When you think of Mumbai, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Bollywood? Cricket? Vada Pav? Well, Mumbai is much more than this. Mumbai is the city of dreams. A city that never sleeps. A city whose charm is so tempting, that thousands of people come here every year with dreams of making it big in this vibrant city!
Mumbai is the financial capital of India and a major hub for business, commerce, and trade. With such a mixture of opportunities that Mumbai presents to its residents, there is no surprise that Mumbai is ranked as the most populous city in India! This population not only includes the local Mumbaikars but it also largely consists of migrants from other states too who come to fulfill their dreams in this city.
With such a huge inflow of people and also the reputation of being one of the most popular cities in India, Mumbai was always bound to be an expensive city to live in. The cost of living in Mumbai is comparatively higher than any other metropolitan city in India.
Compared to other big cities, Yes Mumbai is considerably expensive! The cost of living in Mumbai depends on various parameters like Accommodation, Food, Transport, etc. Let’s go ahead and discuss the actual numbers in detail!
1. Average Cost of Living in Mumbai
| Description | Bachelors | Couples | Families |
| Accommodation | 6,000 – 9,000 | 12,000 – 20,000 | 15,000 – 40,000 |
| Groceries | 1,500 – 3,000 | 4,000 – 10,000 | 10,000 – 25,000 |
| Transport | 1,000 – 15,00 | 1,500 – 2,500 | 1,500 – 3,000 |
| Utilities | 2,000 – 3,000 | 2,200 – 3,000 | 2,200 – 3,000 |
| Entertainment | 4000-7000 | 1,500 – 4,000 | 2,000 – 5,000 |
| Shopping | 4,000-5,000 | 3,000 – 5,000 | 3,500 – 6,500 |
| Kids Schooling | Nil | Nil | 3,000 – 12,000 |
2. Accommodation
Rental Accommodation will burn the biggest hole in your pockets. The maximum chunk of your budget goes into paying rent. The land prices are high and so are the rental prices. The rents vary according to the area of your choice. Mumbai provides you with various options ranging from as low as Rs. 5000-12000 per month in areas like Navi Mumbai, Thane, etc. to as high as Rs. 30000-50000 in areas like South Mumbai, Juhu, etc.
For students and Bachelor’s, Mumbai offers various options of PG’s and shared accommodations too. Rents for PG’s and sharing flats can cost around Rs. 5000-Rs. 8000 in areas like Thane, Navi Mumbai, etc. For couples or families moving to Mumbai, a decent sized 1 Bhk in such areas can cost you somewhere around Rs. 8000-Rs 15000.
3. Affordable Places to Live in Mumbai (Rent Rates)
| Localities | 1 BHK | 2 BHK | 3 BHK |
| Goregaon | 8k – 10k | 23k – 30k | 35k – 50k |
| Thane | 10k – 12k | 18k – 25k | 35k – 65k |
| Navi Mumbai | 5k – 12k | 15k – 25k | 20k – 30k |
| Kurla | 12k – 20k | 18k – 30k | 28k – 40k |
| Sion | 13k – 23k | 25k – 40k | 32k – 55k |
| Saki Naka | 11k – 20k | 18k – 32k | 30k – 45k |
| Mulund | 15k – 19k | 22k – 34k | 30k – 48k |
| Chembur | 12k – 18k | 21k – 27k | 30k – 43k |
| Dahisar | 10k – 15k | 15k – 23k | 18k – 30k |
4. Posh Areas to Live in Mumbai for Family & Jobseekers
| Localities | 1 BHK | 2 BHK | 3 BHK |
| South Mumbai | 30k – 40k | 40k – 60k | 60k – 1lac+ |
| Andheri West | 30k – 45k | 40k – 50k | 40k – 70k |
| Bandra West | 35k – 43k | 38k – 60k | 55k – 90k |
| Jogeshwari (W) | 23k – 30k | 35k – 50k | 40k – 65k |
| Worli | 38k – 60k | 55k – 90k | 65k – 1lac |
| Juhu | 45k – 55k | 55k – 70k | 65k – 80k |
| Dadar | 27k – 39k | 40k – 60k | 50k – 70k |
5. Affordable Paying Guest (PG) in Mumbai for Bachelors & Students
| Localities | Rent | Paying Guest |
| Ghatkopar | 12,000 | Zolo Address |
| Chembur | 15,000 | Zolo Central |
| Kurla | 12,000 | Zolo Exotica |
| Sion | 11,000 | Zolo Heritage |
| Parel | 16,000 | Zolo Pride |
| Chembur | 13,500 | Zolo raga |
| Jogeshwari (E) | 12,000 | Zolo Saffron |
Check out: Best Areas To Live In Mumbai Based On Lifestyle Quotient
6. Transport
Mumbai offers you a vast range of public transport facilities. Mumbai has the best local train network which actually saves you from the traffic and also is easy on the pockets. Mumbai also has the largest organized bus network among major Indian cities. You also have autos, cab services, and bike rentals. 88% of commuters in Mumbai use public transport. Mumbai also is developing an expansive metro train service.
