Performing a Mumbai vs Bangalore comparison in terms of cost of living? As the cliche goes, it is easier said than done! This is because there is no standard measure for living expenses, and it all depends on your lifestyle and individual requirements.Attempting a Mumbai vs Bangalore cost of living comparison will aid you in understanding how the cities differ in terms of living expenditures across various parameters, and also help you in determining which city is better suited for you to live in.
Some interesting things should be borne in mind if you’re relocating from one city to another. Both cities have advantages and disadvantages, but what is paramount is how your decision will influence your financial standing. To assist you in the selection, let’s evaluate a few aspects about each city.
Mumbai vs Bangalore: Accommodation costs
Accommodation is one of the key parameters in comparing the Mumbai vs Bangalore cost of living. Depending on the location you choose in Bangalore, a one-bedroom apartment can cost up to INR 20,000 per month. Further, a two-bedroom apartment can cost between INR 30,000 and INR 35,000 per month. To save money, look for a property with an HSR or BTM plan. The one-bedroom apartments are within walking distance of the city centre, with the monthly rent ranging from INR 12,000 to INR 15,000. These locations provide two-bedroom flats for less than INR 30,000 per month.
Bangalore residents have to pay a higher security deposit than other major cities when renting a house. The average security deposit in the city is INR 1.34 lakh.
Since rents are exorbitant in Mumbai, the locality you choose will impact your monthly expenses. Colaba, Grant Road, and Lower Parel are the costliest neighbourhoods in south Mumbai, with 1-BHK monthly rentals ranging from INR 30,000 to INR 50,000. The rates are similar in Bandra West, Santa Cruz, and Juhu. In these places, the rent for a 2-BHK flat can range between INR 45,000 and INR 90,000. In contrast, you can rent a 1-BHK or 2-BHK in low-cost neighbourhoods such as Kandivali, Goregaon, and Borivali, where real estate has considerably expanded over the past decade.
Typically, most landlords in Mumbai seek a security deposit comprising two to three months’ rent.
Mumbai vs Bangalore: Cost of groceries
Shopping for everyday groceries is also to be considered when comparing the living costs between Mumbai city and Bangalore city. In Bangalore, grocery prices are similar to other metropolitan areas. You will find the prices reasonable if you frequently purchase meals. If you decide to cook by yourself, you can save significantly, as expenses should not exceed INR 6,000 per month.
From storefronts to online grocery shopping, Mumbai offers abundant options for meeting your daily needs. If your lifestyle is not luxurious, you should not be spending more than INR 4,000 to INR 5,000 per month on essentials.
However, be aware of the upscale neighbourhoods of Mumbai.
Mumbai vs Bangalore: Cost of food
If you are a foodie, the cost of food plays an important role when deciding between living in Mumbai and Bangalore. Bangalore offers several takeaway options through meal aggregators. Purchasing two meals daily will cost you around INR 300, or around INR 8,000 to INR 9,000 per month. Students and working bachelors can save money by hiring cooks. You can find househelps in Bangalore through agencies, personal enquiries, or referrals.
Though Mumbai is renowned for its variety of street cuisine, you cannot sustain just on these dishes. You can get home-cooked meals delivered anywhere in Mumbai by delivery services similar to the internationally renowned “Dabbawalas”. The monthly cost for tiffin services ranges from INR 1,500 to INR 4,000. You can also cook by yourself or hire a cook. Depending on your needs, you should expect to pay between INR 5,000 and INR 9,000 per month for a maid/cook.
Mumbai vs Bangalore: Electricity bills
Electricity bills are another parameter in the Mumbai vs Bangalore cost of living comparison list. You may not require an AC for most of the year in Bangalore given its pleasant climate, but power is more expensive. The average cost of one unit of electricity is INR 4.10, which can reach INR 1,100-1,400 per month for a 2-BHK apartment. For those who use ACs, geysers, and other power guzzlers, their monthly energy bills can range from INR 5,000 to INR 10,000.
