As of September 2025, Mumbai had the highest cost of living among other cities in the country, with an index value of 26.2. Gurgaon, a satellite city of Delhi and part of the National Capital Region (NCR) followed it with an index value of 24.7.  What is cost of living? The cost of living varies depending on geographical regions and factors that affect the cost of living in an area include housing, food, utilities, clothing, childcare, and fuel among others. The cost of living is calculated based on different measures such as the consumer price index (CPI), living cost indexes, and wage price index. CPI refers to the change in the value of consumer goods and services. The wage price index, on the other hand, measures the change in labor services prices due to market pressures. Lastly, the living cost indexes calculate the impact of changing costs on different households. The relationship between wages and costs determines affordability and shifts in the cost of living. Mumbai tops the list Mumbai usually tops the list of most expensive cities in India. As the financial and entertainment hub of the country, Mumbai offers wide opportunities and attracts talent from all over the country. It is the second-largest city in India and has one of the most expensive real estates in the world.

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In the second half of 2023, Hyderabad showed the highest growth of ** percent in residential unit price. There was a general increase in prices per square feet in the residential market in all eight major metropolitan regions. The residential real estate market has slowly recovered from coronavirus pandemic. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as well as a high number of unsold inventories in many cities, especially in the premium and luxury segments, are perceived to be the main drivers for decreasing prices. India’s residential market While the majority of India’s population is still living in rural areas, urbanization is increasing. This results in a high demand for affordable housing in big cities for workers moving from rural parts of the country. Despite a new momentum in governmental efforts for affordable housing in recent years, there is still a gap between the low, middle, and high income groups in terms of demand and supply of housing units. The future outlook Over the last ten years, housing in the biggest Indian cities has become more affordable. Affordability sets income in relation to housing prices. Nevertheless, it is seen that the residential real estate market would continue to grow significantly in the coming years.

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The statistic shows the inflation rate in India from 1987 to 2024, with projections up until 2030. The inflation rate is calculated using the price increase of a defined product basket. This product basket contains products and services, on which the average consumer spends money throughout the year. They include expenses for groceries, clothes, rent, power, telecommunications, recreational activities and raw materials (e.g. gas, oil), as well as federal fees and taxes. In 2024, the inflation rate in India was around 4.67 percent compared to the previous year. See figures on India's economic growth for additional information. India's inflation rate and economy Inflation is generally defined as the increase of prices of goods and services over a certain period of time, as opposed to deflation, which describes a decrease of these prices. Inflation is a significant economic indicator for a country. The inflation rate is the rate at which the general rise in the level of prices, goods and services in an economy occurs and how it affects the cost of living of those living in a particular country. It influences the interest rates paid on savings and mortgage rates but also has a bearing on levels of state pensions and benefits received. A 4 percent increase in the rate of inflation in 2011 for example would mean an individual would need to spend 4 percent more on the goods he was purchasing than he would have done in 2010. India’s inflation rate has been on the rise over the last decade. However, it has been decreasing slightly since 2010. India’s economy, however, has been doing quite well, with its GDP increasing steadily for years, and its national debt decreasing. The budget balance in relation to GDP is not looking too good, with the state deficit amounting to more than 9 percent of GDP.

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