Chennai ranks 3rd of 10 priced cities in India on cost — $267 a month in essentials, 8% above Kochi, the cheapest. The average net salary of $762 covers that 2.9×. 97 men per 100 women aged 20–39, measured at district level. PM2.5 averages 19.9 µg/m³ a year, 4× the WHO guideline of 5. Jan averages 26°C, May 31°C.
Monthly cost breakdown
Rent outside centre plus utilities, groceries, dining and local transport make up the essentials figure. Not a full lifestyle budget.
| Item | Monthly USD |
|---|---|
| Rent, 1-bed outside centre | $109 |
| Rent, 1-bed city centre | $181 |
| Groceries | $51 |
| Dining out | $50 |
| Utilities | $47 |
| Local transport | $10 |
| Essentials / mo | $267 |
| Avg net salary | $762 |
| Rent, 3-bed outside centre | $293 |
| Rent, 3-bed city centre | $492 |
Single person, USD. Data updated July 29, 2026.
Everyday prices
What single items cost in Chennai, in USD. The monthly figures above are built from these.
Eating out
| Item | USD |
|---|---|
| Meal, inexpensive restaurant | $2.09 |
| Meal for 2, mid-range, three courses | $12.54 |
| McMeal at McDonald's | $4.18 |
| Cappuccino, regular | $1.67 |
| Domestic beer, 0.5 L draught | $1.57 |
| Imported beer, 0.33 L bottle | $3.03 |
| Coke/Pepsi, 0.33 L | $0.35 |
| Water, 0.33 L bottle | $0.16 |
Groceries
| Item | USD |
|---|---|
| Milk, 1 L | $0.55 |
| White bread, 500 g | $0.51 |
| White rice, 1 kg | $0.71 |
| Eggs, 12 | $0.84 |
| Local cheese, 1 kg | $5.53 |
| Chicken fillets, 1 kg | $3.40 |
| Apples, 1 kg | $2.90 |
| Bananas, 1 kg | $0.83 |
| Tomatoes, 1 kg | $0.49 |
| Potatoes, 1 kg | $0.45 |
| Onions, 1 kg | $0.42 |
| Water, 1.5 L bottle | $0.29 |
Transport & bills
| Item | USD |
|---|---|
| One-way ticket, local transport | $0.31 |
| Monthly transit pass | $10.45 |
| Taxi start | $1.04 |
| Taxi, 1 km | $0.37 |
| Gasoline, 1 L | $1.09 |
| Basic utilities, 85 m² flat | $38.53 |
| Internet, 60 Mbps+ | $8.08 |
| Mobile plan, monthly | $4.45 |
Leisure
| Item | USD |
|---|---|
| Gym, monthly | $14.07 |
| Cinema, one seat | $2.61 |
Dating-age sex ratio
Chennai has 97 men per 100 women aged 20–39 (district level). That is the 9th-highest of 10 India cities we track. India's national figure is 109.4, so Chennai runs 12 below the country as a whole.
A supply figure, 20–39. The dating-pool model is in Pro.
Climate & air
Ten-year monthly means, 2015–2024 — a climate profile, not a forecast.
| Month | Avg | Feels | Humidity | Cloud | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 25.5°C | 28.3°C | 76% | 44% | 28 mm |
| Feb | 26.2°C | 29.5°C | 75% | 36% | 5 mm |
| Mar | 28.1°C | 32.6°C | 77% | 36% | 5 mm |
| Apr | 30°C | 35.4°C | 77% | 37% | 9 mm |
| May | 30.9°C | 36.4°C | 76% | 58% | 67 mm |
| Jun | 30.8°C | 35.5°C | 71% | 84% | 71 mm |
| Jul | 30°C | 34.4°C | 72% | 88% | 104 mm |
| Aug | 29.6°C | 34.3°C | 75% | 86% | 105 mm |
| Sep | 29.2°C | 34.3°C | 78% | 79% | 108 mm |
| Oct | 28.4°C | 33.6°C | 81% | 67% | 155 mm |
| Nov | 26.8°C | 30.8°C | 83% | 73% | 348 mm |
| Dec | 26.1°C | 29.1°C | 80% | 58% | 160 mm |
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