Cost Of Living For a Family in Chennai 2025

Family cost of living chart - average monthly expenditure in Chennai

Average monthly spending for families in Chennai

We consider a family to be a member of four members, two adults and two children. This is the most common type of family. From the figures below, it should be fairly easy to calculate the average spending for families of different sizes.

Average Monthly Expenditure

Currency: INR
19,000 95,000 950,000
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$230 $1,100 $11,000

How much money does a family need in a month to survive in Chennai?

Families in Chennai spend around 95,000 INR per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a family can survive with a monthly budget as low as 19,000 INR or as high as 950,000 INR. Location and income are very important factors and have a huge influence on expenditure and budget.

Income and cost of living compatibility. Is it affordable or economical for families to live in Chennai

Affordable living in Chennai

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked families one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Chennai?


Yes
49%
No
51%

Around 49% of surveyed families think that living in Chennai is affordable with proper budgeting while 51% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Prices and cost of goods and services in Chennai

Chart showing the prices and cost of grocery, food, restaurant meals, market, and beverages in Chennai

Dining, food, and beverages costs


Fast food combo meal

73 INR 150 INR 240 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.88 $1.8 $2.9

Restaurant meal for one

250 INR 370 INR 750 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3 $4.5 $9

Fine dining meal for one

490 INR 730 INR 2,900 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.9 $8.8 $35

Cappuccino or latte

62 INR 99 INR 150 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.75 $1.2 $1.8

Grocery and market costs


Milk large bottle

50 INR 60 INR 75 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.60 $0.72 $0.90

12 eggs

37 INR 49 INR 73 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.44 $0.59 $0.88

Fresh whole chicken

85 INR 110 INR 160 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1 $1.3 $1.9

Pack of beef

100 INR 150 INR 310 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.2 $1.8 $3.7

Medium bag of rice

39 INR 53 INR 76 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.47 $0.64 $0.91

Bag of tomatos

15 INR 20 INR 37 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.18 $0.24 $0.44

Bag of apples

26 INR 35 INR 57 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.32 $0.42 $0.69
Chart showing the prices and cost of commute, travel, and transportation in Chennai

Commute, travel, and transportation costs


20 minutes taxi ride

63 INR 75 INR 150 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.75 $0.90 $1.8

Average car full tank

370 INR 490 INR 980 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.4 $5.9 $12

Average car 1-day rental

350 INR 470 INR 710 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.3 $5.7 $8.5

Average car price

180,000 INR 360,000 INR 480,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2,200 $4,300 $5,800

Bus ticket one way

12 INR 18 INR 36 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.14 $0.22 $0.43

Car Service

480 INR 720 INR 1,400 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.8 $8.7 $17
Chart showing the prices and cost of utility, energy, water, and gas for a family in Chennai

Utility cost (monthly)


Utility Bill - Family

860 INR 4,300 INR 43,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$10 $52 $520

Internet and cable

380 INR 750 INR 1,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.5 $9 $12

Mobile phone charges

270 INR 450 INR 1,400 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.3 $5.4 $16

Leisure and activities costs


Movie ticket

170 INR 230 INR 350 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.1 $2.8 $4.2

One month gym membership

590 INR 740 INR 1,500 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$7.2 $8.9 $18
Chart showing the prices and cost of clothing and accessories in Chennai

Cloths and accessories costs


Pair of jeans or pants

440 INR 630 INR 940 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.3 $7.5 $11

Woman dress

420 INR 580 INR 1,900 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.1 $7 $23

Woman shoes

390 INR 520 INR 1,200 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.6 $6.3 $15

Men's shoes

340 INR 410 INR 820 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.1 $5 $9.9

Men suit

380 INR 470 INR 2,500 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.5 $5.7 $30

Regular t-shirt

190 INR 250 INR 760 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$2.3 $3.1 $9.2
Chart showing the prices and cost of housing, accommodation, and rent in Chennai

Housing costs / monthly rent


Studio apartment

6,600 INR 9,800 INR 26,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$79 $120 $320

1-bedroom apartment

10,000 INR 16,000 INR 40,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$120 $190 $480

2-bedroom apartment

13,000 INR 20,000 INR 54,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$160 $240 $650

Housing costs / Buying


Studio apartment

1.3M INR 2M INR 4M INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$16,000 $24,000 $49,000

1-bedroom apartment

1.6M INR 2.7M INR 10M INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$20,000 $33,000 $120,000

2-bedroom apartment

2.6M INR 7.9M INR 16M INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$32,000 $95,000 $190,000
Chart showing the prices and cost of furniture in Chennai

