Cost of Living & Quality of Life in India (2026)
What everyday life costs in India — rent, utilities, eating out, transport and schooling — and how it scores on safety, health care, pollution and climate compared with Southern Asia.
- Quality of Life Index
- 111.8
- 2024
- Safety Index
- 55.7
- 2024
- Health Care Index
- 64.9
- 2024
- Rent: 1-bedroom, city centre
- $270/mo
- 2024
- Meal, inexpensive restaurant
- $2.38
- 2024
- Average monthly net salary
- $417
- 2024
Quality of life trends in India
Typical living costs in India
US dollars; national figures are medians/averages across cities reported to Numbeo.
| Indicator | Value | Year | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent: 1-bedroom, city centreAverage monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre | $270/mo | 2024 | +23.2% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Rent: 1-bedroom, outside centreAverage monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre | $136/mo | 2023 | +3.6% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Rent: 3-bedroom, city centreAverage monthly rent of a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre | $515/mo | 2023 | +8.0% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Utilities for an 85 m² apartmentElectricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage, monthly | $43.25/mo | 2023 | +6.0% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Internet (60 Mbps+)Unlimited broadband, monthly | $8.70/mo | 2023 | -7.2% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Mobile plan (calls + 10GB)Monthly mobile phone plan | $4.01/mo | 2023 | — | Numbeo |
| Meal, inexpensive restaurantCountry median of city prices | $2.38 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Dinner for two, mid-range restaurantThree-course meal for two, country median of city prices | $10.12 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| CappuccinoRegular cappuccino, country median of city prices | $1.55 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Public transport monthly passCountry median of city prices | $11.91 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Gasoline (1 litre)Country median of city prices | $1.23 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Fitness club membershipCountry median of city prices | $17.91/mo | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Private preschool (full day)Country median of city prices | $59.06/mo | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| International primary schoolCountry median of city prices | $741/yr | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Average monthly net salaryAverage monthly salary after tax | $417 | 2024 | -47.8% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
Quality of life indices
| Indicator | Value | Year | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality of Life IndexComposite index (higher is better) | 111.8 | 2024 | -5.2% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Safety IndexPerceived safety (higher is safer) | 55.7 | 2024 | +0.5% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Health Care IndexPerceived quality of the health care system | 64.9 | 2024 | -0.3% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Pollution IndexPerceived pollution (lower is better) | 72.8 | 2024 | -0.3% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Climate IndexClimate likeability (higher is more pleasant) | 63.3 | 2024 | -2.6% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Year | Quality of Life Index | Safety Index | Health Care Index | Pollution Index | Climate Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 111.8 | 55.7 | 64.9 | 72.8 | 63.3 |
| 2023 | 117.9 | 55.4 | 65.1 | 73 | 65 |
| 2022 | 111 | 55.4 | 65.7 | 73.1 | 65.1 |
| 2021 | 104.5 | 55.3 | 66.2 | 79.6 | 65.3 |
| 2020 | 108.6 | 56.7 | 67.1 | 78.9 | 64.9 |
| 2019 | 117.5 | 57.3 | 68.3 | 75.8 | 65.7 |
| 2018 | 122.1 | 55.8 | 67.4 | 75.9 | 65.7 |
| 2017 | 101.5 | 56 | 69.2 | 76.5 | 9.3 |
India compared with Southern Asia
| Country | Quality of Life Index | Safety Index | Health Care Index | Meal, inexpensive restaurant | Rent: 1-bedroom, city centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 111.8 | 55.7 | 64.9 | $2.38 | $270/mo |
| Bangladesh | 69.1 | 38.5 | 42.3 | $1.67 | $120/mo |
| Iran | 77.7 | 50.5 | 53 | $3.60 | $508/mo |
| Nepal | — | — | — | $1.49 | $203/mo |
| Pakistan | 104 | 56.8 | 59.8 | $1.79 | $96.27/mo |
| Sri Lanka | 76.9 | 57.9 | 71.1 | $3.31 | $205/mo |
Related
Source: Numbeo (indices and prices, crowd-sourced). Salary is the average monthly net wage.