Cost of Living in Mumbai 2025: An Complete Guide for Newcomers

Introduction

Mumbai is a vibrant metropolis known as the “City of Dreams.” And indeed it is! Every year, thousands of people move to the city to join its dynamic job market and diverse culture. 

While Mumbai is famous for its busy lifestyle, beautiful beaches, and cosmopolitan culture it is also most importantly known for its high cost of living. So, how does one navigate these expenses and live in the city? Today, we’ll explore a few key points and break down some of the perennial questions that concern hopefuls wanting to move to Mumbai.

• Why Mumbai? No! Not just because of the glitz and glimmer of film city or finances alone!
• The average cost of living in Mumbai – How much is too much compared to other metro cities of India?
• Cost of living in Mumbai with family – What about the cost of living for couples? What about Roti, Kapda, and Makaan for family?
• Cost of living in Mumbai for students – Is it affordable to study in premier institutes considering the cost of living?
• Cost of living in Mumbai for bachelors. Can you afford it?
• Transportation cost-What would you prefer, a train or a cab? 
• Tips to manage the cost of living in Mumbai. You’ll make it if you can hack it.
• Best living options in Mumbai and so on.

 

Factors Affecting Cost of Living in Mumbai

A list of various aspects that decide the cost of living in Mumbai are:

• Accommodation Cost in Mumbai
• Cost Of Groceries in Mumbai
• Cost of Food in Mumbai
• Cost of Electricity in Mumbai
• Cost of Schooling and Childcare in Mumbai
• Transportation Cost in Mumbai
• Sports, Leisure, Shopping and Entertainment Cost in Mumbai

 

What is the Average Cost of Living in Mumbai?

They say Mumbai is expensive. Well, yes and no. Not to be confusing, but it really depends on how you want to live.

But here’s a kinda general idea.

• Rent: A 2 BHK PG with basic amenities from a standard housing platform like Stanza Living would cost between 20 and 40 K. But again, it depends on whether you’re comfortable with a smaller flat. 
• Utilities: Electricity, water, and internet could cost around 3-5K per month. You obviously can’t compromise on any of these!
• Groceries would cost around 10 K. This is for those not opting for a PG with a mealing system.
• In the age of Swiggy and Zomato, we can lose track of how much money we are spending on takeouts and home deliveries. Typically, they could cost you around INR 500-2000. Suppose you see that it exceeds more than that you might be hurting both your pocket and your body. So keep an eye. 
• Transportation, if you prefer public modes of transport such as trains and buses it’d cost you around INR 1000/-1500/- per month.
• Entertainment! There’s no other way to put this. It is costly and it’s totally on you. 

 

Cost of living in Mumbai for Couples

Whether you are in a relationship or a newly married couple, you wish to have a settled life and give your partner a comfortable experience. But oftentimes, it becomes difficult to plan things out in detail, especially when you’re moving to a new city like Mumbai. 

So, here are a few things to think about if you’re planning to move to Mumbai and a detailed breakdown of the Cost of living in Mumbai for a couple.

Choice of Locality

Central area- It’s the most expensive area in Mumbai. The rents are high as hell! Ranging from 25K to 50K per month.

Western suburbs- A relatively more affordable area, with locations like Andheri, Bandra, Juhu, and Versova. Yep! I can see the tables turning in your heads as you read these names. So, yeah they are slightly more affordable ranging from 15K to 30K per month including meals and electricity. 

Eastern suburbs- It’s a more affordable area with locations like Ghatkopar, Mulund, and Bhandup; ranging from 10K to 25K per month with basic amenities. 

Sub-urbs- The most affordable area in Mumbai ranging from 5K to 10K per month. Then again, the cost of commute would be relatively more as they might be far away from your work location. So consider that as well. These include Thane, Navi Mumbai, Kalyan, etc.

Commute

If you’re on public transport, it would cost less. You can get a public pass which would cost around 500/- to 2000/-  for each of you.

Overall, the general estimate could be around 40K to 60K per month. But, it all depends on your choices for how you want to live.  

 

Cost of Living in Mumbai for Family

In India, a typical family usually consists of the parents, one child, and an elderly. As the breadwinner of the family, it comes down to the husband and the wife to maintain their cost of living. Let’s venture into the expense heads according to this case study (possibly relating to your family)-

Lifestyle 

 The point here is- a lifestyle without fancy stuff could go a long way. For instance, if you can’t afford central Mumbai, why not prefer West Mumbai? 

Health

It depends on the health insurance premium and emergencies. Consider it to vary from 10 K to 15 K for a family of four. 

Education

Food for thought- Mumbai is one of the prestigious education hubs of India. So be prepared to spend at least 50K to 1L per year for a decent education.

Day-to-day costs

Make sure that your family is a part of public transportation to cut down the cost and prefers home-cooked food. Nudge into suburbs for standard and strategic living finances.

 

Cost of living in Mumbai for Students

You could say that it’s worth it, but at the same time, we need to consider a few things.