Furniture Costs


King Size Bed

7,300 INR 9,100 INR 12,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$88 $110 $150

Double Bed

4,900 INR 7,400 INR 9,200 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$59 $89 $110

Single Bed

4,400 INR 5,700 INR 7,500 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$53 $69 $90

Living Room

8,400 INR 11,000 INR 38,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$100 $130 $460

Dining Table

3,600 INR 4,900 INR 9,100 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$44 $59 $110

Sofa or Couch

4,900 INR 6,700 INR 15,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$59 $81 $180
Chart showing the prices and cost of electronic devices and appliances in Chennai

Electronics and House Appliance Costs


TV Set

4,900 INR 7,400 INR 15,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$59 $89 $180

Fridge or Freezer

4,400 INR 6,800 INR 9,400 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$53 $82 $110

Washing Machine

5,600 INR 8,000 INR 14,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$67 $97 $170

Stove or Cooker

5,200 INR 6,600 INR 9,100 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$63 $80 $110

Mobile Phone

6,200 INR 7,400 INR 11,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$74 $89 $130

Laptop or Computer

6,800 INR 8,300 INR 15,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$82 $100 $180
Distribution of monthly cost of living expenses of a family in Chennai

How do families spend their money in Chennai?

We asked thousands of families about their spending habits and expenditure break down.


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 and accomodation expenditure for families

Accomodation Cost24%

24% of total expenses on average (19% to 34%)

LOW$70   5,800 INR
AVERAGE$350   29,000 INR
HIGH$3,500   290,000 INR
Per Month

Families in Chennai typically spend from 19% to 34% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 24% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 29,000 INR with expenditure ranging from 5,800 INR to 290,000 INR. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.

Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for families

Cost of utilities6%

6% of total expenses on average (4% to 9%)

LOW$10   860 INR
AVERAGE$52   4,300 INR
HIGH$520   43,000 INR
Per Month

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Chennai ranges from 4% to 9% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most families. The average monthly cost of utilities is 4,300 INR with 860 INR and 43,000 INR being the upper and lower limits for a family of four.

Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for families

Cost of transport and fuel4%

4% of total expenses on average (2% to 6%)

LOW$21   1,800 INR
AVERAGE$110   8,900 INR
HIGH$1,100   89,000 INR
Per Month

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a family resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a family would expect to spend from 1,800 INR to 89,000 INR in a month on commuting with 8,900 INR being the norm for most families. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 4% of total spending on average but can go as low as 2% or as high as 6%.

Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for families

Food and Groceries Cost22%

22% of total expenses on average (15% to 28%)

LOW$38   3,200 INR
AVERAGE$190   16,000 INR
HIGH$1,900   160,000 INR
Per Month

The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical family in a month in Chennai is 16,000 INR. The cost of groceries can range between 3,200 INR to 160,000 INR. Families spend on average about 22% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 15% and 28% respectively.

Healthcare and medical services expenditure for families

Cost of healthcare12%

12% of total expenses on average (8% to 17%)

LOW$18   1,500 INR
AVERAGE$100   8,300 INR
HIGH$800   66,000 INR
Per Month

Families in Chennai allocate 8% to 17% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 12%. The range of medical expenses range from 1,500 INR to 66,000 INR with 8,300 INR being the norm for most families.

Leisure and shopping expenditure for families

Cost of leisure and shopping2%

2% of total expenses on average (1% to 6%)

LOW$11   880 INR
AVERAGE$53   4,400 INR
HIGH$530   44,000 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 880 INR to 44,000 INR with 4,400 INR being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 1% to 6% of total expenses with an average of 2% for most families.

Education and schooling expenditure for families

Cost of education and schooling13%

13% of total expenses on average (6% to 21%)

LOW$30   2,500 INR
AVERAGE$150   12,000 INR
HIGH$1,500   120,000 INR
Per Month

Spending on education can vary drastically between different families. On average, education constitutes 13% of the monthly expenditure of families with 6% and 21% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 12,000 INR per month with 2,500 INR being the minimum spent amount and 120,000 INR being the maximum.

Other Expenses17%

17% of total expenses on average (10% to 22%)

LOW$17   1,400 INR
AVERAGE$87   7,200 INR
HIGH$870   72,000 INR
Per Month
Family cost of living and expenditure to income ratio in Chennai

Family expenditure to income ratio in Chennai

Analysing the how affordable it is for families to live in Chennai

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. Families usually spend a larger chunk of their income than other population groups. A typical and healthy expenditure percentage for a family of four ranges between 70% to 80%.


