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Delhi vs Chennai

Chennai runs about 21% cheaper than Delhi for this household, a difference of 185 USD a month.

A view of the Hyderabad House, before Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III meets with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, New Delhi, India, March 19, 2021. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)
Delhi
$880/month · India
U.S. Secretary of Defense Intensity bumped up for Delhi infobox picture · Public domain
Bird's-eye view of Chennai city from Chennai Lighthouse near Marina Beach
Chennai
$695/month · India
SlowPhoton · CC BY-SA 4.0
Delhi monthly
$880
Index 14 (NYC = 100)
Chennai monthly
$695
Index 11 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-21%
Chennai relative to Delhi
Rent gap
$150
Delhi costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

DelhiChennai
  • Housing
    Housing: Delhi $450, Chennai $300. Cheaper in Chennai.
  • Food
    Food: Delhi $249, Chennai $226. Cheaper in Chennai.
  • Transport
    Transport: Delhi $21, Chennai $19. Cheaper in Chennai.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Delhi $58, Chennai $57. Cheaper in Chennai.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Delhi $6.96, Chennai $6.31. Cheaper in Chennai.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Delhi $63, Chennai $58. Cheaper in Chennai.
  • Other
    Other: Delhi $32, Chennai $29. 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

MetricDelhiChennai
Cost
Total monthly cost880 USD695 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)1411✓
Housing450 USD300 USD✓
Utilities58 USD57 USD✓
Food249 USD226 USD✓
Transport21 USD19 USD✓
Healthcare7 USD6 USD✓
Lifestyle63 USD58 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,137 USD6,137 USD
Effective tax + social rate26.4%26.4%
Left over each month5,257 USD5,442 USD✓
Average local net salary480 USD✓470 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre450 USD300 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre1,200 USD750 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre3,600 USD2,100 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety48/10066/100✓
Healthcare60/10064/100✓
Air quality10/10028/100✓
Public transport66/100✓52/100
Walkability50/100✓46/100
English proficiency72/10074/100✓
Nightlife78/100✓66/100
Family friendliness58/10068/100✓
Median broadband85 Mbps85 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature25°C✓29°C
Summer high40°C37°C✓
Winter low7°C21°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,800 h✓2,700 h
Annual rainfall790 mm✓1400 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach accessNone nearby25 min✓
CurrencyINRINR
Time zoneAsia/KolkataAsia/Kolkata

Chennai runs about 21% cheaper than Delhi for this household, a difference of 185 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in DelhiCost of living in ChennaiConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Delhi vs BangaloreDelhi vs MumbaiDelhi vs Pune
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Delhi or Chennai cheaper?

Chennai runs about 21% cheaper than Delhi for this household, a difference of 185 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Chennai compared with Delhi?

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

Which has better quality of life, Delhi or Chennai?

Delhi scores 48/100 on safety and 60/100 on healthcare; Chennai scores 66 and 64. Delhi averages 25°C against 29°C in Chennai.