Tiruvannamalai, a town in the southern part of India, is known for its rich cultural heritage and spiritual significance. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for both residents and potential newcomers.

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of various expenses, including dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities, to help you plan your budget effectively.

Cost of Living Summary

Dining and Restaurants

  • Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost $1.78 on average, with a range between $0.95 and $3.55.
  • Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around $11.84, with prices ranging from $5.92 to $23.67.
  • Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages $4.5, with a range between $3.55 and $5.92.
  • Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from $1.18 to $2.96, imported beer $2.96 to $5.92, cappuccino $0.59 to $3.55, and Coke/Pepsi $0.3 to $0.59.

Grocery Prices

  • Milk - Milk is priced between $0.47 and $0.89 per liter, averaging $0.63.
  • Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between $0.36 and $0.89, with an average price of $0.53.
  • Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from $0.71 to $1.14, averaging $0.92.
  • Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost $0.95 to $3.55 per kg, while oranges range from $0.59 to $2.96 per kg.
  • Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between $0.36 and $0.71 per kg, and lettuce costs $0.24 to $1.18 per head.

Transportation

  • Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between $1.18 and $1.3 per liter.
  • Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at $0.89, with a cost of $0.21 to $0.59 per km and $0.59 to $2.37 per hour of waiting.

Housing Costs

  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $142.03.
  • 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $106.52.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $213.04.
  • 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent averages $118.36.

Utilities

  • Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between $24.37 and $98.24, averaging $41.56.
  • Internet - Internet services range from $5.92 to $14.2, with an average cost of $9.78.

Cost of Living Rankings

The cost of living indices for India are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in India, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.

Highest to LowestUpdated: Dec, 2024
Full Cost of Living Rankings

Cost of Living Data

The following pricing data has been gathered from 4 user contributions, as of the most recent update in November, 2024.
Restaurants
Avg / Range
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
$1.78
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course
$11.84
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)
$4.50
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.01
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.14
Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.44
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.20
Cappuccino (regular)
$1.92
Markets
Avg / Range
Milk (regular), (1 liter)
$0.63
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)
$0.53
Eggs (regular) (12)
$0.92
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.49
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.35
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
$7.99
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.87
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.38
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
$4.14
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.52
Apples (1kg)
$2.73
Oranges (1kg)
$1.38
Potato (1kg)
$0.52
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.59
Rice (white), (1kg)
$0.78
Tomato (1kg)
$0.56
Banana (1kg)
$0.86
Onion (1kg)
$0.53
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
$6.31
Transportation
Avg / Range
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.21
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
$16,570.11
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.18
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
$0.30
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.18
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
$25,027.76
Rent Per Month
Avg / Range
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre
$142.03
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre
$106.52
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre
$213.04
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre
$118.36
Utilities (Monthly)
Avg / Range
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
$41.56
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
$9.78
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data
$4.31
Sports And Leisure
Avg / Range
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
$2.96
Clothing And Shoes
Avg / Range
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$25.05
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...)
$23.94
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range)
$47.67
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes
$34.96
Salaries And Financing
Avg / Range
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate
9.29%
Childcare
Avg / Range
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
$84.29
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
$1,499.95
Tiruvannamalai Cost of Living

"Key Takeaways"

Tiruvannamalai offers a relatively low cost of living compared to many urban areas, making it an attractive option for those seeking affordability.

Dining out is particularly inexpensive, with meals at casual restaurants costing less than $2 on average.

Housing is affordable, with rental prices significantly lower than in major cities, especially for those willing to live outside the city centre.

Transportation costs are modest, with affordable taxi fares and gasoline prices.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Tiruvannamalai presents a cost-effective living environment, especially for those looking to balance affordability with cultural richness.

The town's low housing and dining costs make it an appealing choice for both locals and expatriates. However, potential residents should consider the availability of amenities and lifestyle preferences when planning a move.