🇮🇳 India · A realistic 2026 budget for newcomers — rent, food, transport, and what a month actually costs.
Wondering how far your salary goes in Surat? 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 flat, Vesu, Piplod or City LightINR 14,000–28,000 / month
One-bed flat, Adajan, Pal or KatargamINR 8,000–16,000 / month
Gujarati thali, unlimited, at a good local placeINR 200–400
Groceries, one personINR 6,000–10,000 / month
Domestic help, part-timeINR 2,500–6,000 / month — an ordinary middle-class arrangement here
Good to know
Population
≈7.5 million across the urban agglomeration — one of India's fastest-growing large cities
Languages
Gujarati is the state language; Hindi is the working language of a very large migrant workforce; English works professionally
Currency
Indian rupee (INR)
Time zone
IST (GMT+5:30) — one time zone for the whole country, no daylight saving
Power plug
Types C, D and M, 230 V / 50 Hz
Climate
Tropical savanna on the Gulf of Khambhat — humid rather than scorching, a very heavy June-to-September monsoon, and superb dry Decembers
Alcohol
Prohibited. Foreign nationals and non-residents of Gujarat may apply for a permit; there are no ordinary bars or liquor shops, and no local GIFT City exemption
Electricity supplier
Torrent Power holds the private licence for the city; DGVCL supplies much of the surrounding district — the address decides which
Some of this may be out of date.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 Surat checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.
Plan your move to Surat
A free, AI-personalized plan — the language, culture, and setup steps timed to your move date.