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10 Best Places to Live in Chennai: Budget-Friendly Neighborhoods to Buy or Rent a Home in 2025
Published : May 30, 2025, 4:33 PM
Updated : June 5, 2025, 11:53 AM
Author :
Ananth
Table of Contents
Chennai overall is a great city to live in, and the cost of living here is comparatively low, especially when compared with Bangalore and Mumbai. The city blends heritage and contemporary social infrastructure seamlessly. Being a hub for the IT industry, automotive sector, and healthcare, the city houses people from all over the country. The best part is that the city has several great neighbourhoods that cater to all the requirements of the residents. Some are popular for being posh and green, some for wide roads and connectivity, and some for providing a peaceful and residential vibe. This blog will help you know about the top 10 best places to live in Chennai.
List of 10 Best Places to Live in Chennai - A Quick Info
Due to the immigration of people from other states, Chennai has developed itself at a good pace, and so has its social infrastructure. Residential properties have also increased in good numbers, and here is the list of areas where you will find the best housing options.
| Area Name | Why it's Good | Average Monthly Rent |
| Adyar | A peaceful locality with ample trees and good connectivity with the rest of the city | ₹16,900 - ₹2.5 lakh |
| Besant Nagar | A vibrant beachside locality with cafes and parks | ₹20,000 - ₹2.8 lakh |
| Anna Nagar | Planned area with wide roads and several types of housing options | ₹5,000 - ₹2.5 lakh |
| Nungambakkam | A great locality with schools, hospitals, restaurants and cultural centres | ₹18,000 - ₹5.5 lakh |
| Alwarpet | One of the posh areas in Chennai, known for its calm environment and luxury properties. | ₹35,000 - ₹3.5 lakh |
| Velachery | Popular area among working professionals with malls, metros, and good amenities | ₹7,500 - ₹60,000 |
| Sholinganallur | A famous IT corridor with modern housing, close to tech parks and coastal roadways. | ₹8,000 - ₹95,000 |
| T. Nagar | A well-connected area popular for shopping and urban convenience | ₹6,000 - ₹2.5 Lakh |
| ECR (East Coast Road) | Famous area along the scenic coastal stretch, great for villas, sea views, and a resort-like lifestyle. | ₹9,000 - ₹2 lakh |
| Porur | An affordable and developing locality with good roads and growing infrastructure | ₹3,500 - ₹27,000 |
10 Best Localities to Live in Chennai in 2025
Chennai has witnessed rapid infrastructural development to meet the residential demands, and for this, several localities have developed themselves to suit the different needs. Among them, Chennai's best residential areas are as follows:
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1. Adyar, Chennai
Adyar is one of the best places to live in Chennai. The area is known for its greenery, peaceful atmosphere, and proximity to the beach. The area houses several hospitals, malls, eateries, etc., making life easy for the residents here.
Key Details of Adyar
- Connectivity:
- Teynampet Metro Station, 6 km
- Adyar Depot, 280 m
- Amenities:
- Hotels: Annsun Boutique Hotel, Esthell Hotel
- Cafes: Fika, Tealogy Cafe Chennai 11
- Schools: Bharath Senior Secondary School, AM School
- Hospitals: PM Hospital Adyar, Sri Padmapriya Hospital
- Famous Places to Visit: Guindy National Park, Chennai Snake Park Trust
- Average Property Rates (sq ft): ₹18,000
- Average rents: ₹16,900 to ₹2.5 Lakhs
- Future Development Projects: Pushkar Temple Tree, Aindro Coralbay, Bhaggyam Cricket Villa
- Advantages:
- Serene environment
- Availability of residential and commercial properties
- Disadvantages:
- Scarcity of parking spaces
- High property rate
2. Besant Nagar, Chennai
Besant Nagar is a vibrant locality along the coastal region of Chennai. The locality is popular for Elliot’s Beach, which offers soothing views and a serene atmosphere. The area houses cafes, eateries, and cultural spots drawing people of all ages and backgrounds.
