What is the Cost of Living in Chennai VS Bangalore?

Hi Charan, I want to share the cost of living in Bangalore vs Chennai. I have lived in both cities for a longer period and have a good idea of the cost of living.

Chennai vs Bangalore Cost of Living

I was going through something called the cost of living index, which had Bangalore at 29.44 while Chennai was at 22.75. The factors included in the index were rent, consumer prices and more.

The index simply displayed Bangalore being a bit more expensive than Chennai. I will give you a breakdown.

So, if you ask is Chennai cheaper than Bangalore, the answer is yes. It all comes down to your lifestyle as you can live and sustain in both the cities with the way you live. 

Hi, I have lived quite a good half of my life in Chennai, and now I live in Bangalore. Both these two are the greatest cities in the southern part of India. Chennai and Bangalore come with their unique attractions, advantages and disadvantages. And quite a lot of people have been debating about the cost of living in Bangalore vs Chennai. 

What is the Cost of Living in Bangalore Versus Chennai?

I have added all the information in the table below to make it easier for you to understand. 

For this table, you should be able to understand the approximate cost of living Chennai vs Bangalore.

If you want you can

like I did. 

The cost of living in Bangalore is higher than that of Chennai but it is often seen that Bangalore offers much more salary compared to that of Chennai. 

I hope this settles the debate about the cost of living Bangalore vs Chennai. 

Hi Buddy,

Calculating the cost of living in Chennai vs. Bangalore can help you determine which city is more affordable and will allow you to save more money. Every city has its own attraction and unique characteristics, as well as a variety of advantages and disadvantages. Since many people are trapped at a crossroads on which city is the best among the two big southern metros, there has been a long-running argument concerning the expense of living in Chennai vs. Bangalore. 

Both Chennai and Bangalore are exciting and fun cities to live in, with significant IT and ITeS centres, large industries, a plethora of recreational and entertainment options, shopping and gastronomic pleasures, and all of the required infrastructure and amenities for people.

Here's how to compare the Chennai VS Bangalore cost of living based on a few key factors;

• Food and Restaurants:

Food is, without a doubt, one of the most important reasons why we adore our Indian cities. Both Bangalore and Chennai boast a plethora of delectable foods, restaurants, cafes, and regional cuisine that will have your taste buds watering in no time. Prices may, however, fluctuate from time to time. Keep in mind that Bangalore may be slightly more expensive in this area than Chennai, despite the fact that it is more cosmopolitan (which means more possibilities).

In Chennai, a typical fast-food lunch will cost between Rs. 120 and Rs. 350, whereas in Bangalore, it will cost between Rs. 150 and 350. In Chennai, basic dinners with drinks will cost between Rs. 100 and Rs. 350, and in Bangalore, between Rs. 150 and 350. Bangalore is recognised as the pub capital of India since liquor prices are slightly lower.

• Transportation Costs

Both cities have extensive public transportation networks, while Chennai offers slightly more options. On average, one-way metro tickets cost Rs. 20 and Rs. 30 in Chennai and Bangalore, respectively, while monthly commuting plans cost Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 1,500 in Chennai and Bangalore, respectively.

Real estate is thriving in both Chennai and Bangalore, with a wide range of possibilities at practically every price point. In terms of general affordability and property rental/purchase costs, however, Chennai outperforms Bangalore. On average, a 1 BHK unit in Chennai costs Rs. 12,500 per month, whereas a 1 BHK property in Bangalore costs Rs. 15,000 per month.

In Chennai, average rates for a 1 BHK property in the suburbs would range from Rs. 7-8,000, while in Bangalore, they will range from Rs. 8-9,000. In Chennai, utility bills will be around Rs. 1,500-1,600, while in Bangalore, they will be around Rs. 1,000-1,100.

• Groceries & Household Needs

Bangalore is more affluent than Chennai, which is evident in the modest price differential in groceries and other household essentials. A litre of milk, for example, which costs Rs. 43 on average in Chennai, may cost Rs. 40 in Bangalore, which is less expensive. Basic internet connections, on the other hand, cost on average Rs. 1,200 in Bangalore vs Rs. 1,000 in Chennai. In Bangalore, vegetables are slightly less expensive.

• Children's Education

Bangalore has an excellent kindergarten and pre-school facilities available, with monthly fees ranging from Rs. 7,000 to Rs. 8,000 on average. On a monthly basis, this corresponds to Rs. 4,300 in Chennai. In Chennai, attending an international elementary school costs around Rs. 118,300 per year, while in Bangalore, it costs around Rs. 165,200 per year.

• Leisure & Fitness

Gym memberships in Bangalore are slightly more expensive (Rs. 1,600 on average) than in Chennai (Rs. 1,400 on average), however hourly court rentals in Bangalore are less expensive. For an hour on the courts in the Garden City, you may expect to pay Rs. 480, whereas in Chennai, you can expect to pay Rs. 500.

To be honest, while considering the cost of living in Chennai vs. Bangalore, I would like to say that there isn't much of a difference between Bangalore and Chennai in terms of living costs. However, because property in Bangalore is more expensive, Chennai is a more inexpensive choice in terms of rentals or homes. Everything else is fairly evenly distributed across the two Southern metropolises.

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