Delhi
Editorial standardsMethodologyReviewed by WhereNext editorial · Verified
Delhi has real challenges — read the full breakdown before deciding.
WhereNext composite score
6-dimension index (safety, healthcare, education, career, climate, transport) · India avg 45 · global avg 63
- Cost index
- 28
- lower = cheaper · ~$1,000/mo single
- Safety (modeled)
- 38/100
- has some safety concerns
- Healthcare
- 59/100
- below average
- Climate
- 42/100
- cooler climate
- Transport
- 62/100
- mixed
- Air quality
- 15/100
- watch AQI
Quick answer
Delhi, India scores 44/100 on the WhereNext city composite (safety, healthcare, education, climate, career, transport). Estimated single-person monthly cost is around $1,000/mo (a central 1-bed runs ~$500/mo). Safety index 38/100 (modeled); healthcare 59/100; internet 50 Mbps (national median). Top neighborhoods: Central Core, Historic Quarter, Modern Suburbs.
Key facts
- ~$1,000/mo single-person estimated cost of living · 1-bed center $500/mo.
- Safety (modeled): 38/100 has some safety concerns city by modeled safety index using country-level inputs.
- Healthcare: 59/100 below-average healthcare access.
- Internet: 50 Mbps national median fixed broadband download, not a Delhi-specific measurement — adequate for remote work.
- Top neighborhoods Central Core, Historic Quarter, Modern Suburbs — researched expat-friendly areas.
City composite
On par with peers
- Delhi
- 44/100
- India avg
- 45/100
- Global avg
- 63/100
Compared against 4 indexed cities in India and 380 indexed cities globally.
Source: WhereNext 6-dimension city composite (safety, healthcare, education, climate, career, transport) · updated
The short version
How much does it cost?
~$1,000/mo for a single person. A central 1-bed is ~$500/mo. Outside the center: ~$250/mo.
Is it safe?
Safety score (modeled from country-level inputs): 38/100. Exercise caution — research neighborhoods carefully.
Can I work remotely?
Internet: 50 Mbps avg. Adequate for most remote work. Coworking: ~$80/mo.
What's the climate like?
Climate score: 42/100. Cooler climate — pack layers.
The honest take
What's great
- Transport — scored 62/100
- Healthcare — scored 59/100
- Climate — scored 42/100
Watch out for
- Air Quality — scored 15/100
- Education — scored 25/100
- Safety — scored 38/100
Is this place viable for you?
Quick decision check — Delhi
Strengths
- Affordability86/100
- Infrastructure62/100
- Healthcare59/100
Likely blockers
Safety scores below regional peers
Re-rank destinations against your prioritiesCareer market is narrower than average
Re-rank destinations against your priorities
Decision Snapshot
Quality scores are out of 100, higher is better. Cost uses a 0–200 index, where lower is cheaper.
Monthly Reality Check
What things actually cost in Delhi. Estimated total: ~$1,000/mo for a single person.
Based on verified local pricing data
1-bed apartment (centre)
$500
1-bed apartment (outside)
$250
Budget meal
$2
Cappuccino
$2.2
Monthly transport pass
$10
Coworking space
$80/mo
Avg internet speed (national)
50 Mbps
Neighborhoods
Where expats and locals actually live in Delhi.
Housing reality: Standard rental laws apply. Direct landlord negotiations are common, with 1-2 months deposit standard.
Premium Report
Get Real Data for Delhi
This city's scores are estimated from national data. A Decision Brief gives you verified local prices, neighborhoods, visa timelines, and a personalized relocation plan — researched specifically for Delhi.
Deep Research
Expand any section for detailed data and narrative.
Transport & Getting Around
Transport & Getting Around
Ridesharing apps (Uber/Bolt/Local equivalent) are highly recommended outside the walkable core.
Monthly transport pass: $10
India — Policy & Systems
India — Policy & Systems
Visa, tax, healthcare, and education policies are set at the national level. See the India country guide for full details.
Language & Expat Community
Language & Expat Community
Official Languages
Hindi, English, 22 scheduled languages
English Proficiency
Moderate
Foreign-born
0.4%
Expat Level
Low
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Delhi a good place to live for expats?
Delhi scores 44/100 overall. It is very affordable (~$1,000/mo), has some safety concerns on the modeled safety index, and has a healthcare score of 59/100. Top neighborhoods include Central Core, Historic Quarter, Modern Suburbs.
What does it cost to live in Delhi?
The estimated monthly cost of living in Delhi is ~$1,000 for a single person. A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs about $500/mo. Standard rental laws apply. Direct landlord negotiations are common, with 1-2 months deposit standard.
What are the best neighborhoods in Delhi?
The most recommended neighborhoods are Central Core, Historic Quarter, Modern Suburbs. A growing hub balancing local authenticity with emerging remote-work infrastructure.
How do I get around Delhi?
Delhi has a transport score of 62/100. Ridesharing apps (Uber/Bolt/Local equivalent) are highly recommended outside the walkable core.
Continue Your Research
Cities Like Delhi
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Suggested citation
CC BY 4.0This dataset is free to redistribute, quote, and embed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. The composite form below preserves source lineage so AI assistants can cite both WhereNext and the underlying institutional publishers.
WhereNext composite — WhereNext Delhi, India City Profile 2026 (2026-05-20). Derived from: Numbeo (city-level cost; verified via WhereNext audit); World Bank ICP (country-level PPP anchor); OECD + Eurostat (where applicable); WhereNext flagship-city research (qualitative + neighborhood depth). Available at https://getwherenext.com/city/in/delhi?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. CC BY 4.0.
WhereNext. (2026). WhereNext Delhi, India City Profile 2026. Retrieved from https://getwherenext.com/city/in/delhi?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. CC BY 4.0.
WhereNext. "WhereNext Delhi, India City Profile 2026." WhereNext, 20 May 2026, https://getwherenext.com/city/in/delhi?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. Accessed via https://getwherenext.com/city/in/delhi?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. CC BY 4.0.
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author = {{WhereNext}},
title = {WhereNext Delhi, India City Profile 2026},
year = {2026},
url = {https://getwherenext.com/city/in/delhi?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation},
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}<a href="https://getwherenext.com/city/in/delhi?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation">WhereNext — WhereNext Delhi, India City Profile 2026</a>
Next step
Anchor Delhi as your destination. Cost, neighborhoods, visa, healthcare and schools tools inherit the same context.
Important Notice
WhereNext provides data-driven insights for informational purposes only. Scores and rankings are algorithmically generated from public institutional data and may not reflect your individual circumstances. This tool does not replace professional advice for immigration, legal, tax, or financial matters.