✦ Cost of living
Mumbai
Mumbai, India
US = 100
In plain terms: Mumbai is about 43% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $700/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing60−40%
- Food & groceries50−50%
- Transport45−55%
- Utilities85−15%
- Healthcare55−45%
- Goods & services56−44%
Is Mumbai expensive?
No — Mumbai is one of the cheap ones, indexing at 57 against a US average of 100: roughly 43% below a typical US city. The trade-offs usually show up in local wages, healthcare or infrastructure rather than in prices.
Of the 87 cities we track, Mumbai ranks #74 by overall cost — 13 of them are cheaper.
What a month in Mumbai costs
One person
$1,420/mo
A one-bedroom outside the centre, modest everyday spending.
Couple
$2,220/mo
A one-bedroom in the centre, two adults sharing the bills.
Family of four
$4,320/mo
A three-bedroom in the centre, two adults and two children.
| Monthly line | One person | Couple | Family of four |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $400 | $700 | $1,800 |
| Food & groceries | $230 | $340 | $560 |
| Transport | $270 | $400 | $670 |
| Utilities | $170 | $260 | $430 |
| Healthcare | $150 | $230 | $380 |
| Goods & services | $200 | $290 | $480 |
| Total per month | $1,420 | $2,220 | $4,320 |
Estimates, not quotes. Rent comes from this city's own figures; every other line is a US-average household basket (shaped by the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey) scaled by this city's category index. Your own total moves with the neighbourhood, your habits and whether you run a car. How we calculate these figures →
Good to know before you move to Mumbai
India's financial and Bollywood capital — intense, fast and cheap by global standards, if crowded and humid.
- Currency
- Indian rupee (₹ INR)
- Languages
- Hindi, English
- Time zone
- UTC+5.5
- Internet
- 70 Mbps
- English
- Widely spoken
- Safety
- 50/100
- Climate
- ❄ 24°C · ☀ 28°C · 200 sunny days/yr
- Tap water
- Bottled recommended
- Power
- C/D/M · 230V
- Driving
- Left-hand side
- Popular areas
- Bandra · Andheri · Lower Parel
About
“City of Dreams”
India's financial and Bollywood capital — intense, fast and cheap by global standards, if crowded and humid.
- Currency
- Indian rupee · INR
- Languages
- Hindi, English
- Coordinates
- 19.08, 72.88
- Emergency
- 112
What things cost
Housing
Taxes
30%
Income tax
progressive
18%
VAT / sales
25%
Corporate
$500
Avg net salary
per month
Plus surcharge + 4% cess (effective up to ~39%).
Visas & residency
Employment visa for skilled roles; long-term routes are limited.
✈ e-Visa for tourism from many countries.
Salary threshold applies.
Quality of life
Quality of life
50/100
Safety
50/100
Healthcare
60/100
Pollution
85/100
Internet
70 Mbps
Jan avg
+24 °C
Jul avg
+28 °C
Sunny days
200/yr
Walkability
60/100
Public transit
60/100
Family-friendly
55/100
Living there
- English spoken
- High
- Expat community
- Large
- Coworking spaces
- 80
- Tap water
- Not recommended
- Private health insurance
- $30/mo
Popular areas
Relocation & documents
Where to look
Updated: · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · Economy: World Bank Open Data (GDP per capita, life expectancy, inflation) · Minimum wage (EU + Türkiye): Eurostat earn_mw_cur, 2026-S2 · Taxes: national tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
Can you live in Mumbai without a car?
60/100
Car-free score
60/100
Walkability
60/100
Public transport
Mostly — at 60/100, Mumbai handles everyday trips on foot and by public transport, but a car still helps for weekend trips, bulk shopping and anything outside the built-up core.
Transport in Mumbai indexes at 45 against a US average of 100 — about 55% cheaper than a typical US city. That line covers fares, fuel and running a vehicle, so it is the one that moves most when you drop the car.
Mumbai ranks #63 of 87 cities we track for walkability. See the most walkable cities →
The car-free score is our own composite: 60% walkability, 40% public transport, both on a 0–100 scale. Like the rest of our quality-of-life figures, they are calibrated estimates, not official statistics.
Cost of living in Mumbai — in your currency
- 1-bed rent, city centre$700
- 1-bed rent, outside centre$400
- Inexpensive meal$3
- Monthly transit pass$15
- Utilities (monthly)$60
Converted from USD at approximate rates (2026-09).
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? Frequently asked questions
Is Mumbai, IN expensive to live in?
Mumbai, IN's cost-of-living index is 57 (US average = 100) — about 43% cheaper than a typical US city — and it ranks #74 of the 87 cities we track. On our estimates one person needs around $1,420 a month and a family of four around $4,320, rent included.
How much does it cost to live in Mumbai, IN?
Mumbai, IN's cost-of-living index is 57 (US average = 100) — about 43% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $700 per month.
What are the average living costs in Mumbai, IN?
Living costs in Mumbai, IN are about 43% cheaper than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 57 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $700. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in Mumbai, IN?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $700 per month, and around $400 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in India?
India has a top income-tax rate of 30% and a VAT or sales tax of 18%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Mumbai, IN?
Mumbai, IN averages around +24 °C in January and +28 °C in July, with roughly 200 sunny days a year.
Is Mumbai, IN safe?
Mumbai, IN scores 50 out of 100 on our safety index, where higher means safer.
Can you live in Mumbai, IN without a car?
Mumbai, IN scores 60/100 on our car-free score — 60/100 for walkability and 60/100 for public transport. The higher the score, the more of daily life you can cover on foot or by transit instead of paying to run a car.
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Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.