Key Details of Besant Nagar
- Connectivity:
- Taramani Metro Station, 5.3 km
- Besant Nagar Bus Stop, 110 m
- Amenities:
- Malls: Phoenix Marketcity, Palladium
- Tech Parks: Millenia Business Park, Leela Information Technology Park
- Schools: Surana High Tech International School, Magic Minds
- Hospitals: Santosh Hospitals Pvt. Ltd, PM Hospital Adyar
- Famous Places to Visit: Broken Bridge, Shri Ashtalakshmi Temple
- Average Property Rates (sq ft): ₹15,800
- Average rents: ₹30,000 to ₹83,025
- Future Development Projects: Akshaya Mbessy 62, Rams Green Inns, Etica Thangam
- Advantages:
- Vibrant social life
- Scenic beach views
- Disadvantages:
- Traffic congestion
- High cost of living
3. Anna Nagar, Chennai
Anna Nagar is a well-planned and upscale locality in Chennai. It has broad roads, organised layouts and an ample number of green spaces to breathe in fresh air. These are the major reasons why this locality has become one of the most famous places to live in and houses several types of properties to suit buyers’ or tenants’ needs.
Key Details of Anna Nagar
- Connectivity:
- Thirumangalam Metro Station, 1.8 km
- Collector Nagar Bus Stop, 2.8 km
- Amenities:
- Restaurants: Glen's Bakehouse, 6th Avenue Resto Bar
- Schools: C.S.I Jessie Moses School, Cue Spin Music Production School
- Hospitals: Sri Devi Hospital, The Madras Medical Mission Hospital
- Famous Places to Visit: Government Museum Chennai, Victory War Memorial
- Average Property Rates (sq ft): ₹13,200
- Average rents: ₹5,300 to ₹1.9 Lakhs
- Future Development Projects: TVS Emerald Luxor, Firms Tranquil, Manghalam Srishti
- Advantages:
- Well-planned infrastructure
- High real estate value
- Disadvantages:
- Limited nightlife
- Parking issues
4. Nungambakkam, Chennai
Nungambakkam, Chennai, is popular for its cosmopolitan nature and upscale lifestyle. The area houses both commercial and residential properties, is well-connected with the rest of the city and has schools, colleges, hospitals, markets, everything within easy reach.
Key Details of Nungambakkam
- Connectivity:
- Nandanam Metro Station, 4 km
- M.M.D.A. Bus Stop, 5.4 km
- Amenities:
- Restaurants: Hungry Panda OMR, The Good Bowl
- Cafes: Brews & Beyond, Southwest Coffee Roasters
- Schools: Chennai Boys Higher Secondary School, Punitha Joseph High School
- Hospitals: Dr. Mehta's Hospitals, Amma Hospital
- Famous Places to Visit: Semmozhi Poonga, Perarignar Anna Museum
- Average Property Rates (sq ft): ₹20,550
- Average rents: ₹18,000 to ₹5.5 Lakhs
- Future Development Projects: Lancor Homeleigh, Reddy Vijay Enclave, TIL Park
- Advantages:
- Safe locality
- Ample dining areas
- Disadvantages:
- Noise pollution
- Limited green spaces
- Traffic congestion during peak hours
5. Alwarpet, Chennai
Alwarpet is a peaceful and residential locality of Chennai, popular for housing premium properties. The area is well-connected to Teynampet, Mylapore, and Nungambakkam, hence, connectivity plays a vital role in attracting buyers and investors here. It combines elegance and convenience and provides a strong community vibe.