Normal fares for BEST non-a/c buses are a minimum of Rs.8 for 2 Kms. Similarly, Autos will charge you around Rs. 18 for a distance of 1.6Kms. Local trains fares depend on the number of stations and will be Rs. 10 to Rs. 45 depending on the Second or First class.
| Budget living | Luxury Living |
| BEST Buses | Uber |
| Local Trains | Ola |
| Metro Trains | Taxis |
| Shared Taxi | Self Drive |
| Shared Auto | Monthly Car Rental Car/Bikes |
7. Food
The next important thing after your accommodation is Food. The most economical way to save on food expenses is to cook for yourself or hire a cook. Hiring a cook/maid in Mumbai can cost you from Rs. 1000 for part-time, to Rs.15000 for full day work. If you’re too lazy to set up a kitchen, Mumbai has many options for Dabba’s or Tiffins. The average prices for Tiffin services for a month are around Rs. 1500-3000 per month.
This also turns out to be an economical option. For the more experimental types, Mumbai also has a vast range of Restaurants and Hotels in all localities which deliver food at your doorstep through food delivering apps like Zomato, Swiggy, etc. Depending on your budget you can choose your food habits.
8. Groceries/ Household Stuff
All your daily need things like milk, Bread, Rice, Poultry items, Fruits, etc, are readily available at MRP prices in nearby Kirana stores, Supermarkets which are present in abundance. A lot of online grocery delivery apps like Grofers, Big Basket, etc. also provide these things at your doorstep. The average monthly expenditure on groceries comes to about Rs. 6000 per month.
9. Utilities
Expenses like Electricity, Gas, Internet, Phone, TV, Cable, DTH, etc. would take up a considerable amount from your budget. Depending on the location you live and also the type of accommodation, the utility prices will vary. Usually, it’ll range from somewhere around Rs. 2000 to Rs. 6000.
10. Shopping
If you’re a shopaholic, you’re lucky to be in Mumbai then. Mumbai offers you the latest trends and fashion. Being the home for Bollywood, Mumbaikers take their fashion sense very seriously. You can find trendy clothes, shoes, etc. at street-side shops and you can also find all the big brands and showrooms all over Mumbai. Places like Linking Road, Colaba, Lokhandwala market, Hill Road offer you with all the latest trends in fashion at very decent prices. You’ll find Shoes, Clothes, Accessories, electronics, bags, etc. at all these places. If you’re looking for high-end shopping malls and branded showrooms, Mumbai has plenty of that too. The range for a Tshirt can be from Rs. 200 at Linking Road to Rs. 2500-3000 at branded showrooms.
11. Entertainment
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”. After a hard day of work or studies, everyone needs time to unwind and relax. Mumbai offers you various options for the same. From strolling on Marine drive with a hot Bhutta or dancing your way through the night at one of the many hip pubs and discs in the town, Mumbai has it all. A normal evening spent walking and eating around Marine drive or Chowpatty can cost you around Rs. 500 per person. On the other hand, a night spent at one of the posh clubs can put you back by Rs. 5000-10000. Mumbai has a lot of options for entertainment like movies, malls, restaurants, clubs, theaters, live bands, etc. As they say, Mumbai is a city that never sleeps and the fun never stops!
12. Kids Schooling
For families moving to Mumbai, this city has many reputed top-notch schools. The average fees of an international school in Mumbai come around to be 3.5 Lacs whereas the average fees of a CBSE school are around 50k to 1 Lakh. The fees for playschools can range from Rs. 500 per month in a normal playschool to Rs. 16000 per month in some branded playschools.