Spending to Income Ratio

96%

88% to 110%

( expenditure / income ) x 100


Families in Chennai spend around 96% of their monthly income. Some families spend as low as 88% of their income while some as high as 110%.

Percentage of families who manage to save money from their income every month in Chennai

What percentage of families in Chennai are able to save money and how much can they save?


Percentage of families that reported their ability to save money


Saving Money
50%
Not Saving
50%

Almost 50% of surveyed families in Chennai said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 50% reported that they have to utilize their whole income to survive.


Family savings to income ratio in Chennai

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.


How much money do families manage to add to their savings?

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.

Saving to Income Ratio

11% 18% of income 30%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Average Monthly Saved Amount

5,600 INR
$67
28,000 INR
$340
280,000 INR
$3,400
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Saving To Income Ratio% Families
0% - 10%41%
10% - 20%32%
20% - 30%21%
30% - 40%3%
40% - 50%2%
> 50%1%

Interpretation and Analysis

Families that are able to save money can put anywhere from 11% to 30% of their monthly income to their savings, with 18% being the average for most families. The average monthly amount of money that families can put aside is 28,000 INR with 5,600 INR and 280,000 INR being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Reasons that make it difficult for families to save money in Chennai

Saving Challenges in Chennai

Reasons that make it difficult for families to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping families from maximizing their savings in Chennai. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.


Reason% People
Low Income4%
High Expenses7%
Debt and Loans11%
Lack of Budgeting Skills12%
Impulsive Spending13%
Financial Emergencies7%
Living the moment5%
Will do it later23%
Inflation15%
Social Pressure2%
Market Instability2%

Around 4% of the families 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. 11% 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. 13% of families 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. 23% 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. 15% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 2% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 2% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Where do families choose to put their savings in Chennai

Typical saving choices for families in Chennai

Where do people choose to put their savings?


Saving Type% People
Emergency Funds13%
Gold14%
Savings Accounts16%
Retirement Accounts9%
Cash Savings23%
Real Estate9%
Investment5%
Stocks3%
Bonds4%
Mutual Funds2%
Certificates of Deposit2%
A typical and healthy budgeting structure. The 50-30-20 rule

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.

How easily is cost-cutting for families. Are there plenty of low-cost options in Chennai

Low-cost alternatives in Chennai

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 families 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 families living in Chennai 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.

Emergency Funds For Families

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 families whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes49%

No51%


Based on the survey, 51% of the families living in Chennai said that they don't have an emergency fund while 49% said that they do.

Financial literacy and difficulty in budgeting and financial planning for families in Chennai

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 family guardians and parents in Chennai 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 families 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 and targets of families living in Chennai

Financial goals of families in Chennai

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Chennai, 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 Fund9%
Debt Reduction48%
Retirement Savings12%
Education Funding6%
Homeownership19%
Investing5%
Travel or Lifestyle4%
Healthcare Expenses16%
Financial Independence3%

Around 9% of families said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 48% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 12% 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. 5% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 4% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 16% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Chennai

Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.


Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Chennai

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

860 INR 4,300 INR 43,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$10 $52 $520

Internet and cable cost

380 INR 750 INR 1,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$4.5 $9 $12

Mobile phone bill and charges

270 INR 450 INR 1,400 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3.3 $5.4 $16

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 energy and water consumption of families is around 4,300 INR. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 380 INR to 1,000 INR with 750 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


3.3% 6.5% of income 11%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average utility-to-income ratio in Chennai is around 6.5%. This means that people pay 6.5% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 3.3% to 11% depending on salary and location.

Chart showing the percentage of families who are in debt in Chennai

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Chennai


Percentage of families who are in debt


In Debt
27%
Debt Free
73%

According to the survey, 27% of the families in Chennai have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 73% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.


Chart showing debt-to-income ratio in Chennai

Debt-to-income ratio in Chennai

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 a family's monthly income in Chennai goes to debt settlement.


Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

Debt-to-income ratio% People
> 60%4%
50% - 60%21%
40% - 50%16%
30% - 40%18%
20% - 30%8%
10% - 20%9%
0% - 10%24%

According to our data, 4% of the debtors in Chennai pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 21% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 16% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 18% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 8% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.


Distribution by type of debt in Chennai

Debt% People
Real Estate Mortgage6%
Auto Loan11%
Student Loan4%
Credit Card32%
Personal Loan46%

6% of debtors in Chennai confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 32% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 11% of people and personal loans rose at 46%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 4% of debtors in Chennai.


