- Cost of Living
- India
- United States
- Madras
- Chicago
- Comparison
Cost of living comparison between Madras (India) and Chicago (United States)
| Food | 54% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Madras (India) is 54% cheaper than in Chicago (United States) | |||
| Daily menu in the business district | ₨270 ($4.93) | $12.41 | 60% |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₨198 ($3.61) | $5.88 | 39% |
| 1/2 Kg (1 lb.) of chicken breast | ₨89 ($1.62) | $4.14 | 61% |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₨37 ($0.68) | $2.38 | 72% |
| 12 eggs, large | ₨52 ($0.96) | $2.21 | 57% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₨22 ($0.39) | $2.95 | 87% |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₨121 ($2.22) | $4.99 | 56% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₨146 ($2.66) | $3.42 | 22% |
| 2 kg (4,5 lb.) of potatoes | ₨45 ($0.82) | $3.43 | 76% |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) beer in the supermarket | ₨91 ($1.67) | $1.60 | 4% |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₨755 ($13.78) | $13.62 | 1% |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ₨58 ($1.05) | $1.55 | 32% |
| bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₨25 ($0.46) | $1.96 | 76% |
| Housing | 69% | ||
| Housing in Madras (India) is 69% cheaper than in Chicago (United States) | |||
| monthly rent for a 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished apartment in expensive area of the city | ₨22,500 ($411) | $1,516 | 73% |
| utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₨2,800 ($51) | $103 | 50% |
| Internet 8MB (1 month) | ₨1,137 ($21) | $38 | 46% |
| 40” flat screen TV | ₨42,111 ($769) | $487 | 58% |
| Microwave, known brand, 800/900 Watt | ₨7,333 ($134) | $86 | 56% |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₨184 ($3.36) | $6.99 | 52% |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₨164 ($3.00) | $22 | 87% |
| Clothes | 33% | ||
| Clothes in Madras (India) is 33% cheaper than in Chicago (United States) | |||
| 1 pair of Levis 501 | ₨2,228 ($41) | $46 | 11% |
| 1 summer dress in a chain store (Zara, H&M, ...) | ₨1,414 ($26) | $39 | 33% |
| 1 pair of Adidas trainers | ₨2,471 ($45) | $63 | 29% |
| 1 pair of average business shoes | ₨1,700 ($31) | $80 | 61% |
| Transportation | 66% | ||
| Transportation in Madras (India) is 66% cheaper than in Chicago (United States) | |||
| Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI 140 CV 6 vel. (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₨834,444 ($15,231) | $21,808 | 30% |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₨74 ($1.35) | $1.04 | 30% |
| monthly ticket public transport | ₨584 ($10.67) | $89 | 88% |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 Km. (5 miles) | ₨199 ($3.63) | $16.16 | 78% |
| Personal Care | 41% | ||
| Personal Care in Madras (India) is 41% cheaper than in Chicago (United States) | |||
| medicine against cold for 6 days (Frenadol, Coldrex, ...) | ₨181 ($3.29) | $7.21 | 54% |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ₨135 ($2.46) | $5.77 | 57% |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₨170 ($3.10) | $3.21 | 3% |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₨122 ($2.23) | $4.09 | 46% |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₨128 ($2.34) | $2.99 | 22% |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₨37 ($0.68) | $2.89 | 77% |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₨317 ($5.78) | $18.58 | 69% |
| Entertainment | 56% | ||
| Entertainment in Madras (India) is 56% cheaper than in Chicago (United States) | |||
| basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₨1,133 ($21) | $41 | 49% |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₨277 ($5.06) | $21 | 76% |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₨370 ($6.75) | $173 | 96% |
| dinner out for two in Italian restaurant with wine and dessert | ₨3,056 ($56) | $98 | 43% |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₨393 ($7.17) | $11.03 | 35% |
| Capuccino in expat area of the city | ₨93 ($1.70) | $4.10 | 58% |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub | ₨179 ($3.27) | $4.77 | 31% |
| iPod nano 16GB | ₨11,167 ($204) | $117 | 74% |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₨1.29 ($0.02) | $0.51 | 95% |
| 1 month of gym in business district | ₨1,614 ($29) | $70 | 58% |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarretes | ₨96 ($1.75) | $10.58 | 83% |
| TOTAL | 61% | ||
These prices were last updated on May 16, 2013.
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Cost of living in Madras (India) is 61% cheaper than in Chicago (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require
$2,500
in Chicago
you would need to make just about $978
(₨53,567)
in Madras.