13. FAQs About Mumbai
1. What is the average cost of living in Mumbai?
The main expenditure when you live in Mumbai is accommodation. If you can take care of that part, the rest of the expenditures like food, transport, etc. can be managed easily. Accommodation in Mumbai can be a costly affair depending on the area you choose to reside in. Areas like South Mumbai are very expensive with prices ranging from Rs. 30,000 to Rs100,000.
If you move towards the northern side of Mumbai, rent prices there can vary from Rs. 10000 to Rs. 25000. If you further move towards Navi Mumbai, you can find decently priced accommodation starting from Rs. 5000. If your accommodation expenses are taken care of, then the rest of the expenditure is pretty similar to other cities. More details can be found in the latter part of this article.
2. What is the monthly expense of a bachelor living in Mumbai?
Again, the answer depends on the area you choose to live in Mumbai. As a bachelor, you have many options to save some money on accommodation. Mumbai has a lot of PG’s, and shared flats which actually works out for bachelors. If you are okay to share your living space with other bachelors, then this option works out the best for you. But if you want your privacy, then renting out an individual flat is the right option for you.
Prices for a 1BHK varies depending on the area, ranging from Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 60,000. The rest of your expenditure like food, transport is very similar to other big cities in India. Monthly expenses for a bachelor staying in shared accommodation can be around Rs. 10,000-Rs. 20,000. And if you opt for an individual flat, your monthly expenses can vary from Rs.20,000-Rs40,000.
3. How much per month will it cost to live in Mumbai with a wife?
If you are a couple moving to Mumbai, the major expenses will be for the accommodation. A decent 1BHK in uptown areas like South Mumbai can cost you Rs. 16,000 to Rs. 35,000. The bigger the house you want, the higher are the rents. If you go towards North Mumbai or Navi Mumbai, rent prices are comparatively cheaper. A 1BHK flat in Navi Mumbai can cost you Rs. 5,000 to Rs. Rs. 10,000. As a couple, your expenses double up to that of bachelor’s, so it’s safe to say as a couple your monthly expenditure should come around Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 50,000 depending on the area you choose to live in.
4. What is the per month cost of living in Mumbai for a couple with a 2-year-old child?
A family of 3 in Mumbai can live comfortably in a 1 Bhk rented flat. The rest of the expenditures like transport, food, utilities, playschool fees, etc. adds up to your total budget. Rent for a 1 Bhk in areas like Thane, Navi Mumbai, etc. can be around Rs.10,000-Rs.15,000. Add another Rs. 5,000 for utilities like groceries, milk, etc. and another Rs. 3000 for phone, gas, electricity bills.
Playschool charges in these areas should be around Rs. 5,000. Transport charges of Rs. 2,000 can be added if you travel by local trains or government buses. Add another Rs. 5,000 for miscellaneous charges like shopping, eating out, etc. So all in all, a family of 3 can comfortably live in Mumbai with a budget of Rs. 35,000-Rs 40,000. If you chose to live in more expensive areas like South Mumbai, this budget will increase to say about Rs. 55,000-Rs. 65,000.
5. How much money do you need to live comfortably in Mumbai?
If you choose to live in suburban areas of Mumbai, you will need an average of 40k-50k/ month which will include your house rent ranging from 18k-25k for 1/2 BHK. In South Mumbai rent alone for 1RK will range from 15k-20k.
6. How expensive is it to live in Mumbai?
| Description | Bachelors | Couples | Families |
| Accommodation | 6,000 – 9,000 | 12,000 – 20,000 | 15,000 – 40,000 |
| Groceries | 1,500 – 3,000 | 4,000 – 10,000 | 10,000 – 25,000 |
| Transport | 1,000 – 15,00 | 1,500 – 2,500 | 1,500 – 3,000 |
| Utilities | 2,000 – 3,000 | 2,200 – 3,000 | 2,200 – 3,000 |
| Entertainment | 4000-7000 | 1,500 – 4,000 | 2,000 – 5,000 |
| Shopping | 4,000-5,000 | 3,000 – 5,000 | 3,500 – 6,500 |
| Kids Schooling | Nil | Nil | 3,000 – 12,000 |
7. Is Mumbai an expensive city?
Mumbai is not as expensive in terms of food and transportation, but accommodation is a bit expensive if you choose to live in plush areas. You can have a good meal in 50 bucks or 500 bucks nobody goes hungry and you will find the transport connectivity to be one of the best, there are MCGM buses and trains which are quite budget-friendly.
