Depending upon your lifestyle and standard of living, Mumbai can be one of the costliest cities, to live in India. The cost of living in Mumbai can differ for students, couples, families and bachelors, depending upon one’s spending habit, type of home ownership and commuting patterns. To give you a general idea, Housing.com News compiles a detailed list of expenses that you may incur for various things, including food, commute, lodging, etc.
Cost of living in Mumbai
To analyse the cost of living in Mumbai, we estimated various types of expenditure that a family has to bear to live in the city. The below evaluation is on the basis of cost of owning/renting a home, commuting, cost of eating out, electricity bill, internet expenses, cost of schooling, car fuel and bare minimum cost of buying fruits and vegetables.
| Type of expense | Average cost |
| Meal for two, in an average restaurant | Rs 1,500 |
| Monthly pass for local transport | Rs 400 |
| Taxi fare (per km) | Rs 22 |
| Car fuel | Rs 79 |
| Electricity bill (basic utility- electricity, cooling, heating) for an 850-sq ft apartment | Rs 3,800 |
| Broadband (average speed of 60 MBPS) | Rs 750 |
| Monthly gym membership | Rs 2,000 |
| Monthly school fee (primary) | Rs 2,500 – Rs 15,000 |
| Rent of 1BHK | Rs 25,000 – Rs 35,000 |
| Cost of 1BHK | Rs 1.5 crores – Rs 2 crores |
| Fruit (1kg) | Rs 150 |
| Vegetables (Potato, onion, lettuce) | Rs 100 |
Source: Numbeo.com
Mumbai: India’s most expensive city
According to Mercer’s 2021 Cost of Living Survey, Mumbai remains the most expensive city for expats in India and among the top 20 in Asia. However, Mumbai slipped to the 78th position, this year. After Mumbai, which dropped from 60th to 78th, New Delhi dropped 16 places this year and Chennai was down 15 places. Bengaluru gained one place while Kolkata gained four spots.
Cost of living in Mumbai for bachelors
Average rent and buying price: If you are a bachelor, you can opt for co-living spaces in Mumbai, which would cost you Rs 10,000-20,000 per bed, depending upon the facilities available and location. This could go up to Rs 30,000 per month if you are opting for a meal facility.
Household cost: Since most of the facilities and amenities are included in co-living accommodations, you will not have to pay additional charges, such as maintenance, electricity or Wi-Fi bills. However, if you are opting for an independent living option, you may have to shell out Rs 5,000 per month extra, to meet the additional expenses.
Transportation cost: Mumbai is well connected via the local train network and BEST buses. A monthly pass would vary between Rs 300 and Rs 700, according to the comfort you seek (AC/Non-AC) and the distance you travel each day.
Lifestyle cost: Depending upon how frequently you go out, the lifestyle cost may vary accordingly. A movie ticket costs Rs 300 per person while eating out in a budget hotel may cost Rs 300 – Rs 500 per person.
| Average rent for bachelors | Rs 10,000 – Rs 20,000 per month |
| Household cost | Rs 5,000 per month |
| Transportation cost | Rs 300 – Rs 700 per month |
| Lifestyle cost | Rs 2,000 – Rs 4,000 per month |
Cost of living in Mumbai for a family with children
Average rent and buying price: If you want to rent a 2BHK apartment in Mumbai, a little away from the city center or in the suburbs, you have to spend around Rs 40,000-50,000 per month. Thane and Navi Mumbai are two distant suburbs of Mumbai where property prices are affordable but you would have to spend more on commuting. If you want to buy a 2BHK apartment in Mumbai in the western suburbs, you need to shell out at least Rs 2.5 crores.
Household cost: A household which includes a working couple and a child, will have expenses such as food, clothing, school fees, maid salary, maintenance charges and other lifestyle-related expenditure. This could vary between Rs 25,000 and Rs 30,000, depending upon various factors. For childcare services, you would have to spend on full-time daycare or nannies, if your child is in pre-school. This may cost you around Rs 5,000-10,000 per month, depending upon the quality of the services. An international primary school will cost you around Rs 1.5 lakhs – Rs 4 lakhs per year.
Transportation cost: If you travel in a private vehicle, you might need to spend on car fuel which could be anywhere between Rs 5,000 and Rs 6,000 per month, depending upon the distance you travel. You will have to spend on parking charges as well, if your office or society does not have free parking.
| Average rent for family | Rs 40,000 – Rs 50,000 per month |
| Household cost | Rs 25,000 per month |
| Transportation cost | Up to Rs 20,000 per month |
Cost of living in Mumbai for couples
Average rent and buying price: If you are looking to rent a 1BHK apartment in Mumbai, you may need to shell out Rs 30,000-60,000 per month, depending upon the property size, location, housing society, property type and amenities available. If you wish to buy a 1BHK property in Mumbai, it will cost you around Rs 80 lakhs – Rs 1.5 crores, depending upon the location and quality of construction. You may need to shell out more, if you want to stay closer to the city.
Household cost: The usual cost will include maintenance charges, cook/maid salary, electricity and Wi-Fi bill, etc. This will not exceed Rs 15,000, depending upon the housing society, number of appliances and other factors.
Transportation: If you commute via public transport system, the expenses might vary between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000, depending upon the comfort you opt for. If you own one vehicle, the fuel cost will be around Rs 5,000 – Rs 6,000. If you use two vehicles, the transportation cost will include additional car parking charges, cleaning cost and car maintenance cost, along with fuel charges, which will add up to Rs 20,000 a month.
| Average rent for family | Rs 30,000 – Rs 60,000 per month |
| Household cost | Rs 15,000 per month |
| Transportation cost | Up to Rs 20,000 per month |
Where do students stay in Mumbai?