Premier institutions- Fortunately, there are many premier institutions available in and across India for further studies than there used to be. For instance,  Ahmedabad can be way cheaper than Mumbai, and so can Hyderabad and a few other cities like Banaras. But since you are in Mumbai now, let’s discuss the cost of living in Mumbai for a student.  

Flat or PG

Based on what you choose, you will be spending around 15-20k monthly on rent. However, with a PG offered by Stanza Living, you can also get standard food, a safe and sound ambiance, and reliable peers during your stay. 

Other factors remain almost similar to the ones we discussed in the above cases. And since student life does not only mean ‘studies’ it is best if you put some money, around 2k-5k aside to explore the city and live through different experiences. 

 

Cost of living in Mumbai for Bachelors

As I said, go live your life! But with a proper plan. Because, as we just discussed- Mumbai is indeed quite costly. But if you can afford it why not?

Since you have come out of your student life and are now making your own money have fun visiting pubs, and the oh-so-pop concerts! So every month you should put aside at least 5k for these experiences. Apart from that, all the other expenses will be very similar to what you would spend as a student.

 

Category	Expense per month (in INR)
Rent	10000-15000
Food	3000-5000
Transportation	1000-1500
Utilities (like Gym membership)	3000-5000

 

Accommodation Cost in Mumbai

First things first, renting a house or an apartment in Mumbai is costlier than any other city in India. Though, if you make the right calculations, depending on your office location, or your campus, you can rent out a house with a reasonable rate just fine. Also, combine that with a couple of roomies, you’ll be able to pool in cash and lower your average cost of living in Mumbai. Or even simpler, move into a Stanza Living apartment and get 10,000 amenities at the price of one. Your call.

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
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
Parel	40k – 70k	60k – 95k	90k – 1lac+
Vile Parle	35k – 45k	50k – 75k	80k – 1lac
Powai	30k – 45k	45k – 60k	65k – 90k

 

Cost Of Groceries in Mumbai

Unlike accommodation, the price of groceries in Mumbai is just like any other city. The MRPs are consistent and there are tons of shops on every corner of the city, be it a posh locality or a hole-in-the-wall neighborhood. And when it comes to convenience, you can order your monthly groceries together from an online store. It’ll save you both time and money. But if you have a habit of going bonkers when you walk into supermarkets and grab things that you don’t need, then we don’t know.

Occupants	Average Cost of Monthly Groceries (INR)
Single	4,500-6,000
Couple	7,000-10,000
Family of Four	13,000-23,000

 

Cost of Food in Mumbai

Needless to say, the sure-shot way of saving money on food is to cook for yourself. But if you’re a working professional or a student with a short supply of time, then you can hire a house cook. Or best, subscribe to a tiffin service. Also, there are always local food joints and eateries that are cheap and filling at the same time. So if you’re a veteran surviving on bread omelets back in your college days, then all you gotta do is switch to vada pav or pav bhaji. Same price, but 100% more flavors guaranteed.

Type	Average Cost (INR)
Hired Cook	1,000-10,000 per month
Tiffin Service	2,000-3,000 per month
Eateries	100-500 per meal
Restaurant	1500, Meal for Two

 

Cost of Electricity in Mumbai

Depending on your electricity meter and the area, the cost per unit of electricity in Mumbai may range anywhere from 2.93 rupees per unit to 9.8 rupees per unit. So we suggest you ask your landlord about the cost per unit and do your research to verify the same. Or else, be like those fellows who move into the first house they find without clarifying these things with the broker or landlord. You know, just coz they happen to like the color of the walls. *facepalm*

Cost of Schooling and Childcare in Mumbai

If you’re a school-going student who shifted places for better opportunities or just someone who has a younger sibling living with you, then take a look at the average cost of schooling. Otherwise, you’d just have to become a dropout. And we all know how not every school dropout turns out to be like Leo Dicaprio.

Category	Average Cost (INR)
Primary Schools	15,000-100,000
High Schools	15,000-100,000+
Day Care/Creche	3,000-5,000 per month
Babysitter/Nanny	200-2000 per hour

 

Transportation Cost in Mumbai

Although traveling can be a taxing thing in Mumbai (thanks to traffic and the sheer size of the city), there are loads of options for commuting. If local trains feel way too invasive, you can take buses (did y’all know Mumbai has one of the largest bus networks in the country?). And if buses feel like they’re too slow, go for cabs or taxis. Or, the cheapest, grab an auto. Though autos are cheaper, you’d have to be lucky for an auto driver to say yes when you ask for a ride. So start polishing your luck!

Mode of Transport	Cost (INR)
Non-AC Bus	5-20
AC Bus	6-25
Local Train	5-1000
Taxi	22 per km
Auto	18 per km

 

Sports Leisure Shopping and Entertainment Costs in Mumbai

Mumbai is home to some of the best fitness studios and movie theatres. Now, we don’t know much about how badly you need to hit a gym, but if you’re looking to save money, just try and get on a local train. If not anything, it’ll be enough workout for your arms. You know, while trying to not fall off after getting bulldozed by hundreds of other stressed homo sapiens. Challenge accepted?

