Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore) is one of those rare metropolitans in India blessed with everything from a pleasant climate, a forever scaling technology talent, a glorious history, to the creature comforts of the natural greenery, and a burgeoning shopping, dining, and drinking scene. If you are wondering about the life and cost of living in Bangalore, don’t worry, as the city has been recognized as the top performer in the ‘million+’ category of under ‘Ease of Living Index (EOLI) in 2021, as well as the 2020 Municipal Performance Index (MPI). This means as per the cost-of-living index, Bangalore has topped in performance across the areas of finance, services, technology, policy, and governance. Doesn’t matter if you are a student travelling for higher studies, a hardworking jobseeker, an IT savant, or a couple moving for a better life, you are sure to be rewarded with beautiful parks, quirky eateries. If you are wondering about how the living expenses in Bangalore fare, worry not. We are here to help with a comprehensive summary of the cost of living in Bangalore 2023!
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How is Life in Bangalore?
While life in Bangalore can be exciting with its vibrant culture, it can also be expensive. The cost of living in Bangalore, especially in terms of housing, has increased over the years. However, the city offers a good balance of quality of life and job opportunities, attracting people from different parts of the country.
To enjoy life in Bangalore without breaking the bank, one can explore affordable dining options, public transportation, and leisure activities.
Factors Affecting the Average Cost of Living in Bangalore
Owing to a growing service industry and an active real estate market, not only businesses including multinationals and start-ups are expanding at an alarming rate, the lifestyle choices for the average consumer are also abundant. The BBMP or Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (Greater Bangalore Municipal Corporation) has also provided the citizens with a range of affordable services including free water, a well-connected bus transportation system, stable electricity supply and more. Given Bangalore is the fifth city to serve as the host to a maximum number of Fortune companies after cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata etc., the average monthly expenses in Bangalore can also extend to the lifestyle of its poshest areas.
That said, If we were to include the primary considerations for bachelors, couples, and families, the monthly expenses in Bangalore on average should be close to the figures listed below.
| Description | Bachelors | Couples | Families |
| Rent | 7,000 – 13,000 | 15,000 – 25,000 | 15,000 – 30,000 |
| Groceries | 3,000 – 5,000 | 6,000 – 8,000 | 8,000 – 15,000 |
| Transport | 1,500 – 2,000 | 2,000 – 5,000 | 5,000 – 7,000 |
| Utilities | 1,200 – 2,500 | 2,000 – 3,000 | 2,000 – 3,000 |
| Entertainment | 5,000 – 7,000 | 6,000 – 9,000 | 6,000 – 10,000 |
| Schooling of kids | Nil | Nil | 3,000 – 12,000 |
Cost of Accommodation in Bangalore
The cost of living in Bangalore for a bachelor, for instance, is fairly affordable given the presence of several paying guests, hostels, and renting apartments around colleges and universities.
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Paying guests and hostels offer rent where the cost of electricity, water, wi-fi etc. is borne by the renters. The cost of living in Bangalore for a fresher, for instance, will be low, as they can choose to share an apartment where the cost of the shared amenities is divided among the residents. Affordable fast-food joints, military hotels, food trucks etc. also help lower the living cost in Bangalore for students. For young couples as well, the monthly cost of living in Bangalore is quite reasonable given the presence of residential areas to rent or own apartments around prime business hubs. While you can find several 2BHK, 3BHK, 4BHK, and even larger units including villas, smaller renting units are abundant including 1BHK and 1RK. You can arrive at the right decision depending on the proximity to your office or college, size of the property, distance from commercial establishments, amenities offered for the units by the builder/real-estate developers etc. For instance, locations near the centre of Bangalore city will cost in rent for a 2BHK apartment anywhere from INR 15,000 to 30,000 per month. The table below will help in understanding the costs for such apartments for an individual.
Average Electricity Bill in Bangalore
The average electricity bill in Bangalore for a household using around 100 to 120 units per month is around INR 600. However, the cost of electricity in Bangalore varies based on the number of units consumed.