About credit score and debt management

Managing 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 Chennai

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked families 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
Never48%
Once a year25%
Twice a year13%
Three times a year9%
Four times a year5%
Housing and accommodation affordability, property price to income ratio, rent to income ratio, and housing affordability index chart in Chennai

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Chennai

Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Rent Cost in Chennai

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

6,600 INR 9,800 INR 26,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$79 $120 $320

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

10,000 INR 16,000 INR 40,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$120 $190 $480

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

13,000 INR 20,000 INR 54,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$160 $240 $650

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

16,000 INR 27,000 INR 74,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$200 $330 $900

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

32,000 INR 80,000 INR 160,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$380 $960 $1,900

Townhouse monthly rent cost

26,000 INR 39,000 INR 110,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$320 $480 $1,400

House monthly rent cost

32,000 INR 80,000 INR 160,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$390 $960 $1,900

Villa monthly rent cost

39,000 INR 98,000 INR 160,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$480 $1,200 $1,900

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Chennai ranges between 6,600 INR and 26,000 INR, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 10,000 INR to 40,000 INR. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 13,000 INR and 54,000 INR per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 16,000 INR to 74,000 INR. The average rent of a townhouse in Chennai is around 39,000 INR while house rental costs can be as high as 80,000 INR per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 39,000 INR to 160,000 INR per month.



Apartment and house prices in Chennai

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

1.3M INR 2M INR 4M INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$16,000 $24,000 $49,000

1-bedroom apartment price

1.6M INR 2.7M INR 10M INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$20,000 $33,000 $120,000

2-bedroom apartment price

2.6M INR 7.9M INR 16M INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$32,000 $95,000 $190,000

3-bedroom apartment price

8.9M INR 13M INR 40M INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$110,000 $160,000 $480,000

Townhouse price

12M INR 27M INR 100M INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$140,000 $330,000 $1.2M

House price

14M INR 82M INR 120M INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$160,000 $990,000 $1.4M

Villa price

16M INR 91M INR 140M INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$200,000 $1.1M $1.6M

The average price of a studio apartment in Chennai can range from 1.3M INR to 4M INR depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 1.6M INR to 10M INR. A villa can cost you 91M INR on average with prices ranging from 16M INR to 140M INR.


If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Chennai 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


39 x110 monthly income 230
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

Property prices in Chennai can be x110 to x230 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x110 multiples of the average monthly salary in Chennai.



Rent to income ratio


Rent to income ratio

( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100


21% 32% of income 43%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average rent-to-income ratio in Chennai is around 32%. This means that people pay 32% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 21% to 43% 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.


FROM
1.9%
AVERAGE
2.9%
TO
3.9%

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.


120 INR 1,200 INR 18,000 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

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.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Chennai

Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.


Prices and cost of goods and services in Chennai

Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.

Fast food combo meal price

73 INR 150 INR 240 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.88 $1.8 $2.9

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Chennai is approximatly 150 INR with meal cost ranging from 73 INR to 240 INR. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

250 INR 370 INR 750 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$3 $4.5 $9

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 250 INR and 750 INR with 370 INR being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Chennai.

Fine dining meal for one price

490 INR 730 INR 2,900 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$5.9 $8.8 $35

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 490 INR to 2,900 INR with the average cost being 730 INR for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Chennai.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

62 INR 99 INR 150 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.75 $1.2 $1.8

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Chennai is around 99 INR. Price ranges between 62 INR and 150 INR depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.



Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

50 INR 60 INR 75 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.60 $0.72 $0.90

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Chennai is 60 INR. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 75 INR and the minimum being 50 INR depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

37 INR 49 INR 73 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.44 $0.59 $0.88

A dozen eggs costs around 49 INR on average with 37 INR and 73 INR being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

85 INR 110 INR 160 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1 $1.3 $1.9

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Chennai is between 85 INR and 160 INR depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 110 INR.

Pack of beef price

100 INR 150 INR 310 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$1.2 $1.8 $3.7

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 150 INR. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

39 INR 53 INR 76 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.47 $0.64 $0.91

A bag of rice in Chennai costs around 53 INR on average with prices rangeing between 39 INR and 76 INR depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

15 INR 20 INR 37 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.18 $0.24 $0.44

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 15 INR to 37 INR. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

26 INR 35 INR 57 INR
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM
$0.32 $0.42 $0.69

A bag of apples costs 35 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


20% 29% of income 35%
MINIMUM AVERAGE MAXIMUM

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Chennai is around 29%. This means that families spend 29% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 20% to 35% depending on salary and location.


Expenditure on food and grocery for families

Families' spending on grocery ranges from 3,200 INR to 160,000 INR with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.

Published: November 8, 2024   Last Update: May 24, 2025



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