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Hyderabad vs Chennai

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

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

Where the gap actually is

HyderabadChennai
  • Housing
    Housing: Hyderabad $320, Chennai $300. Cheaper in Chennai.
  • Food
    Food: Hyderabad $232, Chennai $226. Cheaper in Chennai.
  • Transport
    Transport: Hyderabad $20, Chennai $19. Cheaper in Chennai.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Hyderabad $55, Chennai $57. Cheaper in Hyderabad.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Hyderabad $6.36, Chennai $6.31. Cheaper in Chennai.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Hyderabad $59, Chennai $58. Cheaper in Chennai.
  • Other
    Other: Hyderabad $30, 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

MetricHyderabadChennai
Cost
Total monthly cost722 USD695 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)1111✓
Housing320 USD300 USD✓
Utilities55 USD✓57 USD
Food232 USD226 USD✓
Transport20 USD19 USD✓
Healthcare6 USD6 USD✓
Lifestyle59 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 month5,415 USD5,442 USD✓
Average local net salary560 USD✓470 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre320 USD300 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre800 USD750 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre2,200 USD2,100 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety66/10066/100
Healthcare64/10064/100
Air quality26/10028/100✓
Public transport44/10052/100✓
Walkability42/10046/100✓
English proficiency76/100✓74/100
Nightlife72/100✓66/100
Family friendliness68/10068/100
Median broadband90 Mbps✓85 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature27°C✓29°C
Summer high38°C37°C✓
Winter low15°C21°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,700 h2,700 h
Annual rainfall800 mm✓1400 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach accessNone nearby25 min✓
CurrencyINRINR
Time zoneAsia/KolkataAsia/Kolkata

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

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Cost of living in HyderabadCost of living in ChennaiConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Hyderabad or Chennai cheaper?

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

What salary do you need in Chennai compared with Hyderabad?

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

Which has better quality of life, Hyderabad or Chennai?

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