Key Details of Alwarpet
- Connectivity:
- Nandanam Metro Station, 2.2 km
- Nandanam Military Quarters, 1.9 km
- Amenities:
- Hotels: Green Tree Hotel, New Woodlands Hotel
- Cafes: Kosmo Cafe, Chai Waale Alwarpet
- Schools: Time Kids School, Little Millennium Alwarpet
- Hospitals: Girishwari Hospitals, Be Well Hospitals
- Famous Places to Visit: Broken Bridge, Marina Beach
- Average Property Rates (sq ft): ₹22,200
- Average rents: ₹35,000 to ₹3.5 Lakhs
- Future Development Projects: KG Montage, Sreshta Sree Ganesh, Splendens Kamala
- Advantages:
- Low-density living
- Quiet atmosphere
- Disadvantages:
- High property price
- Old infrastructure
6. Velachery, Chennai
Velachery is a buzzing residential and commercial hub in South Chennai. The area is close to OMR and major IT Parks in Chennai. Over the years, the area has become a self-sufficient locality offering good infrastructure, entertainment, and real estate options.
Key Details of Velachery
- Connectivity:
- Guindy Metro Station, 5.3 km
- Velachery Checkpost Bus Stop, 2.7 km
- Amenities:
- Restaurants: Copper Kitchen, Zaika Uttar Da
- Cafes: Mr & Mrs Cafe, Crust & Co
- Schools: Alpha School, Motherland Play School
- Hospitals: Ark Hospital, Anitha Hospital
- Famous Places to Visit: Guindy National Park, Beautiful Beach
- Average Property Rates (sq ft): ₹8,800
- Average rents: ₹7,500 to ₹60,000
- Future Development Projects: Kochar Jewel, SN Shri Rohini, Akshaya Jayam
- Advantages:
- Metro and bus availability
- Wide range of eateries
- Disadvantages:
- Lack of green spaces
- Poorly maintained inner roads
7. Sholinganallur, Chennai
Sholinganallur is a rapidly growing IT and residential hub. It has become one of the good places to live in Chennai as it is favored by young professionals due to its proximity to major tech parks. The area is quite affordable and has been witnessing massive infrastructure growth.
Key Details of Sholinganallur
- Connectivity:
- Elcot Metro Station, 4.3 km
- Perumbakkam Bus Stop, 5.7 km
- Amenities:
- Restaurants: Mr. Bell Restaurant, Madras Machan's
- Cafes: Mulberry Cafe, Rotticious Cafe
- Schools: JS Global School, Babaji Vidhyashram
- Hospitals: Tulips Multispeciality Hospital, HCL Health Care
- Famous Places to Visit: VGP Universal Kingdom, Snow Kingdom
- Average Property Rates (sq ft): ₹7,200
- Average rents: ₹95,000
- Future Development Projects: Brigade Altius, Botanica, Nest Euphoria
- Advantages:
- Good roads
- Coastal access
- Investment potential
- Disadvantages:
- Water scarcity
- Inconsistent waste management
8. T. Nagar, Chennai
T. Nagar is the retail heart of Chennai. It is a bustling residential area known for its quiet streets with independent homes and apartments. The area is very vibrant and is close to various schools, parks, and hospitals.
Key Details of T. Nagar
- Connectivity:
- Ashok Nagar Metro Station
- Vadapalani Metro Station
- Amenities:
- Restaurants: Pasumpon Restaurant, Aruvi Veg Restaurant
- Cafes: DOU, Isai Cafe
- Schools: Elemenopy Preschool, Kenrich International School
- Hospitals: J. V. Hospitals, Agada Hospital
- Famous Places to Visit: Semmozhi Poonga, Government Museum Chennai
- Average Property Rates (sq ft): ₹18,500
- Average rents: ₹6,000 to ₹2.5 Lakh
- Future Development Projects: Lifestyle Podium, Maanvis The Pinnacle, Radiance Rajshri
- Advantages:
- A variety of housing options
- Good medical facilities
- High resale value
- Disadvantages:
- Noise pollution
- Lack of greenery
9. ECR (East Coast Road), Chennai
ECR is one of the best locations to live in Chennai because of its proximity to the coastline. This area is perfect for those who crave a resort-style living as it offers luxurious villas, beach houses, etc. The area is pretty popular among NRIs, artists, etc.
