Cost of Living in India: What It Really Costs to Live and Travel

When people ask about the cost of living in India, the average monthly expense for a single person on a modest budget, including rent, food, transport, and basic needs. Also known as daily expenses in India, it’s one of the most misunderstood topics for travelers and expats alike. It’s not just about cheap street food or low hotel rates—it’s about understanding how far your money goes in real life, day after day.

The budget travel India, a style of traveling that prioritizes affordability without sacrificing safety or experience. Also known as low-cost India trips, it’s built on knowing where to spend and where to save. A Coke costs less than $0.50 at a local stall, but the same drink in a tourist hotel might hit $2.50. A simple meal at a local eatery? Around $1.50. A clean, basic hotel room in a mid-sized city? Often under $15 a night. Public buses and trains move you across states for less than $10. These aren’t guesses—they’re what people actually pay.

Then there’s India travel expenses, the total amount spent over the course of a trip, including flights, visas, activities, and daily spending. Also known as travel budget India, it’s shaped by where you go and how you move. A week in Goa might cost $200 if you stick to local beaches and home-cooked meals. A week in Jaipur, visiting palaces and staying in heritage guesthouses, might run $250. And if you skip the fancy resorts and ride the trains, you can slash that even more. The key isn’t just being cheap—it’s being smart. Avoid tourist traps. Eat where locals eat. Use local transport. Skip the bottled water unless you have to.

And don’t forget cheap accommodation India, affordable lodging options ranging from dorm rooms and guesthouses to homestays and budget hotels. Also known as low-cost stays in India, they’re everywhere and often better than you expect. You can sleep in a clean, fan-cooled room with a private bathroom for $8 in Mysore. In Kerala, a homestay with breakfast might cost $12. Even in Delhi, you’ll find places under $20 that are safe, central, and quiet. These aren’t hostels with shared toilets—they’re real places where people live and travelers stay.

Food is where India truly shines. A plate of dal, rice, and roti at a roadside dhaba? $1. A plate of biryani in Hyderabad? $2. A fresh fruit smoothie? 50 cents. Even if you eat out three times a day, you’re still under $10. And if you’re staying somewhere with a kitchen? Groceries are dirt cheap. Rice, lentils, vegetables, spices—all cost a fraction of what they do elsewhere. You don’t need to eat fancy to eat well here.

Compare that to Thailand, the Maldives, or even Indonesia. India doesn’t just beat them on price—it wins by a landslide. You get more for less. More history, more culture, more flavor, more space. And you don’t need a big budget to experience it. The real question isn’t whether India is affordable—it’s why you’d go anywhere else.

What you’ll find below are real, practical stories from people who’ve lived it: how much a taxi ride costs in Bangalore, why you should never pay full price for a temple ticket, how to find a $5 night in a hill station, and what $100 really buys you across the country. No fluff. No hype. Just the numbers, the tips, and the truths that matter when you’re trying to make your money last.