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Mumbai vs Chennai

Chennai runs about 34% cheaper than Mumbai for this household, a difference of 358 USD a month.

View of the Parshuram Mandir on the bank of the ancient Banganga tank at Walkeshwar area in the Malabar Hill residencial area of Mumbai.
Mumbai
$1,054/month · India
Sntshkumar750 · 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
Mumbai monthly
$1,054
Index 17 (NYC = 100)
Chennai monthly
$695
Index 11 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-34%
Chennai relative to Mumbai
Rent gap
$300
Mumbai costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

MumbaiChennai
  • Housing
    Housing: Mumbai $600, Chennai $300. Cheaper in Chennai.
  • Food
    Food: Mumbai $266, Chennai $226. Cheaper in Chennai.
  • Transport
    Transport: Mumbai $25, Chennai $19. Cheaper in Chennai.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Mumbai $52, Chennai $57. Cheaper in Mumbai.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Mumbai $8.05, Chennai $6.31. Cheaper in Chennai.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Mumbai $70, Chennai $58. Cheaper in Chennai.
  • Other
    Other: Mumbai $34, 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

MetricMumbaiChennai
Cost
Total monthly cost1,054 USD695 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)1711✓
Housing600 USD300 USD✓
Utilities52 USD✓57 USD
Food266 USD226 USD✓
Transport25 USD19 USD✓
Healthcare8 USD6 USD✓
Lifestyle70 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 month5,083 USD5,442 USD✓
Average local net salary550 USD✓470 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre600 USD300 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre1,500 USD750 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre5,500 USD2,100 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety56/10066/100✓
Healthcare60/10064/100✓
Air quality22/10028/100✓
Public transport62/100✓52/100
Walkability58/100✓46/100
English proficiency74/10074/100
Nightlife80/100✓66/100
Family friendliness60/10068/100✓
Median broadband80 Mbps85 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature27°C✓29°C
Summer high33°C✓37°C
Winter low18°C21°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,600 h2,700 h✓
Annual rainfall2300 mm1400 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access20 min✓25 min
CurrencyINRINR
Time zoneAsia/KolkataAsia/Kolkata

Chennai runs about 34% cheaper than Mumbai for this household, a difference of 358 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in MumbaiCost of living in ChennaiConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Mumbai vs BangaloreMumbai vs DelhiMumbai vs Pune
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Mumbai or Chennai cheaper?

Chennai runs about 34% cheaper than Mumbai for this household, a difference of 358 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Chennai compared with Mumbai?

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

Which has better quality of life, Mumbai or Chennai?

Mumbai scores 56/100 on safety and 60/100 on healthcare; Chennai scores 66 and 64. Mumbai averages 27°C against 29°C in Chennai.