Cost of living in India compared to China
Currency:
| Food | - 26% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in India is 26% cheaper than in China | ||||
| India | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₨429 (36元) | 41元 | - 13% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₨363 (31元) | 38元 | - 20% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₨179 (15元) | 15元 | + 2% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₨61 (5.14元) | 14元 | - 63% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₨102 (9元) | 16元 | - 45% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₨44 (3.73元) | 10元 | - 64% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₨251 (21元) | 50元 | - 58% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₨194 (16元) | 16元 | + 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₨41 (3.48元) | 6元 | - 46% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₨162 (14元) | 7元 | + 103% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₨926 (78元) | 89元 | - 12% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₨92 (8元) | 8元 | - 4% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₨41 (3.41元) | 13元 | - 73% | |
| Housing | - 51% | |||
| Housing in India is 51% cheaper than in China | ||||
| India | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₨45,895 (3,857元) | 11,256元 | - 66% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₨29,581 (2,486元) | 5,248元 | - 53% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₨5,552 (467元) | 450元 | + 4% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₨29,565 (2,485元) | 6,564元 | - 62% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₨17,736 (1,491元) | 3,518元 | - 58% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₨4,989 (419元) | 296元 | + 42% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₨731 (61元) | 100元 | - 38% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₨26,612 (2,237元) | 1,460元 | + 53% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₨12,652 (1,063元) | 553元 | + 92% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₨516 (43元) | 43元 | + 1% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₨523 (44元) | 50元 | - 11% | |
| Clothes | - 41% | |||
| Clothes in India is 41% cheaper than in China | ||||
| India | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₨2,400 (202元) | 418元 | - 52% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₨2,579 (217元) | 302元 | - 28% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₨3,981 (335元) | 553元 | - 40% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₨2,875 (242元) | 705元 | - 66% | |
| Transportation | - 17% | |||
| Transportation in India is 17% cheaper than in China | ||||
| India | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₨1,738,230 (146,087元) | 137,169元 | + 7% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₨104 (9元) | 8元 | + 17% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₨1,614 (136元) | 228元 | - 41% | |
| Personal Care | - 51% | |||
| Personal Care in India is 51% cheaper than in China | ||||
| India | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₨89 (7元) | 45元 | - 83% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₨217 (18元) | 59元 | - 69% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₨1,172 (98元) | 114元 | - 13% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₨329 (28元) | 67元 | - 59% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₨220 (18元) | 57元 | - 68% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₨302 (25元) | 25元 | + 1% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₨195 (16元) | 6元 | + 166% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₨95 (8元) | 15元 | - 48% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₨322 (27元) | 64元 | - 58% | |
| Entertainment | - 31% | |||
| Entertainment in India is 31% cheaper than in China | ||||
| India | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₨1,424 (120元) | 169元 | - 29% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₨604 (51元) | 100元 | - 49% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₨1,842 (155元) | 1,179元 | - 87% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₨2,143 (180元) | 320元 | - 44% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₨766 (64元) | 81元 | - 20% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₨240 (20元) | 28元 | - 27% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₨208 (17元) | 19元 | - 9% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₨42,526 (3,574元) | 3,680元 | - 3% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₨7 (0.57元) | 0.34元 | + 70% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₨1,579 (133元) | 394元 | - 66% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₨272 (23元) | 25元 | - 8% | |
| TOTAL | - 34% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 13, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.08404
CNY
/
INR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 4,534 prices entered by 613 different people.
Cost of living in India is 34% cheaper than in China
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