Cost of living in India compared to China
Currency:
| Food | - 25% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in India is 25% cheaper than in China | ||||
| India | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₨409 (35元) | 42元 | - 17% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₨351 (30元) | 36元 | - 17% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₨175 (15元) | 15元 | + 2% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₨62 (5.36元) | 14元 | - 61% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₨102 (9元) | 16元 | - 44% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₨44 (3.78元) | 11元 | - 64% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₨267 (23元) | 50元 | - 54% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₨195 (17元) | 16元 | + 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₨40 (3.44元) | 7元 | - 48% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₨174 (15元) | 7元 | + 123% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₨966 (83元) | 94元 | - 12% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₨94 (8元) | 9元 | - 7% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₨43 (3.73元) | 13元 | - 70% | |
| Housing | - 50% | |||
| Housing in India is 50% cheaper than in China | ||||
| India | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₨47,980 (4,118元) | 12,689元 | - 68% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₨29,589 (2,540元) | 5,937元 | - 57% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₨5,089 (437元) | 450元 | - 3% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₨30,889 (2,651元) | 6,875元 | - 61% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₨19,044 (1,635元) | 3,656元 | - 55% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₨5,850 (502元) | 296元 | + 70% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₨772 (66元) | 100元 | - 33% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₨26,892 (2,308元) | 1,460元 | + 58% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₨11,431 (981元) | 553元 | + 77% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₨540 (46元) | 43元 | + 8% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₨1,003 (86元) | 55元 | + 55% | |
| Clothes | - 38% | |||
| Clothes in India is 38% cheaper than in China | ||||
| India | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₨2,514 (216元) | 418元 | - 48% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₨2,598 (223元) | 296元 | - 25% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₨4,025 (345元) | 553元 | - 38% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₨2,906 (249元) | 705元 | - 65% | |
| Transportation | - 18% | |||
| Transportation in India is 18% cheaper than in China | ||||
| India | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₨1,814,710 (155,752元) | 148,726元 | + 5% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₨104 (9元) | 8元 | + 17% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₨1,554 (133元) | 228元 | - 42% | |
| Personal Care | - 52% | |||
| Personal Care in India is 52% cheaper than in China | ||||
| India | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₨94 (8元) | 51元 | - 84% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₨262 (22元) | 84元 | - 73% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₨1,182 (101元) | 114元 | - 11% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₨391 (34元) | 67元 | - 50% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₨229 (20元) | 57元 | - 65% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₨269 (23元) | 25元 | - 8% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₨195 (17元) | 7元 | + 141% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₨99 (8元) | 13元 | - 32% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₨322 (28元) | 85元 | - 67% | |
| Entertainment | - 32% | |||
| Entertainment in India is 32% cheaper than in China | ||||
| India | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₨1,417 (122元) | 178元 | - 32% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₨619 (53元) | 109元 | - 51% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₨1,545 (133元) | 1,179元 | - 89% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₨2,204 (189元) | 320元 | - 41% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₨843 (72元) | 81元 | - 11% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₨236 (20元) | 28元 | - 27% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₨198 (17元) | 15元 | + 12% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₨42,549 (3,652元) | 3,924元 | - 7% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₨5.62 (0.48元) | 0.34元 | + 44% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₨1,807 (155元) | 414元 | - 63% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₨279 (24元) | 25元 | - 4% | |
| TOTAL | - 33% | |||
These prices were last updated on April 18, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.08583
CNY
/
INR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 5,084 prices entered by 705 different people.
Cost of living in India is 33% cheaper than in China
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