Top 14 Cheapest Places To Live In India: India is the second most populous country in the world, boasting of a population of 1,339, 330, 514 residents. Based on the World tourism ranking compiled by the United Nations World Tourism organization as part of their World Tourism Barometer publication, India is one of the most visited countries with an international tourist arrival of over 15 million per annum. The numerous tourist centers, cool cities, industrial activities and low cost of living in India has attracted many to not just visit India, but permanently reside there; reason why there are over 10,240,000 immigrant population in India.
In case you are in the category of persons intending to permanently reside or relocate to India, this article suggests the most comfortable yet affordable cities in India which you may love to live in.
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Top 14 Most affordable & Cheap places to live in India
1. Kolkata: Kolkata formerly known as Calcutta is the capital of Indian state of West Bengal. It is the educational, commercial, and cultural center of the eastern part of India and is currently the third most populous metropolitan city in India.
Kolkata is a host of rich culture, theatre and arts. Despite this its food, entertainment, and housing are pocket friendly. Thus, offering its citizens the best lifestyle at a relatively low cost of living.
The average cost of living in Kolkata is around ₹40,000 Indian rupees per month, and the average monthly salary is around ₹60,000. In addition to its relatively low cost of living, Kolkata is one of the safest cities in India boasting of a low crime rate, cheap, diverse, and tasty foods, and proper transport facilities’. Hence, not having a private car won’t be a problem in this city.
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2. Bangalore: Bangalore sometimes called Bengaluru is a fast growing corporate hub of India, and is surprisedly one of the cheapest cities to live in India.
The estimated cost of living in Bangalore is ₹40,000 Indian rupees per month, with rent estimated between ₹6,000 – 20,000 Indian rupees, Monthly bus pass ₹1,000 – 1,500 Indian rupee, electricity bill ₹2,000, Wi-Fi ₹300- ₹1,000, and Groceries ₹1,000, amongst others.
Bangalore cements its place as one of the cheapest yet valuable cities to live in India as it is fast growing, full of opportunities, has a very pleasant weather, is tourist friendly, its cosmopolitan, and it’s the IT and technology capital of India.
3. Chennai: Chennai on the Bay of Bengal in Eastern India is the capital of Tamil Nadu. Chennai is one of the biggest cities in India, and at that one of the cheapest largely famous for its cheaper housing rent, low cost of food, entertainment, rich cultural and educational heritage, and excellent available job opportunities.
The average cost of living in the city of Chennai is ₹35,000 Indian rupee per month, making it one of the best cities to live in India, thanks to the numerous job opportunities available therein and its affordable cost of living.
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4. Hyderabad: Hyderabad, the capital of Southern India’s Telangana state is Telangana’s largest and most populous city. It is also a major urban centre for technology industry, upscale restaurants, shops and historic sites.
According to Mercer’s quality of living ranking 2019, Hyderabad is the best city to live in India. It’s relatively low cost of living further makes it not just the best, but one of the cheapest cities to live in India, as the cost of living in Hyderabad is estimated ₹37,500 Indian rupee per month.
5. Ahmedabad: Ahemedabad in Western India is the largest city in the state of Gujarat. According to Forbes, Ahmadabad is one of the fastest growing cities of the decade. It has emerged as an important economic and industrial hub in India specializing in producing cotton, textile, arts, architecture, and the construction of industries and institutions.
The cost of living in the city of Ahmedabad is ₹35,000 Indian rupee per month, making it a top choice for the cheapest cities to live in India as it is one of the safest, highly developed, yet less expensive cities in India.
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6. Indore: Indore also known as Indur is the commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh, and is also the biggest and most populous city in Madhya Pradesh.
Indore’s moderate temperature, large educational centers, quality food, heartwarming and fun loving indigenes, beautiful infrastructure, and low crime rate makes it a top choice for cities to live in India. Its relatively low cost of living is further an icing on the cake of making it a top choice for the cheapest city to live in India. The average cost of living in Indore is ₹30,000 per month.
7. Jaipur: Jaipur often referred to as the pink city is the capital and largest city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Jaipur is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India, and is the major producer of textiles, handicrafts and gems in India.
Jaipur’s quality of life, affordable shopping and lifestyle, foods, Night life, low crime rate, and average cost of living of ₹30,000 Indian rupee per month makes it one of the best value for the cheapest cities to live in India.
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8. Kochi: Kochi also known as Cochin is a city in Southwest India’s coastal Kerala state. Kochi is an awesome city to live boasting of a serene environment, tourist attraction, affordable and available shopping malls, restaurants, educational centers, and is the most important spice trading center on the west coast of India.
While there may be less work opportunities in Kochi compared to other cities mentioned in this article, Kochi’s low cost of living of ₹29,000 per month is a major appeal establishing it as one of the cheapest cities to live in India.
9. Udaipur: Udaipur, a major city in the western Indian state of Rajasthan is a major tourist center destination known for its history, culture, serene environment, and the Rajpur-era palaces. It is arguably India’s most historic, fascinating, and romantic city. It is built around two large lakes; earning it the nickname “The city of Lakes”.
