A Complete Guide of Living in Mumbai (Pros & Cons, Cost, Benefits & More)
The financial capital of India, Mumbai is one of the most expensive cities to live in. In a recent survey, although there is no dearth of opportunities in the city yet people often find it difficult to adjust to the city. The major reason for this is the high expenses that eventually increase the cost of living in Mumbai. However, the monthly cost of living varies and depends on a lot of factors namely, family size, needs, expenses etc.
Cost of Living in Mumbai
Mumbai is one of the most expensive cities to live in India. This affects the cost of living and the expenses are too much. A rented accommodation in the city can cost anywhere between Rs 30,000 to Rs 10 lakhs. Whereas, buying a property is even more expensive, starting from Rs 50 lakhs. Here is a complete breakup of all the expenses in Mumbai.
| Cost of Living in Mumbai | |
| Expenses | Average cost |
| Average restaurant charges for two | Rs 1500 – Rs 2000 |
| Local transport pass cost | Rs 400 – Rs 600 |
| Taxi fare (km wise) | Rs 35 |
| Fuel for cars and other vehicles | Varies accordingly |
| Electricity bill for an apartment of area 800 square feet (average) | Rs 3500 – Rs 5000 |
| Broadband or internet service | Rs 800 monthly |
| Top Projects in Mumbai | |
| Rustomjee Cleon | Rustomjee Parishram |
| Rustomjee Seasons | Rustomjee Ashiana |
| Rustomjee Crown | Lodha Bellevue |
Cost of Living in Mumbai for Families
The cost of living in Mumbai for the family is extremely expensive and costs somewhere between Rs 1 lakhs to Rs 1.5 lakhs. Here is the complete breakup of all the expenses that make up the cost of living for families.
| Expenses | Average cost |
| Average restaurant charges for four | Rs 3000 |
| Local transport pass cost | Rs 800 per person |
| Taxi fare (km wise) | Rs 65 |
| Fuel for cars and other vehicles | Rs 20,000 |
| Electricity bill for an apartment of area 800 square feet (average) | Rs 8000 |
| Broadband or internet service | Rs 800 monthly |
| Kids School Fee | Rs 5000 – Rs 20000 |
| Rent for 2 BHK apartment | Rs 50,000 |
| Cost of 2 BHK apartment | Rs 2 Crore |
Cost of Living in Mumbai for Couples
The cost of living in Mumbai for couples is based on the expenses that they spend for a month. In general, the cost of living in couples varies between Rs 68000 to Rs 90000.
| Cost of Living in Mumbai for Couples | |
| Expenses | Average cost |
| Average restaurant charges for two | Rs 5000 – 6000 |
| Local transport pass cost | Rs 500 per person |
| Taxi fare (km wise) | Rs 65 |
| Fuel for cars and other vehicles | Rs 30,000 |
| Electricity bill for an apartment of area 800 square feet (average) | Rs 5000 |
| Broadband or internet service | Rs 800 monthly |
| Rent for 2 BHK apartment | Rs 60,000 |
| Cost of 2 BHK apartment | Rs 2 Crore |
Factors Affecting the Cost of Living in Mumbai
The cost of living in Mumbai depends on a lot of factors. These are the basic expenses that make up the cost of living for an individual, couple or family. The intensity of each expense depends on the demand and the family size. The following are major factors that affect the cost of living in Mumbai.
- Housing Costs
- Transportation Expenses
- Food and Dining Prices
- Education Expenses
- Healthcare Costs
- Entertainment and Recreation Expenses
- Utility Charges
- Taxes
- Inflation Rates
- Location within the City
Pros and Cons of Living in Mumbai
Here are the major pros and cons of living in Mumbai.
| Pros of Living in Mumbai | Cons of Living in Mumbai |
| Economic Opportunities | High Cost of Living |
| Cultural Diversity | Crowded and Traffic |
| Public Transportation | Hot and Humid Weather |
| Entertainment and Nightlife | Lack of Space |
| Food and Dining | Monsoon Flooding |
Affordable Places to Rent in Mumbai
Mumbai is an extremely large city and the different parts of the city are known for different hubs. The rent depends on the location, the infrastructure development and the total area you want to rent for yourself. The minimum rent in Mumbai is Rs 8000 and goes upto Rs 55,000. Here are major affordable places to rent in Mumbai.