Proximity to the sea gives Mumbai a humid climate, and it remains warm most of the year. You may need to always turn on the AC during summers. Water and electricity bills can come around INR 4,000 to INR 5,000 per month for a 1-BHK apartment, and up to INR 10,000 per month for a 2-BHK unit. A broadband connection costs between INR 500 and INR 1,500 per month, which is comparable with other cities.
Mumbai vs Bangalore: Transportation
Mumbai and Bangalore are metropolitan cities with complex transportation ecosystems. A Mumbai vs Bangalore transportation cost comparison must be made when deciding which city has lower living costs.
You can use cabs, autorickshaws, metros, and buses to reach your destination in both cities. They are available 24×7 almost all through the year. You can save on money with BMTC buses and the metro in Bangalore, but if you’re pressed for time, you can opt for taxi services. Choosing between autorickshaws, the metro, buses, and taxis, the monthly cost of transportation should not exceed INR 3,000 in this southern cosmopolis.
Local trains are Mumbai’s lifeline. The cheapest means to commute to and from work is by train, whereby a monthly ticket costs INR 1,200. In addition, the city has an extensive network of low-cost public buses, “kaali-peeli” taxis, and the metro. To commute in a cab or autorickshaw, you can budget between INR 2,000 and INR 3,000 every month.
Mumbai vs Bangalore: Childcare and schooling expenses
Those with families need to check out childcare and education expenses while deciding to relocate to either Mumbai or Bangalore. In Bangalore, the cost of living surges drastically between a single individual and a household with children. The city has some of the world’s finest schools, colleges, and universities. The monthly kindergarten fee may range between INR 4,750 and INR 12,000. Depending on the institution, a child’s annual international school tuition fee can vary between INR 1 lakh and INR 3 lakh.
The cost of living in Mumbai may be affordable for a student or bachelor, but raising a child can be costly. Finding a preschool for less than INR 1,000 per month is possible. In more affluent neighborhoods, it may cost as much as INR 15,000 per month or even more. Private ICSE and CBSE schools charge between INR 50,000 and INR 1.5 lakh annually, while prominent international institutions charge an average of INR 3.5 lakh annually.
Mumbai vs Bangalore: Shopping
For shopaholics, shopping is a key criterion when comparing the Mumbai vs Bangalore cost of living. Bangalore has everything, from posh retail outlets to traditional marketplaces. Check out Chickpea, MG Road, and Commercial Street for trendy apparel and accessories. With a monthly budget of INR 5,000, you can complete your purchases if you are limited on funds. However, the rates will substantially increase if you purchase branded items from malls.
If you prefer a combination of high-end retail and bargain hunting, you will have an enriching shopping experience in Mumbai. The city provides a variety of shopping experiences to suit every budget and taste, from sifting through Bandra’s outdoor vendors for fashion rejects, to splurging on luxury brands at fancy stores. You can set aside a monthly budget of INR 2,000 to INR 3,000 for your purchases.
Mumbai vs Bangalore: Entertainment expenses
Life is a drag without entertainment. But it can be a costly affair if you are living in a metropolitan city. While making a Mumbai vs Bangalore cost of living comparison, entertainment expenses are an important parameter, especially for those who like spending time with family and friends. In Bangalore, you may be excited to enjoy the city’s vibrant nightlife and intriguing attractions. Multiplexes, eating alternatives, gaming zones, and other interests can appease your entertainment needs.
Weekend movie tickets cost around INR 300 per person. Other attractions include Wonderla, Lalbagh Botanical Garden, and Bannerghatta Biological Park. With a monthly budget of INR 2,000 to INR 3,000, you can fully enjoy life in this city.
Mumbai’s entertainment value is substantially enhanced by its proximity to Bollywood. There are theatre performances, art exhibits, and vintage multiplexes wherein you can watch the latest movie every day of the week. A weekend in Mumbai has everything one can desire, including clubs, pubs, and natural attractions. You can spend a fantastic weekend in the city on a budget of just INR 1,000.
Final thoughts
The criteria listed above will aid you in determining which city to select. Both cities have their strengths and weaknesses, as well as peculiar financial ramifications. Comparing the Mumbai vs Bangalore cost of living reveals that Mumbai is 15-20% costlier. The rental cost of living in Mumbai is more than Bangalore, which has a higher public transportation cost.
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