Cost of living in Pune

As Pune's economy continues to grow, largely thanks to its healthy IT and manufacturing sectors, the cost of living in the city also rises.

On a global scale, compared with other expat destinations, life in Pune is affordable, as indicated by its ranking of 201st out of 227 cities across the globe assessed for Mercer's Cost of Living Survey for 2022.

In the context of India, Pune is fairly pricey, although it remains significantly cheaper than the megacities of Mumbai (127th), New Delhi (155th), Chennai (177th) and Bengaluru (178th). Meanwhile, Hyderabad (192nd) and Kolkata (203rd) have a similar cost of living to Pune.

Cost of accommodation in Pune

Most expats spend the largest proportion of their salary on accommodation, usually about a third. Several factors will determine how much a person pays in rent, such as the type of accommodation as well as its size and location.

Prices can vary widely in different areas. City-centre properties are more expensive than suburban homes, but the latter will have more space to offer compared to the sometimes-cramped apartments in the city centre.

Cost of food and groceries in Pune

Pune offers a wide variety of choices when it comes to grocery shopping and eating out, ranging from budget to high-end options. Buying local, in-season produce will always be cheaper than buying imported or out-of-season items. Similarly, local restaurants generally cost less than restaurants offering non-Indian fare.

Cost of transport in Pune

Most expats drive in Pune, whether by car or scooter, as public transport here leaves much to be desired. Rental cars can be arranged at a fairly good price, or newcomers might look to purchase from fellow expats leaving the city. Those who don't want to brave the traffic themselves can hire a driver, a perk that companies sometime offer to high-level executives moving to the city for work. Taxis are another option, though this can become expensive over time.

Cost of education in Pune

Most expats relocating to Pune with children will opt to send them either to an international school in the city or a boarding school back home. Both of these are expensive options that come with high tuition fees, not to mention extra costs such as textbooks, uniforms, school lunches and bus fare.

One alternative that parents might consider is homeschooling, which is much cheaper. While there aren't government regulations supporting homeschooling in India, authorities won't interfere as long as a child is receiving some form of education.