Cost of living comparison: Mumbai vs NYC

Yo! Comaprison between Mumbai and Manhattan seems to be on a loose base. Since, you are comparing Midtown (includes 5th Ave, Park Ave with zip 10021), it should be compared to Malabar Hills/Cuffe Parade Area...and you bet!!!! the whole scenario will change....Dude, Mumbai is aggravating in expenses and with this increase in inflation we might be much closer to the Gotham city...

Thanks so much for putting this together--but the NYC numbers are a bit off. I live in Midtown/Columbus Circle and pay $3200 for a one-bedroom apartment, and this is after the economy has softened. I think a bunch of the other costs are a bit on the lower side, too. So, if your point is that living in Mumbai is cheaper, I hope this helps your case.

Hi Amit,
I am an Indian, married to an American. I've lived in US for more than 10 years. We are planning to live in Mumbai. I am curious if the apartments in Andheri are suitable and comfortable for Americans to live in. Do you have any information if one wants to buy a house / apartment?

Hi CJ,
It really depends on your tastes. On average I'd say the quality of construction and amenities are lower then you would find in parts of the US, though you can certainly find nice places. Generally the "expats" live in Bandra, Powaii or South Mumbai. I think your decision should be based on proximity to work as these places are all really far apart.
Cheers,
ak

Hi Amit,
Do you know how much is rent for apartments in Bandra, Powai, or South Mumbai, comparable to what you have in Andheri. If you have any link to site for rental or home sale site in these area, that will be greatly helpful.

dude...1st of all it is possible to make that kind of money is usa....if u make 5000 USD in nyc...u wont be able to make dat kind of momey in india...and us is not dat expensive...i have been 2 nyc...it should not be more than 3000 USD for a lavish lifestyle

hey im not suggesting you do each of these things, for instance i dont take a $600 vacation each month. this was a rough guideline, please take it with a grain of salt. also it would be very difficult to live in manhattan on $36k (after taxes) a year.

4971 USD/ month. Dude, are you concluding that around 5k is what an average lifestyle (only expenses) would cost you in NYC? that is completely overblown!

I'm not saying this is an average lifestyle, I wouldn't take a $600 vacation once a month. If you take that out and split the 3k 2 bedroom apartment, you are down to $2900. For me and my friends that's a realistic monthly spend. If you could be more specific on where you disagree, please let me know.

Great comparison.

Hi Amit

Nice comparision. What would have been good if you could have also mentioned how much would someone be saving, coz after all an Indian success is measured by their Bank Balance :)
For an normal (read: Single) Indian INR 90,000 worth of expense is on a higher side. Anyways I wont argue much, since that again is relative.
Anyways if you wish to enjoy good Mumbai food, then visit my blog http://allaboutmumbaifood.blogspot.com

Regards
Vishy

Dude, you have a cook?

Fuck Brooklyn. I'm moving to Mumbai.

@Final_Transit, Yeah PPP brings down things quite a bit. Did a back of the envelope re-calculation here : http://blog.enygmatic.com/?p=359
As far as 'decent restaurant' goes, I'd agree with Amit's assessment of Rs.200 on an average...though like you said its relative, depends a lot on what you eat and what sort of cuisine suits you.

Hi Amit!
Having lived in both cities I find some numbers compared from a different basis although I understand your perspective. For example, a meal at $12 in NYC is pretty normal for lunch (with tipping reaching 20% these days....pfffft..). However, an equivalent 'decent restaurant' in Mumbai - in my opinion - would be be a Rs 80 ish lunch. At Rs. 200 thats among the nice places. I know its relative, but if one considers the percentage of New Yorkers having a $12 lunch, for Mumbaikars it would be Rs 50 or so!
I think this complexity arises due to the exchange rate used. If one uses PPP basis, things might compare better. But the list is quite useful for sure! Thanks. :)
Priyank

@seabass thanks buddy, fixed (not fast internet connections, but the does not compute)

Nice Info ;)

The Internet connection cost isn't an apples-to-apples comparison. To get the same speed as a $60 connection in EU/US you'd have to pay 20-100x more in India.

Rakesh was referring to the calculation, not arguing over the costs.
600/12 and 600/20
Does not compute ;)

@guarav - yeah this isn't an exact science, thanks for pointing out the error, fixed
@aniruddha - i went to the new hospital in four bungalows kokilaben ambani and thats what it cost (ill leave out the gory details), im sure it differs though in other places and depending on ailment...
@rakesh - i've actually found the price differed I compared the price in InOrbit vs. macys in NYC, though again I'm sure you can find it cheaper, these are broad strokes...

Though INR prices for Levis t-shirts are the same in India and the US, USD prices are almost double in NYC. Something wrong in the excel sheet equation?

A visit to a specialist would certainly cost more. But then, that again would depend on the ailment you visit him for.

"Dinner + few drinks in Top restaurants (5-stars) 2000/40 per person 50000/100 per person"

on an average dinner + drinks, for me comes out to be 3000 bucks... But then i think that varies person to person.

Also 50000/100 per person, seems to be a typo 50,000 INR != 100 USD ;)