Category	Average Cost (INR)
Gym	800-5000 per month
General fitness and yoga	300-500 per class
Movie Theatres	300-800 per ticket
Shopping Malls	2000-10,000 per 5 items of clothing
Street Side Markets	1200-6000 per 5 items of clothing
Boutiques/Designer Clothing	15,000 – 100,000 on 5 items of clothing
Television (cable)	300-350 per month

 

Check out Cost of Living in Other Cities:

Cost of Living in Chennai	Cost of Living in Bangalore
Cost of Living in Delhi	Cost of Living in Ahmedabad
Cost of Living in India	Cost of Living in Hyderabad
Cost of Living in Pune

 

Tips on Reducing the Cost of Living in Mumbai

Well, if you are as hell-bent as I am when going to a place, or just wanna save some bucks here are a few tips for you.

• Utilize public transport! As I said earlier, if you wanna work outside, you should opt for trains! They’ll save you tons. 

 

• Walk or cycle as much as you can. 

 

•  Sharing rides, like we do in auto rickshaws. These are generally referred to as subtle services where you pay 1/3rd of the price for the same distance. 

 

• Go for PGs rather than flats. Negotiate the rent like your life depends on it!

 

• Cook at home! Make it a healthy habit too. 

 

• Entertainment! Sure, for that you may visit beaches, parks, and other free places like museums. 

 

• Opt for local markets. Don’t go into fancy shops if you can’t afford it. Shop smart, and avoid those going on those impulsive shopping sprees!

Best Living Options in Mumbai

I gave you tips on ways to manage the cost of living in Mumbai. But, here’s a bit more about the best options to live in Mumbai which could help you choose the accommodation, etc. with pocket-friendly options.

• Prefer public transport – Choose places with easier access to railway stations, bus stops, etc. Oh, and don’t forget to ask the locals about the autos! This way you might save a few more bucks.

 

• Prefer living in western suburbs like Andheri even though you can afford central Mumbai or not. Also, PGs are the best option if you’re on a budget. If you’re looking for a PG in Andheri East, Vile Parle, Kharghar, or Goregaon East, you should try browsing through Stanza Living, as they have some very good options on their platform.

 

• Find a good tiffin subscription service. Mumbai has loads of those. Avoid fancy eat-outs. as they’d obviously be expensive!

 

As a very popular principle goes “optimal utilization of resources”. So, according to that, prefer to stay close and cautious rather than far and adventurous when it comes to the cost of living in Mumbai. 

 

Conclusion

In short, the cost of living in Mumbai will vary based on your lifestyle choices and your family structure. If you’re a family with more than four members you most probably will spend more on education and healthcare while singles and couples may prioritize entertainment and dining. Therefore, you must consider factors like accommodation, transportation, and your day-to-day expenses. This will help you understand your overall budget effectively and make your stay in Mumbai easy. 

 

FAQs

What is the cheapest way to live in Mumbai?

Prefer suburbs like Thane and Navi-Mumbai, but think about the commute as well. Because then you might have to travel more to reach your work location.

Is Mumbai a costly city?

Mostly yes. But it depends on how you want to live your life. One of those posh, central areas like Nariman Point could be pricey. On the other hand, some of the western suburbs could be relatively affordable.

What factors should I consider when calculating the cost of living in Mumbai?

Consider accommodation, rent, food, health, and education. For example, transportation is not that expensive while residence can be really expensive. In the same way, health and education are affordable enough but when they are combined with the hefty rents it becomes difficult to live in Mumbai that too with a posh lifestyle and without a decent salary.

How much is a salary enough to live in Mumbai?

Well, even in 30 K you can make it, but there are people who struggle even if they earn around 2L per month. So yes, it really depends on the area of residence, accommodation, and lifestyle.

What is the Average Cost of Living in Mumbai for a Bachelor’s?

If they’re lucky, the average cost of living in Mumbai for a bachelor can be around 20,000-30,000 per month. Though, depending on the situation and the lifestyle they’re living, it can vary. Mostly in the upwards direction.

Which are the Posh Areas in Mumbai?

Also known as the places where all the celebrities live and their fans gather to catch a glimpse of them, these are the poshest areas in Mumbai:

• Bandra Bandstand
• Malabar Hill
• Worli Sea Face

Which are the Best Gyms in Mumbai Near Me?

Gym bros and fitness freaks, listen up. These are the best gyms in Mumbai:

• Gold’s Gym
• Qi Gym
• Five Fitness

Which are the Best Schools in Mumbai Near Me?

By major rankings, these are the top schools in Mumbai:

• Aditya Birla Academy
• Bombay Cambridge International School
• Dhirubhai Ambani International School

What is a Good Salary to Live in Mumbai?

If you earn upwards of 75K per month, you could probably live comfortably. But even if you don’t, the energy and vibe of the city will make up for whatever you lose in terms of living comforts.