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Chennai vs Hyderabad

Chennai and Hyderabad cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

Bird's-eye view of Chennai city from Chennai Lighthouse near Marina Beach
Chennai
$695/month · India
SlowPhoton · CC BY-SA 4.0
Aerial view of Durgam cheruvu and Hitech CIty
Hyderabad
$722/month · India
iMahesh · CC BY-SA 4.0
Chennai monthly
$695
Index 11 (NYC = 100)
Hyderabad monthly
$722
Index 11 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+4%
Hyderabad relative to Chennai
Rent gap
$20
Hyderabad costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

ChennaiHyderabad
  • Housing
    Housing: Chennai $300, Hyderabad $320. Cheaper in Chennai.
  • Food
    Food: Chennai $226, Hyderabad $232. Cheaper in Chennai.
  • Transport
    Transport: Chennai $19, Hyderabad $20. Cheaper in Chennai.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Chennai $57, Hyderabad $55. Cheaper in Hyderabad.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Chennai $6.31, Hyderabad $6.36. Cheaper in Chennai.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Chennai $58, Hyderabad $59. Cheaper in Chennai.
  • Other
    Other: Chennai $29, Hyderabad $30. Cheaper in Chennai.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricChennaiHyderabad
Cost
Total monthly cost695 USD✓722 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)11✓11
Housing300 USD✓320 USD
Utilities57 USD55 USD✓
Food226 USD✓232 USD
Transport19 USD✓20 USD
Healthcare6 USD✓6 USD
Lifestyle58 USD✓59 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,137 USD6,137 USD
Effective tax + social rate26.4%26.4%
Left over each month5,442 USD✓5,415 USD
Average local net salary470 USD560 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre300 USD✓320 USD
3-bed rent, city centre750 USD✓800 USD
Buy price per m², centre2,100 USD✓2,200 USD
Quality of life
Safety66/10066/100
Healthcare64/10064/100
Air quality28/100✓26/100
Public transport52/100✓44/100
Walkability46/100✓42/100
English proficiency74/10076/100✓
Nightlife66/10072/100✓
Family friendliness68/10068/100
Median broadband85 Mbps90 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature29°C27°C✓
Summer high37°C✓38°C
Winter low21°C✓15°C
Sunshine hours per year2,700 h2,700 h
Annual rainfall1400 mm800 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access25 min✓None nearby
CurrencyINRINR
Time zoneAsia/KolkataAsia/Kolkata

Chennai and Hyderabad cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

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Cost of living in ChennaiCost of living in HyderabadConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Chennai or Hyderabad cheaper?

Chennai and Hyderabad cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

What salary do you need in Hyderabad compared with Chennai?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,137 a month in Chennai and $6,137 in Hyderabad, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Chennai or Hyderabad?

Chennai scores 66/100 on safety and 64/100 on healthcare; Hyderabad scores 66 and 64. Chennai averages 29°C against 27°C in Hyderabad.