Mumbai consistently tops every cost-of-living index in India, and the number that actually matters isn't a generic city average it's what you specifically need based on where you live, whether you share accommodation, and what stage of your career you're at. A single person needs roughly Rs 35,000 to Rs 45,000 monthly for a comfortable basic lifestyle in a Mumbai suburb; that climbs past Rs 65,000 in prime areas like Bandra or Powai, and drops to Rs 25,000-30,000 for a budget-conscious shared setup. This guide breaks the real numbers down by category, using BedR's own verified listing data rather than generic averages.

A software engineer who relocated from Pune to Mumbai's Andheri East corridor in 2025 described the recalibration: "My offer letter had a bigger number than my Pune salary, and I genuinely thought I'd be saving more. Then rent alone ate what used to be my entire monthly budget back home. Nobody tells you the real number until you're already signing the lease."

Rent: The Single Biggest Line Item

Rent typically consumes 30 to 50 percent of take-home pay in Mumbai, more than any other expense category by a wide margin. A PG room runs Rs 9,000 for double-sharing in budget zones like Ghatkopar West to Rs 19,000 or more in Bandra East. A 1BHK flat ranges from Rs 18,000 in outer suburbs like Mira Road and Kalyan to Rs 60,000-plus in central Mumbai. Splitting a 2BHK with a flatmate brings per-person cost down meaningfully often Rs 14,000 to Rs 25,000 depending on locality, genuinely competitive with a managed PG while delivering more space.

Monthly Budget by Locality Type

Locality Tier	PG (Double-Sharing)	1BHK Flat	Example Areas
Budget/Outer Suburbs	Rs 9,000-13,000	Rs 12,000-18,000	Mira Road, Kalyan, Ghatkopar West
Mid-Range/IT Corridors	Rs 11,000-16,000	Rs 18,000-28,000	Andheri East, Santacruz East
Premium	Rs 13,000-19,000	Rs 30,000-60,000+	Bandra West, Powai

Source: BedR verified listing data, July 2026.

Food, Transport, and Utilities

Food typically runs Rs 4,000-6,000 monthly for someone cooking occasionally and eating out sometimes, higher if a PG includes meals in the rent (which most do). Local train and metro combined monthly passes run around Rs 450-600 for standard commuters; those relying heavily on autos or cabs for last-mile connectivity should budget an additional Rs 2,000-4,000. Utilities beyond what's bundled into PG or flat rent electricity specifically in flats typically add Rs 1,000-2,500 depending on AC usage.

Salary Benchmarks for a Comfortable Mumbai Life

A take-home salary of Rs 40,000-50,000 monthly supports a genuinely comfortable mid-range lifestyle in a Mumbai suburb. Prime areas like Powai or Andheri West require Rs 65,000 or more to maintain the same comfort level. Entry-level professionals and students sharing accommodation can manage on Rs 25,000-30,000, though this leaves minimal cushion for savings or unexpected expenses. For context, IT professionals working near Powai or Andheri East typically need Rs 18-20 LPA to sustain this comfortably, given how much of take-home pay goes toward rent specifically in these corridors.

Students vs Working Professionals: Different Budget Realities

A student on a family-supported budget or limited stipend typically targets the lower end of the PG range Rs 9,000-12,000 often with meals included, prioritizing proximity to college over lifestyle amenities. A working professional with a stable salary has more flexibility to weigh a flat or premium PG against commute time, and the shared-flat economics genuinely change at this income level, since splitting rent with one or two flatmates unlocks meaningfully more space per rupee than a solo PG room.

The First-Month Cash Reality

Beyond monthly rent, the first month requires a security deposit typically two to three months' rent under the Maharashtra Rent Control Act, 1999, which sets no statutory cap plus moving costs and a buffer before the first salary arrives. For a Rs 15,000 PG, budget Rs 30,000-45,000 in deposit alone. For a Rs 25,000 flat share, expect Rs 50,000-75,000. This upfront number surprises most first-time movers more than the monthly figure does.

How to Actually Reduce Mumbai's Cost of Living

Sharing a flat with a flatmate instead of renting solo is the single biggest lever see BedR's guide to finding a flatmate in India for the full process. Choosing a PG with meals included eliminates a genuinely significant recurring cost. And picking a locality one metro or train line away from the absolute prime zone Santacruz East instead of Bandra West, for instance routinely saves Rs 5,000-15,000 monthly for a comparable commute.

Conclusion

Mumbai's cost of living varies dramatically by locality, accommodation type, and whether you're sharing the "Mumbai is expensive" headline number obscures real, actionable choices that can shift your actual monthly spend by tens of thousands of rupees. Match your budget to a specific locality and format, not a citywide average.

Search Aadhaar-KYC-verified, no-broker PGs and flats across Mumbai at bedrindia.com.