| Affordable Places to Rent in Mumbai | ||||
| Locality | PG (Rent Per Month) | 1 BHK (Rent Per Month) | 2 BHK (Rent Per Month) | 3 BHK (Rent Per Month) |
| Andheri East | Rs.8,000 to Rs.14,000 | Rs.15,000 to Rs.25,000 | Rs.25,000 to Rs.35,000 | Rs.25,000 to Rs.45,000 |
| Bandra East | Rs.10,000 to Rs.15,000 | Rs.20,000 to Rs.30,000 | Rs.25,000 to Rs.40,000 | Rs.45,000 to Rs.60,000 |
| Thane | Rs.6,000 to Rs.9,000 | Rs.5,000 to Rs.30,000 | Rs.20,000 to Rs.25,000 | Rs.30,000 to Rs.60,000 |
| Versova | Rs.10,000 to Rs.20,000 | Rs.25,000 to Rs.40,000 | Rs.45,000 to Rs.60,000 | Rs.50,000 to Rs.65,000 |
| Goregaon | Rs.4,000 to Rs.15,000 | Rs.8,000 to Rs.20,000 | Rs.20,000 to Rs.30,000 | Rs.35,000 to Rs.50,000 |
| Juhu | Rs.15,000 to Rs.25,000 | Rs.35,000 to Rs.55,000 | Rs.45,000 to Rs.60,000 | Rs.55,000 to Rs.70,000 |
| Chembur | Rs.7,000 to Rs.18,000 | Rs.12,000 to Rs.30,000 | Rs.20,000 to Rs.30,000 | Rs.30,000 to Rs.45,000 |
| Navi Mumbai | Rs.5,000 to Rs.8,000 | Rs.6,000 to Rs.15,000 | Rs.15,000 to Rs.25,000 | Rs.20,000 to Rs.30,000 |
| Powai | Rs.5,000 to Rs.15,000 | Rs.10,000 to Rs.50,000 | Rs.45,000 to Rs.60,000 | Rs.55,000 to Rs.70,000 |
| Parel | Rs.7,000 to Rs.15,000 | Rs.20,000 to Rs.35,000 | Rs.25,000 to Rs.40,000 | Rs.45,000 to Rs.55,000 |
Average Salary in Mumbai
The average salary in Mumbai depends on the industry in which an individual works, his designation and the number of experience he has. Here is tentative data related to the average salary per annum for five top industries.
| Industry | Average salary per annum |
| Finance | Rs 7.1 lakhs |
| Energy and mining | Rs 6.5 lakhs |
| Recreation and travel | Rs 6.3 lakhs |
| Entertainment | Rs 6 lakhs |
| Transportation and logistics | Rs 5.5 lakhs |
Top 5 Social Joints in Mumbai
The following are the top five social joints in Mumbai that are often crowded during weekends and holidays.
- Bandra
Known as the “Queen of Suburbs,” Bandra is a trendy and vibrant neighbourhood in Mumbai. The area is famous for its bustling streets lined with cafes, restaurants, bars, and boutique shops. Bandra is a favourite hangout spot for the city’s young crowd.
- Colaba
Colaba is a popular tourist destination in Mumbai, located in South Mumbai. It is known for its historic landmarks, including the Gateway of India and the Colaba Causeway market. The area has a mix of upscale restaurants, trendy cafes, and art galleries, making it a hub for social interactions.
- Juhu
Juhu is a coastal area in the western suburbs of Mumbai, known for its famous Juhu Beach. The area is a popular spot for locals and visitors for leisure strolls along the beach. Juhu also has several cafes and restaurants with a view of the sea.
- Powai
Powai is a modern and upscale residential neighbourhood in Mumbai. It is home to Hiranandani Gardens with numerous cafes, restaurants, and recreational spots. Powai Lake and the Powai Garden are popular places for people to relax and socialise.
- Kala Ghoda
Kala Ghoda is a vibrant art and cultural district in South Mumbai. It is known for its art galleries, museums, and frequent cultural events. The area attracts a diverse crowd of artists, writers, and creative individuals, making it a lively social hub.
Weather in Mumbai
The mean maximum average temperatures in Mumbai are about 32 °C in summer and 30 °C in winter. Whereas, the average minimum temperature is 26 °C in summer and 18 °C in winter.
Mumbai City Map
Here is a detailed Mumbai city map that you can refer to properly locate the different parts of the city.
Transportation Facility in Mumbai
Local trains are the soul and heart of transportation in Mumbai. Around 80% of the population travel by local trains annually. Additionally, taxis, buses and cabs are also the preferred transportation options for the general public. With the growing population and traffic, the authorities launched Mumbai Metro in 2014. Presently, the metro has only one line which covers 17 stations only.
Jobs and work opportunities in Mumbai
Mumbai is the financial capital of the country and there is no dearth of job and work opportunities in the city. It is the home to the headquarters of various MNCs, government organisations like RBI, SEBI etc. The following are the major job offering areas in Mumbai.
- Consulting and Professional Services
- Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Retail and E-commerce
- Education and Teaching
- Real Estate and Construction
- Manufacturing
- Startups and Entrepreneurship
- Government Jobs
- Film and Entertainment
FAQs
- What are the pros and cons of living in Mumbai?
Ans. Great healthcare and a lesser language barrier are the pros whereas the high cost of living is the major con of living in Mumbai.
- How much money do you need to live comfortably in Mumbai?
Ans. One needs to spend Rs 40,000 to Rs 1,00,00 to live comfortably in Mumbai.
- What are the benefits of living in Mumbai?
Ans. The city is safer than most of the other metro cities making it one of the bets cities to live in.
- How much does it cost to live in Mumbai?
Ans. The cost of living in Mumbai ranges between Rs 55,000 to Rs 2 lakhs depending on the family size.
