Are you shifting to Mumbai as a bachelor, couple, or family? If yes, you must be concerned about the cost of living in Mumbai. While several factors work together to make up the cost of living in Mumbai per month, here is a brief idea to help you make the right decision.
Mumbai is the city of dreams where many people migrate to build their careers. If you ask, “is Mumbai expensive”? The answer would be yes. According to a survey, the cost of living in Mumbai India is around 4.37% more expensive than Bangalore.
Below, we will try to give you an estimate of how much is cost of living in Mumbai for a bachelor, couple, and family.
Table of Contents
Cost of Living in Mumbai for a Bachelor
Cost of Living in Mumbai for a Couple
Cost of Living in Mumbai for a Family of 4
Cost of Living in Mumbai for a Bachelor
1. Accommodation
Accommodation is one of the biggest expenses that make up the cost of living in Mumbai for single person. Whether you want to purchase, rent, or share a 1 BHK apartment in Mumbai, you will find higher rates than in many other Indian cities.
Want to buy an apartment in the city centre, the average cost per square meter would be Rs. 521,500. Out of the city centre, you may find an apartment at the rate of Rs. 198,358 per square meter.
If you are shifting to Mumbai on rent, you may need to pay Rs. 38,000 for a 1 BHK in the city centre and Rs. 22,000 outside the city centre on average. Bachelors may find PGs and shared rooms for Rs. 6,000-9,000 according to the area they choose to stay in.
2. Transportation
Mumbai has abundant transportation options with excellent local connectivity. Each part of Mumbai is well-connected via roads, railway, and metro, because of which most commuters prefer travelling through public transport rather than private vehicles.
A one-way ticket for local transport costs around Rs. 20. However, regular commuters may get a discounted pass at Rs. 350.
Auto and taxi charges are also quite affordable compared to other Indian cities. Therefore, the average transportation cost for bachelors is Rs. 500-1,000 per month.
3. Food
Although cooking your own food is the budget-friendliest way of arranging meals, dining at a restaurant may cost Rs. 300 to Rs. 1,500 for a single person. Mumbai’s street food is world-famous for its delicacy, taste, and cheap cost.
Monthly food expenses for bachelors may cost Rs. 1,500 – 3,000. Groceries are available at local shops at MRP, and fruits and vegetable costs are reasonable.
If you want to hire a cook to make meals, they may charge around Rs. 1,500 per person. However, the dabbawalla service is also feasible within budget, costing around Rs. 1,000 per person per month.
4. House Help
Bachelors often have a difficult time managing their household work along with studies or work. The best option would be to hire house help at around Rs. 2,000 per month for a 1 BHK flat.
5. Utilities
Bachelors would need different utilities for a convenient living, including electricity, gas pipeline, internet connection, etc. Irrespective of the area you reside in, utility rates are the same across Mumbai and the surrounding areas.
For 1 BHK flats, electricity bills may be around Rs. 1,000-1,500 in winters and Rs. 1,500-3,000 in summers. Gas bills may be around Rs. 500-1,000. You may get a fast and efficient internet connection at around Rs. 1,000 per month.
Cost of Living in Mumbai for a Couple
1. Accommodation
A 1 BHK flat is enough for a couple living in Mumbai, cost of which is the same as that for bachelors. However, if you want to live in a 2 BHK apartment, you may calculate the price per square meter for purchase.
For a rental apartment, a 2 BHK flat comes at around Rs. 50,000 in the city centre and Rs. 35,000 outside the city centre.
2. Transportation
As mentioned earlier, the transportation cost for one person would be around Rs. 500-1,000 per month. So, for a couple, the cost of commuting would be anywhere between Rs. 1,000-2,000 per month for a couple. Auto and taxi charges are also quite affordable compared to other Indian cities.
3. Food
Groceries are available at MRP, and fruits and vegetables are at reasonable rates. The cheapest way to arrange food is to self-cook. However, if you are a busy couple with no time to prepare your meals, you may hire a cook at Rs. 1,500 per person.
You must have heard of dabbawallas in Mumbai, a tiffin service that delivers hot food to people who work across Mumbai. If both of you work and don’t have time to cook lunch in the morning, you may rely on the dabbawallas for ready food at Rs. 2,000-2,500 per month.
