Delhi vs London
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Delhi is ~72% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Delhi
India
COL+Rent
20.6
Rent Index
12.3
Groceries
26.2
Restaurant
20.4
London
United Kingdom
COL+Rent
72.9
Rent Index
56.2
Groceries
73.9
Restaurant
93.3
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Delhi | London | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $350 | $2,503 | $2,153 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $206 | $1,960 | $1,754 |
| Groceries | $106 | $422 | $316 |
| Restaurant Meal | $6 | $28 | $22 |
| Transit Pass | $12 | $113 | $101 |
| Utilities | $33 | $258 | $225 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Delhi | London |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $349/mo | $2,738/mo |
| Typical | $591/mo | $3,716/mo |
| Comfortable | $755/mo | $4,596/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Delhi | ≈ in London | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $5,308/mo | +$3,808 |
| $2,000/mo | $7,078/mo | +$5,078 |
| $3,000/mo | $10,617/mo | +$7,617 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Delhi vs London for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Delhi is approximately 72% more affordable than London when combining rent and daily living costs. Delhi's COL+Rent Index of 20.6 vs London's 72.9 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Delhi costs $350/month versus $2,503/month in London — giving Delhi a $2,153/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $25,836 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Delhi ($106/mo) vs London ($422/mo) reflect Delhi's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $6 vs $28 show Delhi is the better value for dining out. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Delhi offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $591 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.