 46% less than the country average. Patna is ranked fourth in India in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#5 Ludhiana
The average cost of living in Ludhiana is 39,000 INR, which is 43% less than the country average. Ludhiana is ranked fifth in India in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#6 Ghaziabad
The average cost of living in Ghaziabad is 40,000 INR, which is 42% less than the country average. Ghaziabad is ranked sixth in India in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#7 Coimbatore
The average cost of living in Coimbatore is 41,000 INR, which is 41% less than the country average. Coimbatore is ranked seventh in India in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#8 Visakhapatnam
The average cost of living in Visakhapatnam is 43,000 INR, which is 38% less than the country average. Visakhapatnam is ranked eighth in India in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#9 Pimpri-Chinchwad
The average cost of living in Pimpri-Chinchwad is 44,000 INR, which is 36% less than the country average. Pimpri-Chinchwad is ranked ninth in India in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#10 Bhopal
The average cost of living in Bhopal is 46,000 INR, which is 33% less than the country average. Bhopal is ranked tenth in India in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#11 Indore
The average cost of living in Indore is 47,000 INR, which is 32% less than the country average. Indore is ranked eleventh in India in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#12 Nagpur
The average cost of living in Nagpur is 49,000 INR, which is 29% less than the country average. Nagpur is ranked twelfth in India in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#13 Kanpur
The average cost of living in Kanpur is 50,000 INR, which is 28% less than the country average. Kanpur is ranked thirteenth in India in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#14 Lucknow
The average cost of living in Lucknow is 52,000 INR, which is 25% less than the country average. Lucknow is ranked fourteenth in India in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#15 Jaipur
The average cost of living in Jaipur is 54,000 INR, which is 22% less than the country average. Jaipur is ranked fifteenth in India in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#16 Pune
The average cost of living in Pune is 56,000 INR, which is 19% less than the country average. Pune is ranked sixteenth in India in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#17 Surat
The average cost of living in Surat is 57,000 INR, which is 17% less than the country average. Surat is ranked seventeenth in India in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#18 Kolkata
The average cost of living in Kolkata is 59,000 INR, which is 14% less than the country average. Kolkata is ranked eighteenth in India in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#19 Chennai
The average cost of living in Chennai is 61,000 INR, which is 12% less than the country average. Chennai is ranked nineteenth in India in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#20 Ahmadabad
The average cost of living in Ahmadabad is 63,000 INR, which is 8.7% less than the country average. Ahmadabad is ranked twentyth in India in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#21 Hyderabad
The average cost of living in Hyderabad is 65,000 INR, which is 5.8% less than the country average. Hyderabad is ranked twenty-onth in India in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#22 Bangalore
The average cost of living in Bangalore is 67,000 INR, which is 2.9% less than the country average. Bangalore is ranked twenty-twoth in India in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#23 Delhi
The average cost of living in Delhi is 69,000 INR, which is same as the country average. Delhi is ranked twenty-threth in India in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#24 Mumbai
The average cost of living in Mumbai is 71,000 INR, which is 2.9% more than the country average. Mumbai is ranked twenty-fourth in India in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
Published: November 26, 2024 Last Update: April 26, 2025
