COST OF LIVING IN DELHI

How much does it cost to live in Delhi, India? Well this becomes an important question for all those people who are planning on shifting to Delhi for any reason. The top reason for shifting to delhi is usually Job related. Delhi being the capital of Delhi boosts of a good infrastructure as compared to the other cities in India. With the world class metro train running through Delhi, the Delhi Transport Corporation(DTC) adding new buses, New flyovers coming up everyday and wide roads, it is a good city to live in especially with Common Wealth games coming up in 2010. Except for the extreme temperature conditions(too hot in summer and too cold in winter) that plague the city through out the year its still worthwhile.

Todays Exchange rate is 1 $= INR 41.6

1. Renting an Apartment : Renting an apartment in Delhi is a difficult task in itself, but the costs for a 2 BHK can range between INR 5000 to INR 50000/- depending on the location. The NCR(National Capital Region places around delhi like Gurgaon, Noida etc.) seem to be the hotspots with a lot of developments in these areas and a lot of expats living here. South Delhi has some very Posh locations and a lot of companies have there offices in and around South Delhi and the cost of renting an apartment in South Delhi can range from 15000 INR to 25000 INR. Apart from the rent usually the landlords prefer to take a security deposit equivalent to 3 months of rent , which is returnable once you leave the apartment.

2. Groceries : The cost of groceries per month can be between INR 12000 to INR 16000 for a couple with a plenty of new retail stores opening up in Delhi everyday, its very convinent and fruits and vegetables availble in Delhi are usually fresh.

3. Eating Out : For a couple on an average the cost of eating out in a good restaurant can be between INR 1500 to INR 2000, and add another INR 1000 if you include drinks. Generally a beer in a restaurant can cost between INR 150 to INR 250. Food is generally on every Delhite's mind being a mainly Punjabi Populated, There are a plenty of good small restaurants available and the street food is also generally very good. The cost of eating out in a small restaurant or street side is about INR 250 to INR 500 for a couple.

4. Petrol Prices : As is the case around the world petrol prices are very volatile are bound to change soon but presently the prices of petrol are around INR 45 to 48 per litre.

5. Renting a cab/taxi : There are a plenty of call cabs/taxi services available and usually charge anywhere between INR 15 to INR 50 per kilometer of travel. You can also hire a cab for "4 hours and 80 km basis"which ever is first for INR 800 to INR 1500. With the Metro service available its getting very convinent to travel.

6. Communications : Mobile calls are maybe the cheapest in the world with a local calls can go as low as INR 0.50. There are two kinds of services available GSM and CDMA with multiple operators for both kinds of services. Handsets can start from INR 500 can go upto any amount. You have all kinds of value added services from mobile operators available like internet, GPS, text messaging, Multimedia Messaging etc.

7. Cost of Education for Kids : Some top end private schools charge anywhere between INR 25000 to INR 45000 as a quarterly fees. Good private schools charge between INR 12000 to INR 15000 quarterly fees. The schools during admission also charge some development charges which range from between INR 40000 to INR 150000.

8. Shopping : Shopping in Delhi is not generally a very costly affair unless and until you are targeting some top designer brands for which i think the cost would be the same everywhere else as well. Clothes and shoes are generally available across all Malls and shopping centers (Scores of them across Delhi). Branded and unbranded stuff is available. With a cost of unbranded jeans starting from INR 900 and shoes starting at INR 1500. A branded suit can be anywhere between the range of INR 5000 to INR 10000. You can also visit a retailers website with major stores in and around Delhi and all over INDIA here to get an idea of some prices of stuff.

I guess you can sum up your monthly budget from the information above. And maybe get a fair idea about cost of living in Delhi, INDIA.