Planning to move to Delhi for your new job? Well, moving cities can be quite overwhelming. And when it comes to the capital city, there are a lot of things to consider before taking the big step. From its food, accommodation, culture, and lifestyle, Delhi is one of the fastest-growing cities among the other metros. If you want to experience the best of Delhi life on a beginner’s salary, we are here to help. Read on below to understand the cost of living and saving in Delhi and to plan your budget.

Related: Planning To Move To Delhi? 8 Things To Look Out For Before Renting A House

1. Accommodation

Whatever your budget or lifestyle is, Delhi has something to offer to everyone. So, if you are looking for accommodation for just one person, you can share a PG with roommates which will cost you about ₹5,000 per month. But if you want privacy, you can also rent a relatively inexpensive flat in areas like Mukherjee Nagar, Rohini, Kingsway Camp, Mayur Vihar, and Lajpat Nagar. Here, you’ll be able to rent a 1BHK between ₹7,000-₹10,000 per month.

2. Food

Delhi is home to many cuisines, so you can explore a great variety of food options. But eating out every day isn’t the healthiest option and will cost you easily about ₹10,000 per month. Opting for tiffin services or hiring a full-time or part-time cleaner and cook will cost you about ₹5,000-₹6,000 per month. Take a call depending on what works best for you.

Related: Exemplary Delhi-Based Home Kitchens That You Should Order From ASAP

3. Groceries

For all those midnight Maggi cravings or sudden grilled cheese moods, keeping your groceries stocked is essential. You can either order them online or go grocery shopping at the local market. There are many delivery options like Big Basket, Grofers, Instamart, and more if you want to order in. This will cost you roughly around ₹2,000-₹3,000 per month.

4. Travel

Public transport in Delhi makes it super easy to commute across the city. You can get a Metro card made for your monthly travel which will cost you about ₹1,500-₹3,000. You can also catch DTC buses for a more economical mode of travel. Cabs can be expensive in Delhi depending on the distance and the app you use for booking the cabs. If you prefer to use your own vehicle, a look at the petrol rates can help you plan your travel easily. Currently, the petrol rates are above ₹100 per litre and diesel rates are at ₹90 per litre.

5. Electricity

Electricity is one of the main things to keep in mind when considering the cost of living in Delhi. For the first 200 units you consume, the rate is ₹3 per unit; for 200-400 units, the rate goes up to ₹4.50 per unit and so on. Having an air conditioner is a must in the summer and monsoon, so that will bring your bill to about ₹2,000-3,000 per month depending on the usage of heavy appliances.

6. Utilities

Your basic utilities like gas, water, and wifi come next while considering the move to Delhi. An LPG cylinder’s current rate in Delhi is around ₹885 rupees which can last you a month and a half. But PNG is a cheaper alternative if you have a gas stove as it will cost you about ₹33-₹34 per scm.

Your average water bill would be around ₹200-₹300 per month. And your wifi bill can cost up to ₹800-₹1,000 per month on average, depending on your wi-fi service provider.

7. Leisure and Sports

Leisure and sports like a gym, boxing classes, or other fitness activities or sports are easily accessible in Delhi. You can get a gym membership between ₹1,000-₹4,000 per month depending on your package. Or you can also subscribe to online classes that can cost you roughly ₹500-₹1,000 per month.

8. Shopping and eating out

You can safely keep about ₹1,000-₹1,500 aside for an evening out in Delhi that will include shopping and dining out. From malls to restaurants, a decent meal will cost you about ₹1,000 for two people excluding alcohol. And you can add another ₹1,000 to your cost of living in Delhi list as miscellaneous expenses.

Savings

Now that you have a rough idea of how much your total budget should be, let’s talk about savings. On the basis of the above data, here’s what you’ll be able to save on a salary of ₹30,000 a month.

• Accommodation – ₹10,000
• Food – ₹6,000
• Groceries – ₹2,000
• Travel – ₹3,000
• Electricity – ₹2,000
• Utilities – ₹1,000
• Leisure and Sports – ₹2,000
• Shopping and eating out – ₹1,000
• Miscellaneous – ₹1,000

So, your monthly savings come to ₹30,000-₹28,000= ₹2,000. But here’s how you can save even more:

• Accommodation: Rent a flat on sharing basis to cut down your cost in half.
• Food: Learn to cook yourself and avoid eating out on a regular basis.
• Travel: Opt for office transport or carpool with your colleagues instead of taking a cab all by yourself.
• Electricity: Use energy-saving appliances or solar appliances to bring down your cost.
• Leisure and sports: Instead of a gym membership, go for a walk or a run and use public gym areas made in local parks.

Also, if you think ₹2,000 is too small an amount to save every month, remember that this is just the beginning of your career and that your savings will increase as your income rises. And you can even make ₹2,000 work for you and multiply if you invest it wisely.

Click here to know how to increase your savings and invest even on a beginner’s salary.