Delhi vs Mumbai
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Delhi is ~18% 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
Mumbai
India
COL+Rent
25
Rent Index
16.2
Groceries
30.9
Restaurant
25
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Delhi | Mumbai | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $350 | $462 | $112 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $206 | $272 | $66 |
| Groceries | $106 | $125 | $19 |
| Restaurant Meal | $6 | $7 | $1 |
| Transit Pass | $12 | $14 | $2 |
| Utilities | $33 | $39 | $6 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Delhi | Mumbai |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $349/mo | $441/mo |
| Typical | $591/mo | $745/mo |
| Comfortable | $755/mo | $944/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Delhi | ≈ in Mumbai | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,820/mo | +$320 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,427/mo | +$427 |
| $3,000/mo | $3,641/mo | +$641 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Delhi vs Mumbai for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Delhi is approximately 18% more affordable than Mumbai when combining rent and daily living costs. Delhi's COL+Rent Index of 20.6 vs Mumbai's 25 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a relatively small gap, meaning the decision between these cities often comes down to lifestyle preferences rather than pure cost.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Delhi costs $350/month versus $462/month in Mumbai — giving Delhi a $112/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, the rent difference is modest and may be offset by other cost categories.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Delhi ($106/mo) vs Mumbai ($125/mo) reflect Delhi's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $6 vs $7 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.