The Karnataka electricity board charges a per-unit cost for domestic LT supply based on the number of units consumed. For example, for 0 to 50 units, the per-unit cost is INR 4.05, while for 51 to 100 units, the per-unit cost is INR 5.30. For 101 to 200 units, the per-unit cost is INR 6.85, and above 201 units, the per-unit cost is INR 7.7
Renting A House/ PG/ Apartment- Bangalore Cost of Living for Bachelors
| Size of house | Rent in INR |
| 1 BHK | 7,000 – 18,000 |
| 2 BHK | 16,000 – 35,000 |
| 3 BHK | 22,500 – 50,000 |
| Paying Guest | 6,000 – 16,000 |
Popular Affordable Places to Buy/Rent in Bangalore
| Location | Average Cost to Rent (INR) | Average Cost to Buy (INR Per Sq. Ft.) |
| Doddanekundi | ~12,000 | ~5,200 |
| Kuundalahalli | ~11,000 | ~8,000 |
| Banaswadi | ~10,000 | ~7,000 |
| Hennur | ~12,000 | ~5,000 |
| Nagwara | ~8,000 | ~4,500 |
| Yelahanka | ~11,000 | ~7,000 |
| Ejipura | ~10,000 | ~6,000 |
| Hebbal | ~8,000 | ~5,500 |
| R.T. Nagar | ~12,000 | ~8,500 |
| Tavarakere | ~9,000 | ~6,000 |
Popular Posh Places to Buy/Rent in Bangalore
| Location | Average Cost to Rent (INR) | Average Cost to Buy (INR Per sq. Ft.) |
| Indira Nagar | ~15,000 | ~10,000 |
| Marathahalli | ~14,000 | ~6,000 |
| Malleswaram | ~16,000 | ~11,000 |
| Hebbal | ~17,000 | ~5,000 |
| Jayanagar | ~16,000 | ~9,000 |
| Whitefield | ~17,000 | ~8,000 |
| HSR | ~13,000 | ~8,000 |
| Electronic City | ~16,000 | ~6,500 |
| Koramangala | ~14,000 | ~13,000 |
| Basavanagudi | ~13,000 | ~10,000 |
Apart from the regular paying guest and renting options, you can also opt for co-living accommodations. The cost of living in Bangalore for students is greatly lowered due to single, double, and triple sharing rooms available from anywhere between INR 6000 – 15,000, depending on the range of convenience and facilities you want to explore. The living expenses in Bangalore for students go down in many more ways than one, including food, maintenance, laundry, and housekeeping and security of the property.
Cost Of Transportation in Bangalore
You will find a wide range of transportation options in the city that helps bring down the living expenses in Bangalore for bachelors and reduce the cost of living in Bangalore for couples. BMTC buses and metro services for instance are well spread out throughout the city. While a typical bus ticket will cost anywhere from INR 15-50, you can also opt for a monthly pass from an economical INR 1,100 for normal buses, and INR 3000 for AC buses. If you choose the metro train, tickets will typically range anywhere from INR 10 to 60 per ride. Alternatively, tech-savvy citizens also prefer to opt for aggregation mobile apps such as Ola, Uber etc. for cabs and carpooling within and outside the city or Rapido, Bounce etc. for scooters within the city. So many options leave a lot of flexibility in bringing down the cost of living in Bangalore for a bachelor.
Monthly Bus Pass Price in Bangalore
Based on the provided web search results, the monthly bus pass price in Bangalore depends on various factors like the type of pass, the distance of travel, and whether the pass is for AC or non-AC buses.
The prices for BMTC (Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation) monthly bus passes range from around Rs. 830 to Rs. 3150 depending on the type of pass and distance travelled.
Similarly, KSRTC (Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation) also issues monthly passes at concessional rates for regular passengers such as employees, students, and traders, and the prices may vary depending on the distance and type of pass. KSRTC monthly passes are issued at all bus stations and are valid for travel along with an identity card issued by KSRTC
Cost of Food and Groceries in Bangalore
Given the existence of the local dairy industry and agricultural produce being locally sourced, the cost of groceries is quite affordable. From the local roadside vendor, Kirana store, to the frequent supermarket, malls and even online options including BigBasket, Amazon, Swiggy, Dunzo etc. the cost of living in Bangalore for a family comes down drastically, ranging anywhere from INR 5,000 – 8,000 for two people. For bachelors who aren’t able to cook and do not prefer the cooked meals in paying guests, however, the minimum cost of living in Bangalore may go a bit up, given that a two-person fare in a medium-priced restaurant cost anywhere between INR 200 – 1,500. The more happening areas where micro-breweries, leisure areas, and higher-priced boutique or chain eateries are present, the cost may go up from INR 1,000 – 3,000.
