Cost of living in Pune

Most expats find the cost of living in Pune low by global standards, and those on a Western salary can live comfortably here. The city is pricier than it was a decade ago because IT and automotive firms have expanded rapidly and hired large numbers of well-paid staff.

Local produce, street food, public transport, and domestic help are all cheap, and plenty of expat households employ a cook or a cleaner. The big expenses are international school fees, imported groceries, spirits, and an apartment in one of Pune’s upmarket neighbourhoods.

Mumbai is India’s most expensive city by a wide margin, and Delhi isn’t far behind. Pune is much more affordable than either, and expats’ living costs here are similar to those in Hyderabad and Kolkata. Smaller cities such as Indore and Nagpur are cheaper still.

Cost of accommodation in Pune

You’re likely to spend more on rent than on anything else, and the cost of accommodation in Pune is highest in the neighbourhoods that expats favour. Koregaon Park and Kalyani Nagar are among the priciest areas, and Baner and Aundh are only slightly cheaper.

Apartments in these sought-after areas are sometimes cramped for the price. Expats who live further out in suburbs such as Wakad, Wagholi, Hadapsar, and Undri usually pay less for far more space. Many of these homes are in gated complexes, which locals call housing societies, and the larger societies have a pool, a gym, a clubhouse, and round-the-clock security.

Renting comes with steep upfront costs. Landlords will usually ask for a security deposit worth a few months’ rent, and brokers typically charge a month’s rent as their fee. Tenants often will have to pay the society’s monthly maintenance charge too, so ask about this before you sign.

Renting Expat Accommodation in Pune
Best and Worst Areas and Suburbs in Pune

Cost of transport in Pune

Expats in Pune mostly travel by road, and the cost of transport in Pune is low by Western standards. Scooters are the quickest way through the traffic for anyone brave enough to ride one, but most newcomers stick to cars.

Uber and Ola are the go-to apps for both cars and auto rickshaws, and fares are cheap compared with taxis back home. Drivers who accept app bookings sometimes insist on the meter fare instead, so make sure to agree on the price before you set off.

Plenty of expats would rather not tackle Pune’s traffic themselves, so they hire a full-time driver. Some companies include a driver in relocation packages for senior executives, and families with long school runs often find a car and driver a better value than daily app rides. If you’re in the market for a car, ask whether any expats on their way out of Pune want to sell theirs. These cars have usually been well maintained and regularly serviced.

Public transport is the cheapest way to get around. Commuters can take the metro from Pimpri-Chinchwad to Swargate on the Purple Line or from Vanaz to Ramwadi on the Aqua Line. Transport authorities are expanding the network, and a long-awaited line between Shivajinagar and the Hinjewadi IT park is the most useful addition for office workers. PMPML runs city buses across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, although they’re often packed at rush hour. Many IT employers also run shuttle buses or cabs to their campuses, so staff may spend next to nothing on their daily commute.

Getting Around in Pune

Cost of groceries in Pune

Expats who shop like locals can keep the cost of groceries in Pune low, and prices are generally below those in Mumbai. Fresh fruit and vegetables from neighbourhood vendors and markets such as Mahatma Phule Mandai are cheap, especially when they’re in season.

Budget supermarket chains like DMart have a wider range than local vendors, and their prices are quite low. Imported cheese, cured meats, olive oil, and breakfast cereals are far pricier, and expats who want them usually shop at upmarket stores.

Cost of entertainment and eating out in Pune

You can eat out often without much guilt, since the cost of entertainment and eating out in Pune is low even by Indian standards. Street food is the cheapest option, and vendors who sell vada pav and the city’s spicy misal pav are everywhere.

Mid-range restaurants that serve Indian and international dishes are plentiful and reasonably priced, and Koregaon Park and Baner are good places to start. Fine dining at the city’s five-star hotels is much pricier, although it’s still cheaper than in London or New York. Cinema tickets are a fraction of UK or US prices, and Hollywood releases are on at the big multiplexes alongside the latest Bollywood films.

Alcohol is the main exception to Pune’s low prices. The Maharashtra government sharply raised excise duty on spirits in 2025, and imported brands were already expensive. Beer and Indian wines from the Nashik region are much kinder on the wallet because the state left both out of that hike.

Lifestyle in Pune

Cost of education in Pune

Most expat families send their children to an international school, so the cost of education in Pune is one of the biggest items in their budget. Tuition fees at schools that teach the International Baccalaureate (IB) or Cambridge curricula are high, and parents pay extra for textbooks, uniforms, school lunches, and school bus transportation. Some schools also set a separate, higher fee scale for foreign nationals, so check which rates apply to your family.

Teaching standards and facilities at the top international schools are often exceptional, and many expat parents feel they’re worth the price. Mercedes-Benz International School in Hinjewadi and Indus International School on Mulshi Road are two of the best-known schools, and both are on the city’s western outskirts. Families often choose a home nearby to keep the school run short.

Private schools that follow the Indian CBSE or ICSE curriculum are much cheaper, and most of them teach in English. Expat children can also attend Pune’s public schools, which are free or nearly free. Most municipal schools teach in Marathi, though, and standards are often below what foreign parents expect.

Homeschooling is another low-cost route. India has no specific homeschooling law, and the central government has said it isn’t illegal. Families who want a recognised secondary qualification usually enrol their children with the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) or enter them for Cambridge exams as private candidates.

Education and Schools in Pune

Cost of healthcare in Pune

Expats almost always choose private hospitals, and the cost of healthcare in Pune is modest compared with private care in the UK or the US. Ruby Hall Clinic and Jehangir Hospital are two of the best known, and both have modern facilities and English-speaking doctors. Dental treatment is also far cheaper than in most Western countries.

You should have health insurance through your employer or a private policy, and most insurers cover doctor’s appointments, prescriptions, emergency treatment, and hospital stays. Many insurers also have cashless arrangements with Pune’s major private hospitals, so the hospital bills the insurer directly. Patients without cashless cover usually pay a deposit on admission and claim the money back later.

Treatment at public hospitals such as Sassoon General Hospital is free or cheap, but wards are often crowded and short of staff.

Healthcare and Health Insurance in India

Cost of living in Pune chart

Prices are listed in Indian rupees (INR) and may vary depending on the product and service provider. The list below shows average prices for Pune in October 2026.