What is the Cost of Living in Delhi

Delhi, the capital city of India is in every sense the most diversified and multicultural city of India. People from all around the country come to Delhi to make a living or start a business and this city welcomes them all. Being the capital city means Delhi has every basic need and luxury options covered for you. Be it a decent marketplace, high standard healthcare facilities, affordable accommodation options, top-quality schools, job opportunities, etc. Delhi passes all these parameters for happy living with flying colors. The cost of living in Delhi depends on your lifestyle as Delhi can provide you with budget living as well as ultra-luxurious living options. If compared to other metropolitan cities, Delhi still has a lesser cost of living.

Moving to a new city like Delhi, you will have to find decent accommodation for yourself in an area which has access to all your basic needs like food, transport, entertainment, etc. Well, lucky for you that Delhi provides you with various options to choose a comfortable life for yourself. Delhi is a unique blend of old and new which truly justifies the nickname “Dilwalon ki Dilli“. Let’s go ahead and figure out the approximate expenses to find out the cost of living in Delhi.

1. Accommodation

Finding accommodation in Delhi is comparatively easier and cheaper than in other big cities. Delhi provides you with a lot of options right from budget to luxury. Depending on your budget you can choose a comfortable home for yourself.

If you’re a student or bachelor on a tight budget, you can find PG’s around Delhi for Rs. 3500-4000 including food. If you want your privacy, even a small cozy 1 Bhk type of flat will cost you around Rs. 5000-7000. 2 Bhk in budget areas like Rohini, Uttam Nagar, etc. will come up to Rs. 8000-13000 whereas a 3Bhk in similar areas will cost you Rs. 12000-18000.

For luxury options, areas like Greater Kailash, Defence Colony, Gulmohar Park, etc. provide you a 1 BHK at high prices around Rs. 20000-30000 whereas the prices of a 2 and 3 BHK flat can go up to Rs. 45000-90000. These luxury areas will include all your amenities like a pool, parking, gym, etc. So, depending on your lifestyle and how much you want to spend on rent, you can choose from multiple options around Delhi.

Best Areas to live in Delhi

2. Transport

Delhi has a highly efficient transport system which includes DTC buses, Metro trains, Autos, Cabs, etc. The DTC has a fleet of 5000 CNG buses which ply to every nook and corner of Delhi. DTC buses cater to the maximum number of commuters in Delhi. With cheap prices, DTC buses are the best way to travel around the city although traffic congestion is an issue. There are monthly passes available which turn out to be very economical.

Metro trains are a most faster and convenient way to travel around Delhi. Delhi Metro has excellent connectivity with operations extending up to Gurgaon and Noida also. Delhi metro has become a lifeline for the city as many commuters choose this due to the connectivity and ease of commute. The prices for tickets are cheap and if you get a monthly or yearly pass it turns out to be even more economical.

If you’re not the one who wants to travel in crowded public transport, then Delhi has a lot of options for taxis and autos too. The best way to travel to nearby places is via an Auto, but remember to negotiate as most of the Auto-rickshaw drivers don’t agree to go by meter. Taxis are another convenient but expensive option.

Price of petrol in Delhi: 71.84 Rs. /Ltr
Price of Diesel in Delhi: 65.11 Rs. /Ltr

The average commute expense in Delhi would come around Rs.1000-2000 depending on the distance and the type of transport you choose.

3. Food

Delhi is a haven for people who love to eat outside at roadside eateries and fast food joints. There is a lot of variety of food in Delhi that will leave your hunger pangs satisfied. Most of the localities in Delhi have their share of local food joints where you can delicious meals at affordable prices. But when you’re trying to survive on a budget, there is nothing better than cooking your food at home. Not only is it healthy, but it also saves you a lot of money spent on eating outside. Another option is hiring a cook which you can get for around Rs. 700-2000 depending on the number of meals being prepared. Eating outside regularly can take a hit on your pockets with expenses running up to Rs. 5000-8000 eating at moderately priced restaurants. These expenses go even higher if you prefer fine dining options.

If you can control your expenses of eating outside, then your food budget can easily be covered in around Rs. 3000-3500 per month. So the budget will depend on how much you can afford to spend because Delhi can cater to needs for a budget as well as luxury lifestyle options.

4. Groceries/ Household Stuff

Groceries and other stuff are an important part of your budget more so if you’re a family staying in Delhi. If you’re a bachelor who doesn’t cook, then these expenses on groceries can be controlled but again you spend more while eating and spending outside. Every locality in Delhi has many local shops that cater to all your homely needs. Even areas that are on the outskirts of Delhi have multiple options for household needs. Even many startups like Big Basket and Grofers cater to your needs by delivering everything you want at your doorstep. Normal expenditure for groceries and other household stuff for a family in Delhi can be around Rs. 3000-5000 whereas the same for a bachelor can be around Rs. 2000-3000.

