Here is our list of Top 10 Cities to Live in India at an affordable price with a good standard of living and the reason for the same.
Hyderabad
Hyderabad has always been great for both city life and entertainment space. The city is a growing IT hub with many multinational companies and medium-sized enterprises. Though it is not as facilitated as Bangalore, the cost of living, traffic, and time-saving is great. The cost of living in Hyderabad is 10.92% lower than in Bangalore which makes it one of the best cities to live at an affordable price.
You can get a basic two-bedroom flat at ₹ 15,000 per month rent.
| Food | Amount |
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₹183 |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₹200 |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₹225 |
| 1 litre (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₹50 |
| 12 eggs, large | ₹67 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₹12 |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₹350 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₹200 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₹25 |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₹150 |
Chennai
Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is the capital of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the largest cultural, economic and educational centres of south India. According to the 2011 Indian census, it is the sixth-most populous city. However, things which make people fall in love with the city is its beautiful beaches and cost-effective lifestyle.
Even the rented apartments and houses are cheaper there as compared to other metro cities.
| Food | Amount |
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₹230 |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₹200 |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₹168 |
| 1 litre (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₹54 |
| 12 eggs, large | ₹143 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₹22 |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₹350 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₹224 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₹30 |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₹124 |
Indore
Indore, one of the cleanest cities of India is full of natural landscapes and views. The city is first on the list based on cleanliness and pollution-contamination level and is the cleanest city of India for 3 consecutive years.
Also known as mini Mumbai Indore is also one of the cheapest cities in India because of the very similar styles of life and living that too at much cheaper rates. Indore, however, dwells in its own laid back aura even in its prominently metropolitan way of existence.
Apart from the beauty of nature that adds to this place, high-raised buildings give their part of share with growing infrastructure and economic development.
| Food | Amount |
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₹200 |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₹200 |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₹189 |
| 1 litre (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₹64 |
| 12 eggs, large | ₹140 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₹14 |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₹320 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₹159 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₹24 |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₹125 |
Gulbarga
In Karnataka, Bangalore is not the only best location for a good standard of living, there are many more cities and one among them is Gulbarga. It is situated in the right location from tourists’ spots and city life.
| Food | Amount |
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₹100 |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₹200 |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₹129 |
| 1 litre (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₹42 |
| 12 eggs, large | ₹230 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₹14 |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₹280 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₹150 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₹21 |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₹140 |
Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad is the largest city and former capital of Gujarat. It is the administrative headquarters of the Ahmedabad district and the seat of the Gujarat High Court. The city is the fifth-most populous city in India and is one of the best cities to live in. If you have to compare the traffic of Ahmedabad with Chennai, Bangalore or Mumbai, then the best pick is Ahmedabad only. The city is a hub for numerous industries and businesses and is home to millions of people who are employed in those industries.
| Food | Amount |
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₹130 |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₹200 |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₹145 |
| 1 litre (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₹61 |
| 12 eggs, large | ₹80 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₹14 |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₹300 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₹135 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₹17 |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₹175 |
Kolkata
Kolkata is the capital city of the state of West Bengal and is known for its economic lifestyle. It is the primary business, commercial, and financial hub of Eastern India and the main port of communication for North-East India. The city is the third-largest urban economy in India. The city is known for its rich cultural heritage and is the “cultural capital of India” for historical and architectural significance. The city is the best to reside for those who are looking for a budget-friendly lifestyle.
| Food | Amount |
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₹200 |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₹200 |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₹189 |
| 1 litre (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₹61 |
| 12 eggs, large | ₹130 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₹27 |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₹310 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₹135 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₹12 |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₹180 |
Pune
A city with a cosmopolitan nature, prominence as an education hub and a growing IT centre of the country. The city, on one hand, is full of natural beauty and on other hand is a growing prominence as manufacturing industries. It is one of Tier-II cities which is moving to join the ranks of Tier-I cities at a great speed.
When it comes to the expenses and rates, here things are more economical than in Delhi and Mumbai. However, the infrastructure development is in full swing and it is expected to be home for millions of IT professionals in near future.
| Food | Amount |
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₹120 |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₹200 |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₹145 |
| 1 litre (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₹61 |
| 12 eggs, large | ₹230 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₹17 |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₹300 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₹132 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₹26 |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₹160 |
Bhubaneswar
The capital of the Indian state of Odisha, Bhubaneswar is one of the affordable cities to live in India. The city is also known as the temple city of India. With ample historical and pilgrimage sites, Bhubaneswar is also a tourist hub. The city remains low cost and therefore an effective of the cheapest dwellings in India. Coupled with cost-effective living, this rapidly emerging, Bhubaneshwar is among the next big places in the country.
| Food | Amount |
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₹210 |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₹200 |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₹180 |
| 1 litre (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₹64 |
| 12 eggs, large | ₹230 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₹20 |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₹305 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₹132 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₹27 |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₹150 |
Jaipur
Pink City of India, Jaipur also comes as quite a surprise with its budget-friendly and economical presence. The city is the capital state of Rajasthan with World-class Heritage Site, Jaipur is definitely on this list of India’s cheapest and most economical cities of India. Jaipur was ranked 31 among the 50 Emerging Global Outsourcing cities. The State is exporting several minerals in raw form as well as after value addition. A variety of mineral deposits are found in the district of Jaipur district contributing a huge amount to the state revenue each year.
Jaipur is also a forever tourist favourite with its lake views and is rich in heritage and culture. It is the first planned city of India and now a home for millions because of its economical presence.
| Food | Amount |
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₹130 |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₹200 |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₹169 |
| 1 litre (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₹57 |
| 12 eggs, large | ₹90 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₹21 |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₹250 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₹121 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₹11 |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₹130 |
Vadodara
Vadodara, the city is situated in Gujarat and comes quite easy on the pocket when it comes to living standard and expenses. The city is famous for its textiles and handicrafts and is also an educational and cultural hub. The city retains its charm by simple living standard and is one of the cheapest cities where you can live in India currently.
| Food | Amount |
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₹120 |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₹200 |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₹229 |
| 1 litre (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₹60 |
| 12 eggs, large | ₹78 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₹14 |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₹200 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₹116 |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₹24 |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₹129 |
So, which one do you think is the best city to live in India? Feel free to share your views in the comments below.
