Cost of Living Calculator India — FY 2025-26

For housing: Mumbai is significantly more expensive — a comparable 2BHK in a decent Mumbai area costs ₹40,000–70,000/month vs ₹20,000–40,000 in Bengaluru. For food and transport: broadly similar. Overall, Mumbai is typically 20–35% more expensive for comparable lifestyle.

From Bengaluru to Mumbai: add ₹15,000–25,000/month just for housing premium. A 20–30% salary increase is often needed just to maintain the same standard of living — not gain from the move. Factor this precisely using this calculator with actual rental quotes.

Often yes. A 20% pay cut from Bengaluru to a Tier 2 city like Pune or Ahmedabad might actually improve quality of life if housing is 40% cheaper and commute is shorter. Calculate disposable income, not just salary.

For international moves, salary comparisons must account for tax systems (some countries have no income tax), healthcare (often employer-provided in some countries, expensive in others), and purchasing power parity (local goods may be cheap even if housing is expensive). Use services like Numbeo for detailed international comparisons.

Brokerage on rental (typically 1 month rent in most Indian cities), security deposit (2–3 months), movers and packers (₹15,000–40,000), school fees if you have children (varies enormously by city), and social costs of rebuilding a professional network.