Delhi vs Mumbai: Cost of Living Comparison
Choosing between India's political heart, Delhi, and its financial powerhouse, Mumbai, often comes down to a trade-off between space and opportunity. While Delhi offers a more expansive lifestyle with significantly lower housing costs, Mumbai provides a fast-paced, cosmopolitan environment at a premium price point, consistently ranking as India's most expensive city.
Is Delhi more expensive than Mumbai?
In almost every metric, Delhi is more affordable than Mumbai. On average, the cost of living in Mumbai is approximately 25% to 35% higher than in Delhi. While local purchasing power is relatively similar for professionals in both cities, your dollar stretches much further in the North. To maintain the same standard of life that $1,500 provides in Delhi, you would likely need over $2,100 in Mumbai, primarily due to the astronomical cost of real estate.
Housing and Rent in Delhi vs Mumbai
Housing is the biggest divider. In Mumbai, the extreme lack of space drives 1-bedroom apartment rents in the city center to between $600 and $950 USD. In contrast, a similar apartment in a prime Delhi neighborhood averages $350 to $550 USD. Property prices follow the same trend; buying an apartment in Mumbai can cost twice as much per square foot as in Delhi, making Delhi the preferred choice for those seeking larger living spaces or luxury villas.
Food and Dining Costs
Both cities are culinary hubs, but Delhi generally offers better value for money. A meal at an inexpensive local restaurant in Delhi costs around $3–$5 USD, whereas in Mumbai, it ranges from $4–$7 USD. While grocery prices for items like milk, eggs, and local produce are largely comparable across India, the high-end dining scene in Mumbai’s South Bombay or Bandra districts carries a higher price tag due to higher commercial rents and overheads.
Transportation and Commuting
Delhi's modern Metro system is often cited as the best in the country, with monthly passes costing roughly $20–$25 USD. Mumbai’s suburban rail network is the city's lifeline and is very cheap, though notoriously overcrowded. Fuel costs are typically higher in Mumbai due to state-specific taxes. While Delhi has superior road infrastructure, both cities suffer from heavy traffic congestion, though Delhi’s wide avenues make for a slightly better driving experience than Mumbai's narrow coastal roads.
Lifestyle, Utilities, and Entertainment
Utilities like electricity and water are generally more expensive in Delhi during the extreme summer months (May–July), often reaching $120 USD for a large household. However, Mumbai’s consistent humidity requires year-round air conditioning. For entertainment, a cinema ticket or a monthly gym membership in Mumbai is roughly 15% to 20% more expensive than in Delhi, reflecting the higher operational costs for businesses in the financial capital.
How to get from Delhi to Mumbai
While no direct flight route link was provided, the 1,400 km distance between Delhi and Mumbai is most commonly traversed by air. A direct flight takes approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes, with dozens of daily departures from IGI Airport (DEL) to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM). For those preferring rail, the premium Rajdhani Express connects the two cities in approximately 15 to 16 hours.
The Verdict: Delhi or Mumbai?
For digital nomads and remote workers, Delhi is the superior choice due to significantly lower rent and better access to spacious, modern infrastructure. Families may also prefer Delhi for its larger residential complexes and international school campuses. However, for those in finance, entertainment, or tech looking for a safe, 24/7 cosmopolitan vibe and higher safety standards for solo residents, Mumbai remains the undisputed destination, provided they can manage the high cost of housing.
Borderly AI