London vs Bangalore
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Bangalore is ~70% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
London
United Kingdom
COL+Rent
72.9
Rent Index
56.2
Groceries
73.9
Restaurant
93.3
Bangalore
India
COL+Rent
21.8
Rent Index
13.2
Groceries
27.6
Restaurant
21.7
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | London | Bangalore | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,503 | $378 | +$2,125 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,960 | $223 | +$1,737 |
| Groceries | $422 | $112 | +$310 |
| Restaurant Meal | $28 | $6 | +$22 |
| Transit Pass | $113 | $13 | +$100 |
| Utilities | $258 | $35 | +$223 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | London | Bangalore |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,738/mo | $373/mo |
| Typical | $3,716/mo | $628/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,596/mo | $797/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in London | ≈ in Bangalore | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $449/mo | -$1,051 |
| $2,000/mo | $598/mo | -$1,402 |
| $3,000/mo | $897/mo | -$2,103 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: London vs Bangalore for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Bangalore is approximately 70% more affordable than London when combining rent and daily living costs. London's COL+Rent Index of 72.9 vs Bangalore's 21.8 (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 London costs $2,503/month versus $378/month in Bangalore — giving Bangalore a $2,125/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $25,500 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in London ($422/mo) vs Bangalore ($112/mo) reflect Bangalore's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $28 vs $6 show Bangalore offers cheaper dining. 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, Bangalore offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $628 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.