4. House Help
Busy couples may hire house help at around Rs. 2,000 per month for 1 BHK flat and Rs. 2,500 per month for a 2 BHK flat. Most households hire these maids to clean utensils, broom and mop the flooring every day. However, the more services you opt to avail of, the more you will need to pay.
5. Utilities
Electricity, gas, and internet service charges are quite cheap in Mumbai. They are the same across Mumbai, irrespective of the area you live in.
For a couple, electricity bills may be Rs. 1,500-2,000 in winters and Rs. 4,000-5,000 in summers. Gas bills may be around Rs. 1,000-1,500, and internet connection costs around Rs. 1,000 per month.
Cost of Living in Mumbai for a Family of 4
1. Accommodation
Most families with a couple and two children can adjust well in a 2 BHK apartment. However, if you opt to purchase a 3 BHK apartment, you have to pay the average price of Rs. 112,687 in the city centre and Rs. 52,275 outside the city centre.
The rental cost for a 2 BHK apartment would be around Rs. 50,000 in the city centre and Rs. 35,000 outside the city centre. For a 3 BHK apartment, you may need to pay around Rs. 112,600 in the city centre and Rs. 52,000 outside the city centre.
2. Transportation
For a family of four, commuting in public transport would be around the same as the cost of travelling in an auto-rickshaw. Auto and taxi charges are pretty affordable in Mumbai compared to other Indian cities. The average transportation cost would be around Rs. 2,000-3,000 for a family of four.
3. Food
Monthly food expenses for families may cost Rs. 10,000 – 25,000 per month. Groceries are available at local shops at MRP, and fruits and vegetable costs are also reasonably priced at nearby markets.
4. Utilities
The average cost of living family of 4 also includes utility expenses like electricity, gas, and internet connection. Although they are pretty cheap in Mumbai, they may add up to make a higher living cost for four people.
For a family of four, electricity bills may be Rs. 3,000-5,000 in winters and Rs. 5,000-7,000 in summers. Gas bills may be around Rs. 1,000-1,500 and an internet connection is available for around Rs. 1,000 per month.
5. Education
If you have children in your family, their education may add to your cost of living in Mumbai with rent. Mumbai is home to some of the best schools and colleges in the country. Though fees vary from one institution to another, education costs may be higher, depending on the school or college you choose.
Top schools include The Cathedral and John Connon School, Jamnabai Narsee School, Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Oberoi International School, etc. Top colleges include IIT Bombay, Athena School of Management, DY Patil University, Narsee Monjee Institute of Management & Higher Studies, Indian School of Design & Innovation, and many others.
- The annual fees for an international primary school may cost around Rs. 250,000 for one child. If you send your child to a private preschool or kindergarten for full-day, the fees may be Rs. 9,200 for one child.
General Expenses that Make Up Your Cost of Living in Mumbai
1. Entertainment
Mumbai is the entertainment capital of India, due to which it is an integral part of living in the city. Since it is a city that never sleeps, people need some sort of entertainment to keep stress at bay.
You will find various entertainment options in Mumbai according to your budget, including cinema, sports, nightclubs, etc. While watching a movie costs around Rs. 300 on average, you may get a sports club membership at around Rs. 2,000.
Strolling at the Marine Drive, visiting the Gateway of India, enjoying at Juhu Beach, etc., are free. Besides these, if you can afford it, Mumbai is the hub of movies, clubs, concerts, and bands for entertainment.
2. Medical Treatment
God forbid, but you should be aware of medical costs while living in Mumbai. Mumbai has some of the best hospitals in the country, including Nanavati Super Specialty Hospital, Jaslok Hospital, Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Breach Candy Hospital, etc.
Average fees for a doctor’s visit would cost Rs. 700 on average. However, more serious treatment may cost higher according to the medical condition and hospital you visit.
3. Packers and Movers
Apart from knowing what is the cost of living in Mumbai, you must also know the cost of moving. You will find several packers and movers in the city. You need to choose the one that offers the best quality service, timely delivery, and affordable charges.
The moving and packing charges depend on the distance travelled, services availed, home size, and other factors. For instance, Southern Cargo is the best packers and movers Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Thane charges Rs. 5,000 – 7,500 to shift a 1 BHK apartment within 10 km.
Bottom Line
Did you find this estimated average cost of living in Mumbai for a bachelor, couple, and family useful?
Did we miss a significant expense? Is something in Mumbai exhausting your budget quickly? Please let us know in the comments section below.
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