Mumbai is an expensive destination and finding a well-connected locality can be difficult for students. However, there are a few localities where students can find affordable options, including rented apartments and PG and shared accommodations.
| Locality | Average rent per month |
| Parel / Lower Parel | Rs 18,000 |
| Navi Mumbai | Rs 20,000 |
| Thane | Rs 18,000 |
| Chembur | Rs 12,000 |
| Powai | Rs 20,000 |
Source: Housing.com
Property prices in Mumbai
| Configuration | Average rent (in western suburbs) | Average property price (in western suburbs) |
| 1BHK | Rs 30,000 | Rs 1.5 crores |
| 2BHK | Rs 50,000 | Rs 2.5 crores |
| 3BHK | Rs 80,000 | Rs 4 crores |
Source: Housing.com
Average salary in Mumbai
Depending upon the industry and position, the average salary can vary as per one’s skills and location. According to LinkedIn, a social network for professionals, the average salary in Mumbai is Rs 4.4 lakhs per annum. This can go up to Rs 8.5 lakhs.
Average salary as per industry
| Industry | Average salary per annum |
| Finance | Rs 7.1 lakhs |
| Energy and mining | Rs 6.5 lakhs |
| Recreation and travel | Rs 6.3 lakhs |
| Entertainment | Rs 6 lakhs |
| Transportation and logistics | Rs 5.5 lakhs |
Source: LinkedIn
Average salary as per field of study
| Field of study | Average salary per annum |
| Civil engineering | Rs 5.9 lakhs |
| Mathematics | Rs 5.8 lakhs |
| Electronics | Rs 5.4 lakhs |
| Electrical engineering | Rs 5.3 lakhs |
| Computer programming | Rs 5.2 lakhs |
Source: LinkedIn
Healthcare in Mumbai
In a recently released report, titled ‘State of Healthcare in India’ by Housing.com, the Mumbai Metropolitan stood fourth with parameters such as the number of beds, air quality and liveability pulling its overall score down. Below are the findings shared by Numbeo.com on the state of healthcare in Mumbai.
| Component of healthcare surveyed | Satisfaction % | |
| Skill and competency of medical staff | 72.36 | High |
| Speed in completing examination and reports | 71.57 | High |
| Equipment for modern diagnosis and treatment | 73.23 | High |
| Accuracy and completeness in filling out reports | 71.22 | High |
| Friendliness and courtesy of the staff | 64.06 | High |
| Satisfaction with responsiveness (waitings) in medical institutions | 53.98 | Moderate |
| Satisfaction with cost to you | 56.18 | Moderate |
| Convenience of location for you | 73.85 | High |
Source: Numbeo
Is rent expensive in Mumbai?
The cost of renting a home in Mumbai will vary from one locality to another. There is a wide range of options available for home seekers. The average rent per month in localities such as Thane and Navi Mumbai can be quite affordable, ranging between Rs 7000 and Rs 15,000. However, the rent in expensive localities like Juhu, south Mumbai, etc., can be around Rs 50,000 to above Rs 1 lakh, depending on the location.
Is it worth living in Mumbai?
It depends on your outlook and the lifestyle you seek. Mumbai is certainly one of the most expensive cities in India to live in and to attain a decent quality life, you may have to earn a higher package as compared to what you will need in other cities. With that being said, Mumbai has a lot of opportunities and the starting salaries are also comparatively higher than any other city. Moreover, the city has a decent green cover, open spaces and a strong public transportation system. With remote working in place, you will be able to save a lot of time. Regions like Navi Mumbai and Thane offer a better quality of life, owing to more open spaces and greenery and less congested roads than Mumbai. Ultimately, it depends on your job and the salary you are earning.
List of affordable areas in Mumbai
For buying:
| Areaa | Average property price (per sq ft) |
| Mira Road east | Rs 8,521 |
| Thane west | Rs 13,342 |
| Ulwe | Rs 6,463 |
| Virar west | Rs 5,502 |
| Kharghar | Rs 7,666 |
| Dombivali east | Rs 6,163 |
| Andheri west | Rs 24,045 |
| Kalyan west | Rs 6,892 |
| Chembur | Rs 22,936 |
| Borivali west | Rs 21,712 |
Source: Housing.com
For renting:
| Area | Average rent |
| Thane west | Rs 12,379 |
| Andheri east | Rs 24,701 |
| Chembur | Rs 23,716 |
| Andheri west | Rs 29,054 |
| Kharghar | Rs 10,293 |
Source: Housing.com
List of posh areas in Mumbai
| Area | Average property price (per sq ft) | Average rent per month |
| Malabar Hill | Rs 51,480 | Rs 4.5 lakhs |
| Cuffe Parade | Rs 48,750 | Rs 3 lakhs |
| Tardeo | Rs 47,786 | Rs 2.5 lakhs |
| Juhu | Rs 44,442 | Rs 1.75 lakhs |
| Bandra west | Rs 42,691 | Rs 95,000 |
| Worli | Rs 37,013 | Rs 80,000 |
Source: Housing.com
Cost of living in Mumbai: Summary
As per the data available with Numbeo, the following points can be used to summarise the cost of living in Mumbai:
- For a family of four, the estimated monthly costs are Rs 1 lakh approximately, without rent.
- For a single person, the estimated monthly costs are Rs 30,000 without rent.
- The cost of living in Mumbai is 8% more than the cost of living in Delhi. In terms of housing, house rent in Mumbai is 136% higher than in Delhi, as per Numbeo data.