Cost of Utilities in Bangalore
In Bangalore, the household incurs the cost of using utilities, including water, electricity, and garbage disposal. On average, the cost of living in Bangalore for a single person is low due to fewer utilities consumed and fewer home appliances that need power. In a single bedroom house on rent, for instance, a bachelor may end up paying somewhere around INR 200 – 300 on water, INR 500 on the garbage disposal, and INR 1,000 – 2000 on electricity (~INR 4.10 per unit). Internet, cellular recharge, and wi-fi services may cost anywhere from INR 500 – 1,500 per month, depending on you being a working professional. The cost of living in Bangalore for a couple may be a bit on the higher side depending on them having kids, or elderly in the family, requiring higher consumption of utilities.
Bangalore Expenses Per Month
Based on the above calculations and results, we can conclude that
- Cost of living in Bangalore for single person: ₹30,000 approximately
- Living cost in Bangalore for couple: ₹40,000
- Cost of living in Bangalore for a family of 3: ₹50,000
- Cost of living in Bangalore for family of 4: ₹70,000
Approximate Figures. The actual number may vary depending on the current rates.
Per Capita Income of Bangalore
According to recent data from the Economic Survey of Karnataka 2021-22, Bengaluru Urban has the highest per capita income (PCI) in Karnataka, which is more than five times that of Kalaburagi.
The per capita income of the Bengaluru region was approximately 230 thousand Indian rupees during the financial year 2019, whereas the estimated Metro GDP (PPP) Per Capita of the city is around US$25,461 (equivalent to around 19 lakh Indian rupees) as of 2014, making it the fourth most productive metro area of India.
An Inexpensive Yet Lavish Utopia: Namma Ooru Bengaluru
Whether you know Bangalore as the ‘IT City’, the ‘City of Gardens’ or the ‘City of Lakes’, people of all ages are bound to find it welcoming. If you would like to know more about the cost of living in Bangalore, maybe some further reading into the most trending localities to invest in Bangalore 2021 may help. If you are curious about the premium areas, you can also check out the list of top posh areas in Bangalore here. For everything else real estate, from buying, renting to managing your property, be sure to check out the top starred professionals at NoBroker.
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FAQ’s
Q1. How is the climate at Bengaluru?
Ans. Bangalore or Bengaluru, experiences pleasant summers and temperate to mild winters. While the winter temperatures on average do not drop below 60 °F (16 °C), summer temperatures tend to be somewhere around 90s F (about 34 °C).
Q2. What is the average cost of living in Bangalore for a bachelor?
Ans. While the rent of a typical 1-BHK apartment ranges between INR 7,000 to 13,000, including groceries, transportation, utilities, and entertainment, the living cost in Bangalore for a bachelor will be around INR 19,000 to 27,000.
Q3. Which are the affordable places to live in for a bachelor?
Ans. You will find several paying guests, co-living, and renting options in and around prime education and business areas that can bring down the cost of living in Bangalore for a single person. These include Doddanekundi, Kuundalahalli, Banaswadi, Hennur, Nagwara, Yelahanka, Ejipura, Hebbal, R.T. Nagar, Tavarakere, etc.
Q4. Which are the luxury residential areas in Bangalore for couples and families?
Ans. There are several premium residential locations around prime business hot spots, shopping destinations, and entertainment hubs including Indira Nagar, Marathahalli, Malleswaram, Hebbal, Jayanagar, Whitefield, HSR, Electronic City, Koramangala, Basavanagudi, etc.
Q5. Is Bangalore a good start-up destination?
Ans. Bengaluru is recognized as the start-up capital of India, as it is the epicentre of several top unicorns from India. So, if you are looking to begin a start-up or join one, Bangalore is a great choice.
