Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore) is one of India’s rare metropolitans blessed with everything from a pleasant climate, a never-ending supply of technological talent, and a glorious history, to the creature comforts of natural greenery and a thriving shopping, dining, and drinking scene. If you’re concerned about the quality of life and the cost of living in Bangalore, don’t be. The city has been named the top performer in the ‘million+’ category of the ‘Ease of Living Index (EOLI) in 2021, as well as the 2020 Municipal Performance Index (MPI). This means that, according to the cost of living index, Bangalore has performed best in finance, services, technology, policy, and governance. You will be rewarded with beautiful parks and quirky eateries whether you are a student travelling for higher studies, a hardworking jobseeker, an IT savant, or a couple moving for a better life. If you’re wondering how much it costs to live in Bangalore, don’t worry. We’re here to help with a detailed breakdown of the cost of living in Bangalore in 2024!
What factors to keep in mind?
Before you draw any conclusions, you should consider the following factors in order to estimate the cost of living in a city like Bangalore.
- Your occupation or profession
- Financial situation
- A purchased or rented property
- Your family’s size
- Lifestyle options
- Day-care (for families with kids) (for families with kids)
- Educational expenses
- Expenses for transportation/conveyance/fuel
- Expenses for food
- Bills for utilities such as electricity, phone/mobile, internet, and cooking gas
Cost of living in Bangalore
Bangalore has a variety of industries, including IT Parks and MNC enclaves. Living in these areas will cost you a bit more money. As a result, many tenants prefer to live in affordable areas. Here are some basic living expenses in Bangalore:
| Expenses | Avg Expenditure (per month) |
| 1 BHK apartment for rent | INR 11,000 onwards |
| 2 BHK apartment for rent | INR 15,000 onwards |
| Electricity bill | INR 2,000 onwards |
| Monthly bus passes | INR 1,000 onwards |
| WiFi | INR 600 onwards |
| Groceries | INR 2000 onwards |
| Meal for 2 | INR 4,000 onwards |
| Housemaid | INR 3,000 onwards |
Let’s look at the living costs for singles, families, and working couples.
Cost of living in Bangalore for bachelors
Here are a few factors that influence the cost of living in Bangalore for bachelors.
1. Property rates and rent
A bachelor or spinster in Bangalore can rent a 1 BHK apartment for around Rs 15,000 per month. They can also share housing to split the rent.
2. Household expenses
The average monthly household expenditure will be around Rs 10,000. This includes utility costs such as internet and electricity bills, as well as domestic help, maintenance fees, and other expenses.
3. Transportation
By purchasing a monthly bus pass, one can keep transportation costs under Rs 1,000 for normal buses and INR 3000 for AC buses. Alternatively, bachelors can also prefer aggregation mobile apps like Ola, Uber, and others for cabs and carpooling within and outside the city, or Rapido, Bounce, and others for scooters within the city.
4. Lifestyle
Bangalore has a wide range of recreational opportunities, from budget-friendly spots to opulent clubbing experiences. The cost of living for a bachelor/spinster would be around Rs 2,000 per day, depending on lifestyle choices.
Cost of living in Bangalore for a family
If you have a family and want to live in Bangalore, the cost of living is likely to skyrocket. With children, the monthly cost of living in Bangalore could be around Rs 40,000-45,000. There are several residential apartments in Bangalore that are available for rent or purchase in 1 BHK and 2 BHK configurations.
1. Property rates and rent
A family in Bangalore can rent a 2 BHK apartment for around Rs 16,000 – 35,00 per month.
2. Household expenses
In a city like Bangalore, a family of four will have to pay around Rs 40,000-Rs 50,000 per month in expenses such as school fees, domestic help, and groceries.
3. Transportation
Owning a car will incur additional costs, estimated at Rs 8,000 per month. However, the cost of public transportation could be as low as Rs 3,000.
Cost of living in Bangalore for working couples
Couples’ living expenses are more difficult to calculate because they have different lifestyle choices. These costs may differ from person to person depending on location and recreational options.
A working couple in Bangalore, for example, will spend around Rs 25,000-30,000 per month, including rent. Few affordable sectors in the city offer residential units ranging from Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 per month.
A couple should be able to keep their household expenses to around Rs 35,000, including travel and daily needs. This varies depending on factors such as internet bills, electricity transportation, domestic help, and maintenance, among others. If the couple owns a car, the costs may rise slightly.
Things to know before moving to Bangalore
Here are some things to consider before moving to Bangalore, whether alone or with family:
When interacting with locals, language may be one of the barriers. If you are not multilingual or do not speak English, this could be a major challenge.
Because the cost of living in Bangalore is high, you may have to pay extra money during the first few days as you figure out the commuting options. However, once you’ve decided, make a budget to keep your spending under control.
The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses are extremely crowded during peak hours, making public transportation unreliable.
A security deposit for renting a house can range from 10 to 12 months’ rent. It is entirely up to the landlord and your negotiating skills. For tax purposes, obtain the landlord’s PAN card and signed rent receipts.
Choose a location close to your office to avoid traffic congestion and save money on your commute.
In some areas, water supply is a major concern. A number of societies rely on water tankers for their daily needs, putting an additional financial burden on residents. It is best to double-check these parameters before relocating to a new location.
Eating out in Bangalore is more expensive than in cities like Chennai or Hyderabad. Diverse cuisines are easily accessible.
| Bachelor | Couples | Family | |
| Total Cost | INR 25 K – 40 K | INR 30 K – 50 K | 40 K – 60 K |
Moving to Bangalore may be costly for some people. However, given the opportunities available in the city, these costs are unavoidable. One can make wise financial decisions by selecting affordable locations and reducing unnecessary expenditures.