Cost of Living in Delhi (2026) — Monthly Budget

Wondering how far your salary goes in Delhi? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.

What things cost

One-bed apartment, South Delhi coloniesINR 35,000–70,000 / month

One-bed apartment, Gurgaon or NoidaINR 25,000–50,000 / month

Delhi Metro monthly travelINR 1,500–2,500 / month

Groceries, one personINR 7,000–13,000 / month

Air purifiers, two roomsINR 30,000–60,000 up front plus filters — a genuine and necessary line item

Good to know

Population

≈33 million across the National Capital Region — among the largest urban agglomerations on earth

Languages

Hindi and English are both official; Punjabi and Urdu are widely spoken

Currency

Indian rupee (INR)

Time zone

IST (GMT+5:30) — India has a single time zone and no daylight saving

Power plug

Types C, D and M, 230 V / 50 Hz

Climate

Humid subtropical with extremes — 45°C+ in May and June, cold foggy Januaries, and a short monsoon

Driving side

Left

Air quality

Routinely 'very poor' to 'severe' from late October to January — the defining fact of living here

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.

A note on budgeting

Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Delhi checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.