Cost of living in Delhi

Expats who move to India’s capital tend to find the cost of living in Delhi far lower than in comparable cities in North America or Europe. Mumbai is pricier, and the gap is widest for rent. Local food and public transport are cheap by Western standards, and many expat households employ a cook, a cleaner, a nanny, or a driver for a fraction of what they’d pay at home.

The big expenses are international school fees, private healthcare, imported groceries, and rent in the most sought-after neighbourhoods. Try to negotiate allowances for these costs with your employer before you sign a contract.

Cost of accommodation in Delhi

Rent is likely to be one of your largest outgoings, but the cost of accommodation in Delhi is reasonable by the standards of big cities in Europe or North America. Even the upscale areas are affordable by comparison. Newcomers from smaller Indian cities may find rents in central and sought-after neighbourhoods steep.

Rents are highest in central and south Delhi’s leafy colonies, and Golf Links, Jor Bagh, Shanti Niketan, and Vasant Vihar are all at the top end. Landlords ask less the further you go from the centre, and Noida, which is across the Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh, is cheaper still. Gurugram is a satellite city in neighbouring Haryana. Many multinationals have offices there, and rents in its newer high-rise complexes are among the highest in the capital region.

Your landlord will likely ask for a security deposit of two to three months’ rent, and the broker’s commission will be somewhere from a half to a full month’s rent. Most leases are for 11 months, and landlords commonly raise the rent whenever you renew.

You’ll also need to budget for electricity, water, internet, and building maintenance charges. Electricity bills are generally lower than in Western cities, but there’s a spike when summer temperatures regularly exceed 104°F (40°C) and air conditioners are on day and night.

Most expat households also buy air purifiers for the smoggy winter months. A reverse-osmosis water filter is standard too, since Delhi’s tap water isn’t safe to drink.

Renting Accommodation in Delhi
Best and Worst Areas and Suburbs in Delhi

Cost of transport in Delhi

Commuters who stick to the metro can keep the cost of transport in Delhi pleasantly low. The Delhi Metro is cheap and efficient, and the network has more than 285 stations across Delhi and its satellite cities. There’s also an express line to the airport. Regular riders should buy a smart card, as cardholders get a discount on every trip and a bigger one outside peak hours.

Fares on the city’s buses are even lower, and most of the fleet is now air-conditioned and electric. The buses are often packed and uncomfortable at peak hours, though, and newcomers may find the routes hard to work out.

Auto rickshaws and e-rickshaws are the usual choice for short hops and the last stretch from a metro station. Many drivers won’t use the meter, so you’ll need to agree on a fare before you set off. You’ll see the price upfront and skip the haggle if you book an auto or e-rickshaw through a taxi app such as Uber or Rapido. In the narrow lanes of Old Delhi, a cycle rickshaw is still the most practical ride, and the fare is up for negotiation.

Plenty of expat families hire a full-time driver rather than take on Delhi’s chaotic traffic themselves, and a driver’s salary is a fraction of what it would be in the West.

Getting Around in Delhi

Cost of groceries in Delhi

The cost of groceries in Delhi is low for those who shop like locals. Fruit, vegetables, lentils, and staples such as rice and wheat flour are cheap, and fresh produce prices are usually lower at neighbourhood markets than at supermarkets. Many Delhi residents order groceries through quick-delivery apps such as Blinkit and Zepto, and riders often arrive within minutes.

Imported foodstuffs are considerably pricier. The specialist grocers in INA Market and Khan Market have stocked imported goods for diplomats and expats for decades, and several upmarket malls have gourmet supermarkets.

Cost of entertainment and eating out in Delhi

Whether you’re after street food or white-tablecloth dinners, the cost of entertainment and eating out in Delhi is kind to your wallet. You can eat well at a street stall in Chandni Chowk for pocket change, and the bill for a three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant is a fraction of what it would be in London or New York. The city’s top restaurants are pricey by local standards, but many expats still consider them a bargain.

Hauz Khas Village, Khan Market, Connaught Place, and Gurugram’s Cyber Hub are the best-known areas for restaurants and bars. Alcohol is the main exception to the low prices. Taxes on alcohol in India are steep, and bars often charge as much for a couple of beers as for a casual meal.

Lifestyle in Delhi

Cost of education in Delhi

School fees are the biggest part of the cost of education in Delhi for expat parents, most of whom choose private or international schools. Few opt for public schools, where the standard may be lower than they’re used to. Fees at the top international schools are on a par with those at private schools in the US or UK, and the American Embassy School in Chanakyapuri sets its fees in US dollars. Indian private schools that teach in English are far cheaper, and some offer international curricula such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) or Cambridge IGCSE.

Tuition is only part of the bill. Most schools charge one-off admission and development fees, and parents also pay for uniforms, textbooks, the school bus, and extracurricular activities. Schools usually raise their fees every year, so factor that into any allowance you negotiate. Demand for places at the most popular schools is high, and you should apply well before you arrive.

Education and Schools in Delhi
Best International Schools in Delhi

Cost of healthcare in Delhi

Expats rarely rely on the public system, so the cost of healthcare in Delhi is mostly about private fees and insurance premiums. Public hospitals such as the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) are cheap and have some of the country’s best specialists, but the queues are long, and the wards are crowded. Apollo, Fortis, Max, and Medanta all run private hospitals across the capital region. Standards at these hospitals are high, and fees are far lower than in the US or UK.

Bills for surgery or a long hospital stay can still be hefty, so you should have health insurance. Many employers include cover in expat packages. Ask for either an international health insurance policy or a healthcare allowance when you negotiate your contract. If you buy an individual policy from an Indian insurer, you won’t pay goods and services tax (GST) on the premiums.

Healthcare in Delhi

Cost of living in Delhi chart

Prices are listed in Indian rupees (INR) and may vary depending on the product and service provider. The list below shows average prices for Delhi in November 2026.