What Is the Cost of Living in Chennai?
Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, is popular as it is the biggest economic, educational and cultural centre of South India. This city is located on the southern coast of India. Owing to its hospitality, Chennai is one of the top cities in the world. Furthermore, it ranks in the list of safest cities in India.
Compared to the other metropolitan cities in India, Chennai is considerably cheaper. In this article, we will talk about the cost of living in Chennai.
How Much Does It Cost to Live in Chennai?
The cost of living in Chennai for a bachelor, student, couple or family of four depends on several factors such as accommodation, groceries, utilities, transportation, etc. Planning these things wisely before settling down in the city helps you manage your monthly expenses and does not become a burden to your pockets. The table below shows the approximate cost of living in Chennai for a family of four, bachelors, students and couples –
| Area of Expense | Bachelors or Students | Couples | Family of Four (2 Adults + 2 Kids) |
| Accommodation | ₹ 4,000 - ₹ 8,000 | ₹ 10,000 - ₹ 15,000 | ₹ 10,000 - ₹ 25,000 |
| Groceries | ₹ 1,500 - ₹ 2,500 | ₹ 3,000 - ₹ 8,000 | ₹ 5,000 - ₹ 15,000 |
| Transport | ₹ 1,000 - ₹ 1,600 | ₹ 1,500 - ₹ 2,500 | ₹ 1,800 - ₹ 4,000 |
| Utilities | ₹ 1,200 - ₹ 2,500 | ₹ 2,200 - ₹ 3,000 | ₹ 2,200 - ₹ 3,000 |
| Entertainment | ₹ 4,000 - ₹ 7,000 | ₹ 1,500 - ₹ 4,000 | ₹ 2,000 - ₹ 5,000 |
| Schooling of kids | NA | NA | ₹ 3,000 - ₹ 12,000 |
What Are the Factors That Determine the Cost of Living in Chennai?
The several parameters that decide the average cost of living in Chennai are as follows –
1. Accommodation
Finding a decent place to stay in is the first thing one does once they move to a new city. Chennai provides a lot of options in this regard. Generally, it is wise to consider one-third of your monthly salary to pay your house rent.
| Classification of Rentals | Rent per Month |
|---|---|
| 1 BHK | ₹ 6,000 - ₹ 18,000 |
| 2 BHK | ₹ 9,000 - ₹ 23,000 |
| 3 BHK | ₹ 15,000 - ₹ 40,000 |
| Paying Guest | ₹ 5,000 - ₹ 20,000 |
Best Areas to Live in Chennai
The table below shows the top affordable, posh and areas with paying guest facilities in Chennai–
| Posh Areas | Affordable Areas | Areas With PG Accommodation |
| Boat Club | Vandalur | Sholinganallur |
| Poes Garden | Tambaram | Velachery |
| East-coast Road | Periyar Nagar | Thiruvanmiyur |
| Nungambakkam | Adambakkam | Anna Nagar |
| Velachery | Siruseri | Navalur |
| Adyar | Iyyappanthangal | Thoraipakkam |
| Gopalapuram | Guduvanchery | Perungudi |
| OMR | Madipakkam | Nungambakkam |
| Besant Nagar | Annanur | Adyar |
| Rutland Gate Road | Avadi | Guindy |
2. Transportation
The approximate cost of commuting around Chennai can range between ₹ 1,000 - ₹ 1,500. However, this depends on the type of transportation and distance of travel. Staying close to your college or workspace is a wise idea as it can save a lot of time and money. The table below illustrates the approximate cost of travelling in Chennai –
| Area of Expense | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| One-way ticket (public transport) | ₹ 30 |
| Monthly pass (public transport) | ₹ 1,000 |
| Taxi 1 km normal tariff | ₹ 15 |
| Price of diesel (as of 25th April) | ₹ 100.94 per litre |
| Price of petrol (as of 25th April) | ₹ 110.85 per litre |
| Rental bikes and scooters | ₹ 5 - ₹ 6 per km |
| Cabs (minimum cost) | ₹ 9 - ₹ 13 per km |
3. Groceries
Starting from local markets to supermarkets, Chennai offers you a lot of options to buy the things of daily needs. In general, cooking your own food or hiring a cook is always considered cheaper than eating outside. The following table provides the approximate price of some basic grocery items –
| Grocery | Price |
|---|---|
| Regular milk (1 litre) | ₹ 47 |
| White bread (1 loaf) | ₹ 37 |
| Rice (1 kg) | ₹ 54 |
| Regular eggs (1 dozen) | ₹ 66 |
| Local cheese (1 kg) | ₹ 573 |
| Chicken fillets (1 kg) | ₹ 247 |
| Apples (1 kg) | ₹ 196 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | ₹ 56 |
| Oranges (1 kg) | ₹ 101 |
| Tomato (1 kg) | ₹ 33 |
| Potato (1 kg) | ₹ 37 |
| Onion (1 kg) | ₹ 39 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | ₹ 42 |
4. Utilities
A significant part of an individual's monthly expense goes into paying the utility bills. This bill contains the electricity bill, telephone bill, TV, water supply bill, gas supply, internet and many more. Due to the scarcity of water in Chennai, these charges vary from place to place.
| Utilities | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Electricity, cooling, heating, water, garbage | ₹ 1,500 - ₹ 3,000 |
| Local prepaid mobile tariff (1 min) | ₹ 0.89 |
| Unlimited internet package | ₹ 700 - ₹ 1,500 |
5. Entertainment and Leisure
Every person needs to relax after a tiring day of work or study. Being a city in the coastal region, Chennai offers the people some majestic places to relax and spend the evenings. Furthermore, the city hosts a number of amusement parks where you can go with your family and enjoy the weekend.
| Area of Expense | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 month gym membership | ₹ 1,400 |
| 1 hour rent for a tennis court | ₹ 540 |
| 1 seat at a cinema hall | ₹ 200 |
| Meal in an affordable restaurant (1 person) | ₹ 120 |
| Three-course meal in a mid-range restaurant | ₹ 1,000 |
| McMeal at McDonald's | ₹ 300 |
6. Childcare and Schooling
Chennai is popular for its well-known educational system. Several colleges and schools are reputed across India. One can find both government and private schools in the city. The monthly tuition fees add a significant amount to the monthly cost of living in Chennai.
| Schools and Childcare | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Preschool, private, full-day for 1 child | ₹ 6,120 per month |
| International primary school for 1 child | ₹ 1,12,000 yearly |
Therefore, these are the approximate data regarding the cost of living in Chennai. An individual's lifestyle and standard of living play the most crucial role in deciding the living expenses in Chennai. So, managing your expenses can save you from getting broke.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chennai a costly city?
Chennai is not as expensive as the other metropolitan cities in India. Though, a person’s living standards play the most important role in deciding the monthly cost of living in Chennai.
What are the most expensive areas in Chennai?
Posh areas such as Boat Club and Poe Garden are the costliest areas in Chennai.