Deutsche Bank Report: Delhi is one of the cheapest cities in the world for real estate and salaries

Affordability of Services and Internet

The report also found that Delhi offers the most budget-friendly broadband internet in the world: a monthly connection costs $7.3 (approximately 703 rupees), which is the lowest price among a sample of 69 cities.

Cost of Living Comparison

In the Deutsche Bank study titled 'Mapping the World's Prices 2026,' which compares cities based on parameters such as prices, wages, and quality of life, it was noted that a 'cheap date' in Delhi costs $103 (about 9,920 rupees). This is significantly lower than $475 (about 45,750 rupees) in Geneva, which ranks first in expense in the index.

The 'cheap date' index accounts for expenses on a bottle of wine, a pair of jeans, a dress, two coffees, a dinner for two, two cinema tickets, two transit tickets, and a 5 km taxi ride.

Real Estate and Salaries

According to the report, property rates in the city center remain low compared to international markets, averaging $2,465 per square meter (about 237,000 rupees), placing Delhi at 65th place in the global ranking. Compared to other major cities, it is noted that property prices in Delhi have decreased by 9.8 percent in dollar terms over the last decade but recovered by 15.7 percent since 2019.

In the 2026 ranking, Delhi ranked 66th out of 69 cities, with a net monthly income of $538 (about 51,800 rupees), equivalent to 10 percent of the level in New York. Historical data shows that the monthly salary in Delhi was $633 in 2012, $653 in 2016, $556 in 2019, $607 in 2025, and $538 in 2026. In contrast, Zurich topped the salary rankings with a net monthly pay of $8,363 (about 805,200 rupees).

Income and Expense Dynamics

The report indicates that salaries in Delhi have dropped by 17.7 percent in dollar terms over the past decade and by 3.3 percent since 2019. It was also observed that some daily expenses in the city have sharply decreased in dollar terms over the last decade: the cost of a gym membership decreased by 38.3 percent, a pair of jeans by 36.9 percent, and a summer dress in a chain store by 26.5 percent.

For coffee lovers, Delhi remains one of the cheapest tracked cities, where a regular cappuccino costs $2.40 (about 231 rupees), placing it among the ten cheapest cities in the index. Rent for a three-bedroom apartment in the city center is about $685 (about 65,970 rupees) per month.

Other Indices and Prices

Delhi ranked 52nd out of 69 cities in the 'Oasis' index, named after the famous British rock band, which measures the cost of five beers and two packs of cigarettes. The cost of this index in the capital was $18.8 (about 1,800 rupees), which is approximately 35 percent cheaper than in New York. Delhi's position in the 'Oasis' index improved by seven places compared to 2025 but worsened by one place compared to 2016. The index cost increased by 36 percent in dollar terms over the last decade and by 13.1 percent since 2019.

Furthermore, gasoline prices in Delhi are almost comparable to those in New York in dollar terms, at $1.05 per liter versus $1.08 in New York. The report also highlighted that the city has some of the lowest global prices for basic utilities, mid-range restaurant food, and consumer clothing, such as branded jeans.