5. Utilities

Delhi experiences both high and low temperatures in summers and winters making an AC at home an absolute necessity. This added expense shots up your electricity bill which can go as high as Rs. 1000-2000 for a family. Adding to this the expenses of other utilities like the Internet, Gas bill, Phone bill, TV, etc, the average expenditure for a family on utilities will come around Rs. 3000-5000 per month.

6. Shopping

Shopping in Delhi is an extremely pleasing experience due to the options of areas to shop in. Although Delhi boasts of numerous big and flashy malls, but to actually enjoy your shopping experience, you can head out to areas like Sarojini Nagar, Khan Market, Connaught Place, Chandini Chowk, and many others. These are some of the favorite shopping destinations for the local Delhi crowd. From the most fashionable clothing trends to all types of electronics, you can find everything in Delhi markets. Remember to bargain at these markets to save some bucks. Other places like Dilli Haat gives you a very ethnic and traditional shopping option. The average expenditure for shopping in Delhi should be limited to Rs. 5000 per month but if you believe in luxury shopping then Delhi also has every big brand showroom that you can think of.

7. Entertainment

What’s a life without some entertainment and the capital city of India doesn’t disappoint you at all in this aspect. With weekdays usually busy and hectic for everyone, Delhi offers you a plethora of options to spend your weekends at. First of all, the malls in Delhi like Metro Walk, Select city walk, Ansal Plaza, etc. are an experience in itself. Not only as a shopping destination but these malls provide you with options for restaurants, breweries, bowling, and loads of other fun activities. Other entertainment options are Ice Skating, various adventure and water parks to beat the Delhi heat.

Delhi also has a lot of historical monuments worth visiting. The Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutb Minar, India Gate, Jantar Mantar, Agrasen Ki Baoli are few of the must-visit places. Most of the monuments have a very nominal entry fee which is easy on your pockets. On average, the monthly expenditure on entertainment expenses would be around Rs. 1000-1500.

8. Kids Schooling

The capital city of India hosts many reputed schools and colleges making it a hot-spot for students. The fee structure for schools in Delhi is on the higher side. The average fees going around in the many international schools are around Rs. 1.5-2 Lakhs per year. The fees for good primary schools and kindergarten is around Rs. 3000-5000 per month. There are many government schools whose fees are comparatively lower than the international schools.

Let’s answer a few common queries people have with regards to the cost of living in Delhi.

1. What is the average cost of living for a couple in Delhi NCR?

A couple moving to Delhi can afford a decent lifestyle without spending too much as compared to other metropolitan cities. The rental expenses are comparatively cheaper to other big cities like Mumbai and Bangalore. You can rent a 1 Bhk in budget areas like Rohini, Narela, Uttam Nagar, etc. for Rs. 6000-8000 and a 2 Bhk flat for Rs. 8000-13000. But if you’re looking for luxury then a 1 Bhk flat in areas like Greater Kailash, Defense Colony, Gulmohar Park, etc. will cost you around Rs. 20000-30000 and a 2 Bhk in similar areas will cost you Rs. 40000-70000.

Once your accommodation is taken care of, the rest of your expenses like food, utilities, transport, etc. can be covered in an overall budget of Rs. 10000-20000 depending on your lifestyle. So the average cost of living for a couple choosing to live in a budget area will come around Rs. 20000-30000 whereas the cost goes up to Rs. 30000-50000 in luxury areas.

2. What is the average cost of living for one family in Delhi NCR?

Delhi provides a plethora of options when it comes to choosing a place to stay which incidentally is the major expense of moving to a new city. Your cost of living depends majorly on the rent for accommodation as well as other factors like food, transport, school, utilities, etc. For a family moving to Delhi, there are many options for stay in budget, moderate, as well as luxury areas. The rents in the usual budget areas are Rs. 5000-8000 for a 1 Bhk and Rs. 8000-13000 for a 2 Bhk flat which is sufficient for a family of 4 with two kids.

Adding up other expenses like utilities, transport, food, etc. the total cost of living for a family would be around Rs. 22000-25000 in a 1 Bhk and Rs. 26000-30000 in a 2 Bhk. Now if we consider a well-off family staying in posh areas then this cost of living can shoot up to Rs. 60000-80000.

3. How much does it cost a student to live in Delhi, India?

When moving to a new city, the main area of concern is always accommodation. The options for students in Delhi are many. Delhi offers many PG options for students which are decent and affordable too. The rent for PG accommodation is usually around Rs. 3000-6000 depending on if you choose to get a whole room for yourself or you share the room with others. Most of the PG’s include food in the rent they charge, so that takes care of another major expense. If you prefer to eat outside or some other arrangement, then your expenses go up a bit. Usually, the cost of living for students in Delhi can be covered in a maximum of Rs.10000-12000 per month.

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