Mumbai is India’s most expensive city for expats, closely followed by Delhi, Chennai: Mercer Report

India’s Financial Capital has maintained its reputation as the most expensive Indian city for expatriates to live in, according to a survey by HR Consultancy—Mercer. In this survey, Mumbai has surged by 11 positions since 2023, to reach the 136th spot globally -- making it among the most expensive cities for expatriates. Rahul Sharma, India Mobility Leader at Mercer, was noted saying that in the face of global economic challenges, India has remained largely resilient in the 2024 Cost of Living Survey.

This 2024 Cost of Living City Ranking by Mercer (Division of Marsh McLennan) assesses living expenses in 227 cities worldwide, and provides valuable insights to assist multinational employers in formulating compensation strategies for their global workforce.

Delhi has also entered the top 200, climbing to Rank 164. However, Chennai has slipped five spots to 189, and Bengaluru has dropped six spots to 195. Hyderabad's ranking remains stable at 202.

Meanwhile, Pune has seen a rise of eight places, now ranking 205, while Kolkata has also progressed, gaining four spots to secure the 207 position. Hong Kong maintains its position at the forefront of this year's ranking, with Singapore following closely behind. Zurich, Geneva, and Basel in Switzerland complete the top five cities noted for their high cost of living.