Cost of Living in Chennai: Your Expense Guide for 2023

Chennai, previously known as Madras, the capital of Tamil Nadu, is one of India’s few affordable metro cities. Known as the educational, cultural, and economic centres of South India, this city is also known for being a major hub of hardware production, software development, and automobile manufacturing.

In this article, we’ll look at the factors that make up the cost of living in Chennai in 2023 to help you decide whether this city is ideal for your lifestyle.

Factors That Determine the Cost of Living in Chennai

The cost of living in Chennai changes depending on whether you are a bachelor or live with your family. Moreover, the quality of your living situation also highly depends on your lifestyle and spending habits. Several other factors also determine your living cost in the city. Here are some of them:

1. Rental

   The rental price in Chennai largely depends on the location you are looking to reside in. On average, a 1 BHK apartment may start around ₹8,000 to ₹20,000. A 2 BHK apartment may start from anywhere between ₹15,000 to ₹30,000, which will depend on the locality you choose. If you go for a posh neighbourhood, you will see the rent of your apartments on the higher side of the scale.

   Lastly, a 3 BHK apartment may cost you anywhere between ₹20,000 to ₹2,00,000 depending on the locality and the type of apartment (whether luxury or normal) you choose, with Nungambakkam, Adyar, and Besant Nagar being some of the posh areas.

   Apartment Type	Price Per Month (INR)
   1 BHK Apartment	₹7,000 to ₹20,000
   2 BHK Apartment	₹15,000 to ₹30,000
   3 BHK Apartment	₹20,000 to ₹2,00,000
   PG (Paying Guest)	₹8,000 to ₹20,000

2. Food and Groceries

   A decent restaurant for two in Chennai can be between ₹500 to ₹1,500. Depending on your eating habits, you can expect a grocery bill between ₹3,000 to ₹6,000 every month for one person, similar to other metro cities in India. And if you hire a cook, the average cost can be expected to be up to ₹4,000 every month.

3. Transportation

   Apart from a house and food, transportation is the next thing that affects your cost of living in Chennai. A monthly bus pass for one person is around ₹1,000, and a one-way public transport fare like a bus can be around ₹15 to ₹20. Ideally, the cost of living in Chennai for any type of public transport is around ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 per person and month.

4. Utilities

   While the sea breeze may relieve you from the scorching heat in Chennai, you will likely be spending a significant amount on electricity because the winter season stays for a short time in the city and the weather is usually humid and hot. Depending on the size of the home, you might spend anywhere between ₹1,500 to ₹2,500 on electricity bills.

   The broadband or internet services may cost anywhere from ₹800 to ₹1,500 monthly, while mobile charges can get between ₹500 to ₹700.

5. Education and Childcare

   Another factor that may impact your cost of living in Chennai is the childcare and schooling fees if you’re a family with kids. Depending on your child’s age and the type and location of the educational facility, the price of schooling and childcare may differ. Here are some estimated fee ranges at different stages of a child’s academic life:

   1. Preschool

      The average annual preschool fees can usually cost you around ₹20,000 to ₹1,50,000, depending on the type of school you choose.

   2. Primary and Secondary

      Depending on the locality of the primary and secondary school you choose, the annual fees can be around ₹50,000 to ₹3,00,000.

   3. International Schools

      The annual fees for an international school in Chennai are costlier, with the estimated average being ₹3,00,000 to anywhere near ₹20,00,000.

   4. Undergraduate Courses

      Depending on the bachelor course chosen, the range of fees may vary between ₹50,000 to ₹4,00,000.

   5. Postgraduate Courses

      Again, the fees for a postgraduate course depend on the choice of course chosen to study and are usually between ₹1,00,000 to ₹10,00,000 yearly.

   Apart from the educational facilities, childcare facilities like hiring a nanny for your kids may cost you between ₹12,000 to ₹15,000, and a day care service can be between ₹5,000 to ₹15,000 monthly, depending on the location you choose.

6. Shopping

   Apart from the educational facilities, childcare facilities like hiring a nanny for your kids may cost you between ₹12,000 to ₹15,000, and a day care service can be between ₹5,000 to ₹15,000 monthly, depending on the location you choose.

7. Entertainment

   Entertainment is different for everyone. Your cost of living in Chennai will differ based on the activity you choose to do for fun. Weekend dinners, movies, hanging out with friends at a café, going to clubs, and doing other activities will influence your monthly budget.

   1. Movie

      Depending on the movie, theatre, and screen and seat type, the average cost of a movie experience in Chennai is around ₹100 to ₹500.

   2. Amusement Park

      Based on the type of attractions, activities, and rides, and whether it’s an adult or a child, the entry fees can range between ₹500 to ₹2,000.

   3. Sports and Fitness

      Gym memberships can be around ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 every month, and sports facilities like tennis or badminton courts or cricket grounds can charge anywhere around ₹300 to ₹1,000 every hour.

   4. Nightlife

      The options for nightlife in Chennai are limited, but pubs and bars in the city may cost around ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 for a couple and depend largely on the area and the drinks.

   5. Cultural and Arts Events

      Depending on the event type and venue, the price of attending a cultural and arts event in Chennai is around ₹100 to ₹2000 per person.

What is the Cost of Living in Chennai for a Couple?

The cost of living in Chennai for a couple will majorly have you spending your money on rent, while groceries, utilities, commute, entertainment, and other factors will be a smaller portion. And if you decide to have accommodation nearby your office location, the commuting factor can subtract from the total.

Considering all this, your average cost of living in Chennai for a couple can be around ₹25,000 to ₹50,000.

What is the Cost of Living in Chennai for a Family?

Adding school and childcare fees to the existing rent, groceries, entertainment, food, commute, and utilities, the average cost of living in Chennai for a family is around ₹35,000 to ₹60,000. Again, this will depend on you and your family’s style of living.

FAQs

1. Is Chennai expensive?

   Compared to the big metro cities in India, Chennai is one of the most affordable cities. But this entirely depends on various factors like whether you are a bachelor, a couple, or a family and your lifestyle and spending habits.

2. How much salary is sufficient to live comfortably in Chennai?

   The cost of living anywhere in the country depends on your personal spending habits, the location you choose, whether you are single or with a family, and several other factors. But ideally, anyone earning between ₹30,000 to ₹50,000 can live a comfortable life in this city (depending majorly on their lifestyle).

3. What is the cost of living in Chennai vs Bangalore?

   Compared to all of the cost-of-living factors, like accommodation, utilities, groceries, food, entertainment, Bangalore is more expensive than Chennai.

4. What is the cost of living in Pune compared to Chennai?

   The cost of living in Pune, when compared to Chennai, is slightly higher, approximately 11%.

5. What financing options are available to people in Chennai to maintain their standard of living?

   To make a sustainable lifestyle in Chennai, you can choose financing options such as personal loans, credit cards, or online loans. Personal loans are unsecured loaning options and can be used for expenses such as rent, transportation, or utilities. Another financing option is a credit card. You can use this credit product for short-term expenses like shopping, but beware, these come with higher interest rates. Lastly, online loans are also a great option, as the entire loan process is done online. But even this option comes with a higher interest rate than traditional loans.

   Make sure you research all the financing options and compare them to understand which one suits your needs the best.