Key Details of ECR (East Coast Road)
- Connectivity:
- Egmore Nungambakkam Metro Station
- Kottivakkam Bus Stop, Kandanchavadi Bus Stop
- Amenities:
- Hotels: Ideal Beach Resort, Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa
- Restaurants: Bay Watch Cafe, Maverick Cafe
- Schools: Primrose Schools, St. Joseph Higher Secondary School
- Hospitals: Dr. Agarwal Eye Hospital, Sathyabama University Dental College
- Famous Places to Visit: Sree Ellammal Temple, Saipuram Saibaba Temple
- Average Property Rates (sq ft): ₹7,850
- Average Rents: ₹9,000 to ₹2 Lakh
- Future Development Projects: Myans Luxury Villas, Casagrand ECR14, NS Realty Sankarapuram
- Advantages:
- Scenic coastline
- Peaceful environment
- Clean air
- Disadvantages:
- Far from the city
- Flood risk
- Poor street lighting
10. Porur, Chennai
Porur is a well-established residential and commercial area in Chennai. The area is known for its blend of tradition and modernity. Over the years, it has grown quite rapidly due to the presence of the top MNC companies in Chennai.
Key Details of Porur
- Connectivity:
- Koyambedu Metro, 7.3 km
- Porur Bus Stop, 500 m
- Amenities:
- Restaurants: Copper Kitchen Porur, Arabian Shell
- Cafes: Taste and Enjoy Cafe, Coffee N Recharge
- Schools: Ayyappathangal Government Primary School, St. Paul's Matric Hr. Sec School
- Hospitals: ANN Hospital, Vignesh Hospital
- Famous Places to Visit: Marina Beach, Guindy National Park
- Average Property Rates (sq ft): ₹8,000
- Average Rents: ₹3,500 - ₹27,000
- Future Development Projects: Navins Hanging Gardens, LML League One, RLD Merlion Estate
- Advantages:
- Less Congested than Central Areas.
- A good number of eateries
- Good drainage system
- Disadvantages:
- Air and noise pollution
- Limited Entertainment Options
List of Best Places to Live in Chennai for Families
There are various places to live in Chennai, but not all of these areas are fit for living with a family. Here are some of the best places to live in Chennai for families.
| Locality | Key Highlight (For Families) | Average Rent (2/3 BHK) | Property Rate (sq. ft.) |
| Adyar | Green area with schools, hospitals, and markets within easy reach | ₹20,000 to ₹2.5 lakh | ₹18,000 |
| Alwarpet | Safe locality housing several cultural and educational institutions | ₹12,000 to ₹2 lakh | ₹22,200 |
| Velachery | Connectivity is good, and basic amenities like markets, hospitals, etc, are nearby | ₹12,500 to ₹1.9 lakh | ₹8,800 |
| Besant Nagar | Peaceful environment with scenic views | ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakh | ₹15,800 |
| Porur | Affordable properties are available, and the infrastructure is developing at a good pace | ₹12,500 to ₹48,000 | ₹8,000 |
List of Best Places to Live in Chennai for Working Professionals
Living close to your workplace not only saves time but also money as well. Some of the best localities to live in Chennai for working professionals are mentioned below.
| Locality | Key Highlight (For Working Professionals) | Average Rent (1/2 BHK) | Property Rate (sq. ft) |
| Sholinganallur | The area is close to IT parks on OMR, has ample housing options, and good road connectivity | ₹8,000 to ₹45,000 | ₹7,200 |
| Velachery | Great connectivity with the city and beyond via OMR | ₹12,500 to ₹35,000 | ₹8,800 |
| Adyar | Quiet and premium neighbourhood with affordable places to live in Chennai. | ₹20,000 to ₹60,000 | ₹15,800 |
| Guindy | Enjoys good metro and train access, hence commuting to any place is easy from here | ₹16,000 to ₹45,000 | ₹16,950 |
| Nungambakkam | Popular locality for housing coworking hubs, cafes, gyms and almost all necessary amenities | ₹15,000 to ₹55,000 | ₹20,550 |
List of Affordable Places to Live in Chennai
Though Chennai is an affordable city but living in certain parts can feel a little overwhelming. Here are a few of the cheap and best areas to live in Chennai.
