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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
New Delhi vs Kolkata in 2026: cost index 128 vs 88, rent ₹22,000 vs ₹12,000, income ₹6,80,000 vs ₹4,50,000, QoL 46 vs 56.
New Delhi vs Kolkata in 2026: cost index 128 vs 88, rent ₹22,000 vs ₹12,000, income ₹6,80,000 vs ₹4,50,000, QoL 46 vs 56.
New Delhi ranks #1 with a cost index of 128 and rent of ₹22,000/month.
Average cost index across these cities: 108 (+15 vs national average of 93).
Average quality of life: 51/100. Top: New Delhi at 46/100.
Safest city: Kolkata (52/100 safety score).
Let's cut to what actually matters here. New Delhi stands out as the top-ranked city in this analysis. With a cost index of 128 and median income of ₹6,80,000, it offers competitive value despite costs slightly above the national median. That ratio is hard to beat anywhere else.
On quality of life, Kolkata leads with a composite score of 56/100 — reflecting its safety (52), healthcare (72), and walkability (62) metrics. Here's where it gets complicated: affordability and QoL don't always move in the same direction, and India is a good example of that tension.
The country average QoL score is 57/100. New Delhi leads with 46/100, reflecting its safety, healthcare access, walkability, and green space.
Our index is benchmarked to 100 (national median). Sub-categories cover housing, food, transport, utilities, and healthcare. Data sources include MoSPI CPI, RBI, NHB RESIDEX, PLFS.
New Delhi (ranked #1) has a cost index of 128 and rent of ₹22,000/mo. Kolkata (#2) has index 88 and rent ₹12,000/mo — a 40-point gap.