Cost of living in Mumbai (India) is 28% cheaper than in Johannesburg (South Africa)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,141 prices entered by 147 different people.
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Food | - 9% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Mumbai (India) is 9% cheaper than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Mumbai | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₨381 (R 86) | R 150 | - 43% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₨401 (R 91) | R 83 | + 10% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₨207 (R 47) | R 51 | - 8% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₨69 (R 16) | R 19 | - 19% | |
12 eggs, large | ₨85 (R 19) | R 43 | - 56% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₨52 (R 12) | R 27 | - 57% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₨278 (R 63) | R 74 | - 14% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₨176 (R 40) | R 28 | + 40% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₨39 (R 9) | R 24 | - 63% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₨198 (R 45) | R 24 | + 90% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₨1,385 (R 313) | R 95 | + 229% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | ₨103 (R 23) | R 25 | - 7% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₨39 (R 9) | R 18 | - 51% | |
Housing | + 5% | |||
Housing in Mumbai (India) is 5% more expensive than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Mumbai | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₨101,000 (R 22,859) | R 14,072 | + 62% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₨51,136 (R 11,573) | R 10,985 | + 5% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₨9,723 (R 2,201) | R 2,054 | + 7% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₨53,877 (R 12,194) | R 8,356 | + 46% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₨31,102 (R 7,039) | R 6,336 | + 11% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₨7,592 (R 1,718) | R 2,487 | - 31% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₨745 (R 169) | R 740 | - 77% | |
40” flat screen tv | ₨35,114 (R 7,947) | R 4,916 | + 62% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₨12,603 (R 2,852) | R 1,709 | + 67% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₨561 (R 127) | R 126 | + 1% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₨326 (R 74) | R 59 | + 25% | |
Clothes | + 11% | |||
Clothes in Mumbai (India) is 11% more expensive than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Mumbai | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₨2,856 (R 646) | R 860 | - 25% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₨3,795 (R 859) | R 585 | + 47% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₨6,250 (R 1,415) | R 1,619 | - 13% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₨3,342 (R 756) | R 1,364 | - 45% | |
Transportation | - 60% | |||
Transportation in Mumbai (India) is 60% cheaper than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
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Mumbai | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₨1,457,480 (R 329,862) | R 444,050 | - 26% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₨108 (R 24) | R 24 | + 2% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | ₨878 (R 199) | R 1,222 | - 84% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ₨234 (R 53) | R 164 | - 68% | |
Personal Care | - 37% | |||
Personal Care in Mumbai (India) is 37% cheaper than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Mumbai | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₨115 (R 26) | R 77 | - 66% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₨268 (R 61) | R 306 | - 80% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₨907 (R 205) | R 657 | - 69% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₨298 (R 67) | R 46 | + 46% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₨238 (R 54) | R 35 | + 52% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₨306 (R 69) | R 76 | - 9% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | ₨165 (R 37) | R 35 | + 7% | |
Tube of toothpaste | ₨86 (R 19) | R 26 | - 24% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₨351 (R 79) | R 169 | - 53% | |
Entertainment | - 17% | |||
Entertainment in Mumbai (India) is 17% cheaper than in Johannesburg (South Africa) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Mumbai | Johannesburg | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₨1,561 (R 353) | R 444 | - 20% | |
2 tickets to the movies | ₨573 (R 130) | R 234 | - 45% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₨1,303 (R 295) | R 820 | - 64% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₨2,446 (R 554) | R 700 | - 21% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₨711 (R 161) | R 95 | + 70% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₨309 (R 70) | R 34 | + 106% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₨329 (R 74) | R 36 | + 109% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₨42,273 (R 9,567) | R 10,605 | - 10% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₨1.13 (R 0.26) | R 1.80 | - 86% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | ₨2,264 (R 512) | R 687 | - 25% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₨328 (R 74) | R 49 | + 51% | |
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TOTAL | - 28% |

These prices were last updated on September 20, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.22632
ZAR
/
INR
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require R 44,000 in Johannesburg you would need to make just about R 31,657 (₨139,877) in Mumbai.
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