This city is the costliest city in India, ahead of Delhi and Bangalore

City Rankings and Trends

Mumbai climbed 11 spots to rank 136th, while Delhi made a four-spot rise to 164th. Chennai has dropped five places to 189th, Bengaluru came down six spots to 195th, and Hyderabad remained steady at 202nd. Pune makes significant gains, jumping eight places to 205th, while Kolkata moves up four spots to 207th.

In Asia, Mumbai ranks as the 21st most expensive city, while Delhi is at the 30th position among the surveyed cities.

“Despite the global economic challenges, India has shown resilience in our 2024 Cost of Living Survey,” said Rahul Sharma, Mercer’s India Mobility Leader.

“Even though Mumbai’s has ranked higher in the cost of living survey, the overall affordability of Indian cities remains an attraction for multinational organisations or Indian companies aiming to attract global talent.

Our strong economy, driven by domestic demand and a robust services sector, provides a stable environment for global talent. As global housing costs and inflation rise, India’s growth story and improving living standards make it an attractive destination for international assignments,” he added.

Housing Rental Trends

In 2024, Delhi recorded the steepest rise in housing rents for expats, up by 12-15 per cent. Mumbai followed with a 6-8 per cent increase. Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, and Chennai have experienced increases ranging from 2-6 per cent, according to the report.

Transportation and Daily Essentials

Mumbai leads in transportation costs, particularly for automobiles and auto parts (not factoring the public transportation), closely followed by Bengaluru. Kolkata has the most economical prices for daily essentials like dairy products, bread, beverages, oils, fruits, and vegetables, with Pune not far behind.

Delhi boasts the lowest costs for alcohol and tobacco items.

For personal care products, Mumbai tops the rankings in expenses, followed by Chennai, while Kolkata offers the most economical living. Energy and utility expenses are highest in Mumbai, followed by Pune.

All of the above factors put together make Mumbai the costliest city in India.

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