Chennai is one of the affordable big cities to live in India, depending upon the type of household and number of people in the family. The cost of living in Chennai for bachelors, couples and families mainly differ, because of the type and size of housing and other lifestyle choices. We have compiled a list of detailed expenses for different types of lifestyle, family sizes and household types.
Table of Contents
See also: All about Chennai metro
Cost of living in Chennai
| Type of expense | Average cost |
| Meal for two, in an average restaurant | Rs 1,000 |
| Monthly pass for local transport | Rs 1,000 |
| Taxi fare (per km) | Rs 100 (Rs 15 for 2 kms onwards) |
| Car fuel | Rs 77 per litre |
| Electricity bill (basic utility- electricity, cooling and heating) for an 850-sq ft apartment | Rs 2,500 |
| Broadband (average speed 60 MBPS) | Rs 800 |
| Monthly gym membership | Rs 1,300 |
| Monthly school fee (primary) | Rs 2,500 – Rs 8,000 |
| Rent for 1BHK | Rs 8,000 – Rs 12,000 per month |
| Cost of 1BHK | Rs 40 lakhs – Rs 50 lakhs |
| Fruits (1kg) | Rs 150 |
| Vegetables (Potato, onion, lettuce) | Rs 110 |
Source: Numbeo
Given above is a detailed list of expenditure that you have to incur, on various things such as eating out, local transportation, fruits and vegetables, utility bills and home ownership cost.
Cost of living in Chennai for bachelors
Accommodation: Single occupants can opt for co-living or paying guest / PG accommodations in Chennai near their office, to save on transportation cost. Most of the dwelling options come with meal facility and its charges are included in the rent. Moreover, such accommodations may also offer facilities such as Wi-Fi, housekeeping and utility charges, etc. This may cost you Rs 5,000 – Rs 8,000, depending upon the locality. If you are going to live in a shared unit with your friends, you have to shell out a little extra, not just for the rent but also for the expenses that is otherwise covered in a co-living unit. This may cost you Rs 2,000 more than the former option.
See also: Cost of living in Bangalore
Lifestyle cost: As a bachelor, you would need to spend only on your needs and requirements when it comes to clothing and going out. Depending upon how frequently you go out, you may have to shell out Rs 700 – Rs 1,000 extra on each trip, if it includes eating out and a movie.
See also: How to apply for TNEB new connection?
Cost of living in Chennai for couples
Home ownership: A 1BHK for rent in Chennai, on an average, costs Rs 8,000 – Rs 12,000 per month, depending upon the locality and type of facilities available in the household. A slightly bigger apartment will be available at an average rent of Rs 11,000 – Rs 14,000 per month, depending upon the type and furnishing available inside the property. If you are planning to buy a property in one of the posh areas in Chennai, you will have to shell out around Rs 1.5 crores – Rs 3 crores for a 3BHK apartment. In an average locality, the cost will be Rs 70 lakhs – Rs 1 crore for a 3BHK apartment. The average property prices in Chennai are Rs 6,116 per sq ft.
See also: Know about posh areas in Mumbai
Transportation cost: You can save a lot if you plan to stay near your office. However, if you plan to use your own vehicle for commuting, you may need to shell out Rs 5,000 – Rs 6,000 per month for car fuel and maintenance. If you use public transportation, you would have to spend at least Rs 1,000 per month, depending upon the comfort you choose. If you are using the Chennai Metro, the maximum fare is Rs 50. So, working professionals in Chennai estimating the living cost must take these expenses into consideration.
See also: Cost of living in Mumbai
Lifestyle cost: For couples, there might be different kind of household costs that you have bear, which will include some basic, mandatory expenses such as utility bills, gym membership, grocery shopping, etc. This can cost you around Rs 8,000 – Rs 10,000 per month, depending upon your personal choice and usage. Other expenses in Chennai, which may increase the overall living costs will be shopping expenses, going out, etc.
Cost of living in Chennai for families
| Configuration | Average rent | Average capital values (buy price) of property |
| 1BHK | Rs 12,000 | Rs 40 lakhs |
| 2BHK | Rs 20,000 | Rs 55 lakhs |
| 3BHK | Rs 30,000 | Rs 80 lakhs |
Source: Housing.com
The overall cost of living in Chennai for a family is approximately Rs 50,000. One must take into account several expenses, including monthly utility bills, food, transportation, domestic help, and other costs. Some of them are discussed below:
Home ownership: A 2BHK for rent in Chennai, for a family of three, on an average will range around Rs 12,000 – Rs 15,000 per month, which may depend upon the housing society, locality and quality of housing option. If you are buying a property for sale in Chennai, the cost of living may include usual EMI which will depend on prevalent interest rates along with monthly maintenance charges of the housing society. A 3BHK apartment cost in Chennai varies according to locality type and housing society. In an expensive area like Adyar, the property prices are Rs 14,751 per sq ft while in T Nagar, the prices are around Rs 15,137 per sq ft.
Education cost: The city has some of the best educational institutions, including schools and colleges. The average monthly expenses incurred by parents for their children’s primary school fees can be around Rs. 8000 or higher.
Utilities costs: The overall cost of electricity, water, and maintenance charges may range from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000. Additionally, one must consider Rs 1500 to Rs 2,000 towards mobile, TV and internet charges. Cooking gas expenses is around Rs 1,100 in the city.
Other costs: For a family living in Chennai, the cost of living will include school fees of children, cook/maid’s salary, property tax, shopping expenses, meals, going out, groceries, etc. This could cost you around Rs 15,000 – Rs 20,000 per month, depending upon the number of people in the family. The transportation cost of each individual can be around Rs 1,000 – Rs 2,000 per month, depending upon the total distance travelled.
See also: Indane gas new connection price and how to apply for a new connection?
Cost of living in Chennai: Factors to consider
If you are planning to move to Chennai and are trying to understand the living cost in the city, then you must consider a few important factors. These include:
- The type of property you choose
- Your job or profession
- Whether you reside in a 1 BHK or a 2BHK apartment
- If you are living alone or with family
- Your financial status
- The overall household expenses, including costs of education, food, transportation, utilities, house help, etc.
FAQs
What salary is needed to live comfortably in Chennai?
For a comfortable living, the salary should be around Rs 30,000 - Rs 50,000 per month.
Is Chennai cheaper than Bangalore?
Chennai is only slightly more affordable than Bengaluru, because of transportation cost and real estate prices.
Is Chennai an expensive city?
Chennai is not an expensive city. You get everything here in all possible price ranges.
Which is the richest area in Chennai?
Boat Club and Poes Garden are some of the most expensive areas in Chennai.
(With inputs from Surbhi Gupta)
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Harini Balasubramanian
Harini is a content management professional with over 12 years of experience. She has contributed articles for various domains, including real estate, finance, health and travel insurance and e-governance. She has in-depth experience in writing well-researched articles on property trends, infrastructure, taxation, real estate projects and related topics. A Bachelor of Science with Honours in Physics, Harini prefers reading motivational books and keeping abreast of the latest developments in the real estate sector.