Udaipur is one of the best cities to live in India, thanks to its good standard of living, connectivity, peaceful serenity, tourist centers, education hub, land availability, less air pollution, and its beautiful environment surrounded by lakes. Udaipur is also one of the cheapest cities to live in India as the average cost of living in Udaipur is ₹28,300 Indian rupees per month.
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10. Kanpur: Kanpur also known as Cawnpore is the largest city in India’s state of Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the most industrialized cities in India thereby providing numerous employment opportunities to residents, offering standard health care services, quality Education for students, lively shopping options, entertainment centers, and proximity to major cities in India. The average cost of living in Kanpur is ₹26,000 Indian rupees per month; making it top of the list of cheapest cities to live in India.
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11. Thiruvananthapuram: The capital of Kerala is Thiruvananthapuram. It has continuously been listed as one among India’s more cheap places to live. Thiruvananthapuram appeals to those seeking a comfortable and reasonably priced living for a number of reasons. The affordability of the city is also influenced by its transportation infrastructure. Due to the city’s well-established bus, taxi, and auto-rickshaw network, getting around Thiruvananthapuram is simple and reasonably priced for both locals and tourists.
In comparison to other Indian towns, Thiruvananthapuram has comparatively inexpensive food costs. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and spices may be easily found in the city’s many local markets and by street sellers, allowing homeowners to cook at home more affordably.
Thiruvananthapuram’s robust tourism sector, which brings in a sizable number of tourists annually, is another factor contributing to the city’s affordability. Beaches, temples, museums, parks, and other tourist destinations in the city offer employment possibilities to the local population and support the general economic growth of the area. Thiruvananthapuram, the most affordable city in India, provides social contact, strong school options, and a high quality of life.
12. Coimbatore: Tamil Nadu’s largest city is Coimbatore. Numerous elements that contribute to the city’s affordability and draw both locals and visitors are at play. The abundance of reasonably priced housing alternatives in Coimbatore is a major component in the city’s low cost of living. In Coimbatore, the cost of renting or buying an apartment is quite affordable when compared to other major Indian cities.
One other element influencing the city’s affordability is its transit network. Coimbatore’s well-established bus, rail, and auto-rickshaw networks make getting around the city convenient and reasonably priced for both locals and tourists.
The vibrant textile and engineering sectors of Coimbatore, which draw a sizable influx of migrant labourers and students, contribute to the city’s affordability. These industries are present because they generate economic activity and job opportunities, which promote a robust economy and affordable cost of living.
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13. Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh’s capital, Bhopal, has continuously been listed as one of the most affordable places to live in India. Bhopal is regarded as an affordable travel destination by both locals and visitors for a number of reasons. The abundance of reasonably priced housing alternatives in Bhopal is one of the main causes of the city’s low cost of living. When comparing the cost of housing in Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, and other major Indian cities, it is far less expensive to purchase or rent an apartment.
The city’s well-established bus and auto-rickshaw networks facilitate convenient transportation across the city for both locals and tourists. And all of this is feasible without incurring significant shipping costs. In addition, food prices in Bhopal are significantly lower than in other Indian cities. The city is well-known for its mouthwatering street cuisine, which not only represents the distinctive culinary traditions of the area but is also incredibly reasonably priced.
14. Lucknow: The capital of Uttar Pradesh is known as Lucknow. It is ranked among the most reasonably priced areas in India to reside. The city is renowned for its delicious food, inexpensive cost of living, and rich cultural history. One measure of Lucknow’s affordability is the abundance of affordable housing alternatives. At costs that are cheaper than those of many other Indian towns, the city provides a variety of housing alternatives, such as shared quarters, flats, and homes. In comparison to other major cities around the nation, the cost of essential commodities like water and electricity is also less expensive here.
The shared taxi and bus networks in Lucknow provide residents economical and effective modes of transit, and the city’s transportation system is also reasonably priced. Lucknow’s local food markets and rich culinary legacy contribute to the city’s comparatively inexpensive cost of food and consumables. Kebabs, biryanis and other traditional foods that are tasty and reasonably priced are Lucknow’s speciality. The cultural landmarks and leisure activities available in Lucknow give locals reasonably priced ways to pass the time. The city is well-known for its museums, festivals, and historical sites.
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Conclusion
The list above is probably going to be quite helpful if you’re thinking about relocating to the most affordable city in India. We have done extensive study on the benefits and most affordable cities in India. One of the locations listed above could be worth considering if you’re thinking about moving.
Edeh Samuel Chukwuemeka, ACMC, is a lawyer and a certified mediator/conciliator in Nigeria. He is also a developer with knowledge in various programming languages. Samuel is determined to leverage his skills in technology, SEO, and legal practice to revolutionize the legal profession worldwide by creating web and mobile applications that simplify legal research. Sam is also passionate about educating and providing valuable information to people.