London vs Delhi
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Delhi is ~72% 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
Delhi
India
COL+Rent
20.6
Rent Index
12.3
Groceries
26.2
Restaurant
20.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | London | Delhi | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,503 | $350 | +$2,153 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,960 | $206 | +$1,754 |
| Groceries | $422 | $106 | +$316 |
| Restaurant Meal | $28 | $6 | +$22 |
| Transit Pass | $113 | $12 | +$101 |
| Utilities | $258 | $33 | +$225 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | London | Delhi |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,738/mo | $349/mo |
| Typical | $3,716/mo | $591/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,596/mo | $755/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in London | ≈ in Delhi | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $424/mo | -$1,076 |
| $2,000/mo | $565/mo | -$1,435 |
| $3,000/mo | $848/mo | -$2,152 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: London vs Delhi for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Delhi is approximately 72% more affordable than London when combining rent and daily living costs. London's COL+Rent Index of 72.9 vs Delhi's 20.6 (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 $350/month in Delhi — 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 London ($422/mo) vs Delhi ($106/mo) reflect Delhi's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $28 vs $6 show Delhi 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, 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.