🇮🇳 India · A realistic 2026 budget for newcomers — rent, food, transport, and what a month actually costs.
Wondering how far your salary goes in Ahmedabad? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.
What things cost
One-bed flat, western city (Satellite, Bodakdev, Vastrapur)INR 15,000–30,000 / month
One-bed flat, eastern city or ChandkhedaINR 8,000–15,000 / month
Gujarati thali, unlimited, at a good local placeINR 200–400
Groceries, one personINR 6,000–10,000 / month
Domestic help, part-timeINR 2,500–6,000 / month — an ordinary middle-class arrangement here
Good to know
Population
≈8.5 million across the metropolitan area, India's fifth-largest city
Languages
Gujarati is the state language; Hindi is universally understood and English works in professional settings
Currency
Indian rupee (INR)
Time zone
IST (GMT+5:30) — one time zone for the whole country, no daylight saving
Power plug
Types C, D and M, 230 V / 50 Hz
Climate
Hot semi-arid — 45°C is normal in May, a short heavy monsoon in July and August, and an excellent December to February
Alcohol
Prohibited. Foreign nationals and non-residents of Gujarat may apply for a permit; there are no ordinary bars or liquor shops
Heritage status
India's first UNESCO World Heritage City, inscribed in 2017 for the walled city and its pols
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.
A note on budgeting
Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Ahmedabad checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.
Plan your move to Ahmedabad
A free, AI-personalized plan — the language, culture, and setup steps timed to your move date.