| Locality | Key Highlight | Average Rent (1 RK/1 BHK) | Property Rate (sq. ft) |
| Madipakkam | Affordable area with metro and bus availability | ₹9000 | ₹6200 to ₹10000 |
| Ambattur | Property rates are low here, and the social infrastructure is good | ₹7,000 to ₹23,000 | ₹4,850 to ₹7,250 |
| Pallikaranai | Low property rates, schools, markets, and hospitals are near | ₹8,500 to ₹35,000 | ₹3,550 to ₹6,900 |
| Madhavaram | Good road network, and with metro expansion. | ₹6,000 to ₹10,000 | ₹7,350 |
| Kolathur | Family-friendly area enjoying quick access to Anna Nagar | ₹4,000 to ₹16,000 | ₹6,00 to ₹8,500 |
Upcoming Residential Hotspots in Chennai
Chennai is still developing, and the area has seen massive infrastructure growth, with new schools, hospitals, and gated communities. Here a some of the areas in Chennai that you must look out for.
| Locality | Key Highlight | Average Rent per Month | Property Rate (sq. ft) |
| Medavakkam | Infrastructural growth at a rapid pace and quick access to OMR and Velachery | ₹2,500 - ₹41,500 | ₹5,900 to ₹7,750 |
| Perumbakkam | The area is close to Sholinganallur and houses several gated communities | ₹6,720 to ₹31,750 | ₹4,700 to ₹6,500 |
| Pallavaram | Close to the city airport, good metro access, and well-connected via broad roads | ₹14,380 to 72,000 | ₹7,200 |
| Thalambur | Affordable gated communities and low property rates | ₹19,570 and ₹29,170 | ₹4,750 to ₹6,650 |
| Padur | Social infrastructure is good, and apartments are affordable here | ₹14,500 and ₹34,370 | ₹5,000 to ₹6,950 |
How to Choose the Best Locality to Live in Chennai?
Finding the best area in Chennai to live is important for a convenient and secure lifestyle. Chennai offers diverse localities so residents can choose among them based on their needs and budget without taking any stress. Here are some factors you must consider before choosing the best localities.
- Proximity to Workplace or School: Making sure that you live close to your workplace or your child's school is a must. Staying close to your office helps in saving a lot of time and helps you to be more productive.
- Connectivity: Ensure the locality is well-connected with the rest of the city through roads and other modes of transport. Check if the area has public transport such as metros, bus stops in its vicinity. This will not only save your time but also a lot of your money.
- Safety & Infrastructure: Live in a locality where streets are well-lit and have low crime rates. Your area must have all the basic civic amenities like proper water, electricity supply, well-planned waste management, drainage system, etc.
- Access to Amenities: Proximity to educational institutions, hospitals, banks, markets, etc, is again important. Go for localities that suit your lifestyle and allow you to enjoy amenities with easy reach. Porur and T. Nagar are some of the best localities in this aspect.
- Budget & Property Type: Reside in a locality that falls within your budget. For affordable housing options, consider settling in an area such as Medavakkam or Madipakkam.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Ans: Some of the best areas to live in Chennai are Adyar, Anna Nagar, Besant Nagar, and Velachery. They offer safe, affordable, and ample housing options to choose from and settle in.
Ans: Some of the safest areas in Chennai are Adyar, Mylapore, Velachery, Besant Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, Madipakkam, and Anna Nagar.
Ans: Velachery is considered a good place to live because the locality has good roads for commuting and provides quick access to the Guindy Metro Station. Residents can commute easily to and from here in a quick time at an affordable cost.
Ans: The richest area in Chennai is Boat Club Road. It is popular for housing premium and luxury apartments, and grand bungalows.
Ans: Some of the best places to live in Chennai are Adyar, Anna Nagar, Besant Nagar, East Coast Road (ECR), and Nungambakkam.
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