My neighbor recently moved from Bangalore to Mysore and cut his monthly expenses from 80,000 to 45,000 while improving his quality of life. Living in Mysore cost averages 25,000-60,000 per month depending on lifestyle, making it 40-50% cheaper than Bangalore or Mumbai. This heritage city offers metropolitan amenities at tier-2 prices, attracting students, young professionals, families, and retirees seeking affordable quality living.
Housing and Rent Costs
1BHK apartments: 8,000-15,000/month. Gokulam (yoga crowd) commands 12,000-15,000. Vijayanagar, Kuvempunagar offer 8,000-12,000. Include maintenance 1,000-2,000. Deposit typically 10 months rent – negotiate for 5-6 months.
2BHK apartments: 12,000-25,000/month. Premium areas like Jayalakshmipuram 20,000-25,000. Middle-class localities 12,000-18,000. Gated communities add 3,000-5,000 for amenities. Furnished costs 20-30% extra but saves initial investment.
3BHK houses: 18,000-40,000/month. Independent houses in established areas 25,000-40,000. Apartments 18,000-30,000. Villas in outskirts 30,000+ but include gardens. Parking usually included unlike Bangalore.
Food and Grocery Expenses
Single person: 4,000-8,000/month. Cooking at home 4,000-5,000. Eating out regularly 6,000-8,000. Mixed approach most common 5,500. Devaraja Market vegetables 30% cheaper than supermarkets.
Couple: 8,000-15,000/month. Home cooking 8,000-10,000. Regular dining out pushes to 15,000. Local restaurants offer meals at 80-120. Fine dining 1,500 for two. Food delivery very affordable.
Family of four: 15,000-25,000/month. Groceries 12,000-15,000 shopping smart. School lunch boxes save money. Weekend outings add 3,000-5,000. Domestic help for cooking 3,000 additional.
Transportation Costs
Public transport: 500-1,500/month. City bus pass 750 covers unlimited travel. Auto-rickshaws for occasional use 500-1,000. Very economical compared to metros. KSRTC connectivity excellent.
Two-wheeler: 2,000-3,500/month. Petrol 1,500-2,000 for daily use. Maintenance, insurance 500-1,000 averaged. Parking mostly free. Traffic manageable, commute times predictable. Second-hand scooters readily available.
Car ownership: 8,000-15,000/month. EMI 8,000-20,000 depending on model. Petrol 3,000-5,000. Maintenance, insurance 2,000 averaged. Driver 10,000 if needed. Parking rarely problematic unlike metros.
Calculate your personalized monthly budget with our interactive tool.
Utilities and Services
Electricity: 800-2,500/month. Basic usage 800-1,200. With AC 1,500-2,500. Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) rates reasonable. Power cuts minimal, inverter backup common.
Water: 200-500/month. Municipal water usually sufficient. Tanker water 500-1,000 during summer if needed. Borewell common in independent houses. Quality generally good, RO systems recommended.
Internet/Cable: 1,000-1,500/month. Fiber internet 100Mbps 700-1,000. DTH/Cable 300-500. Multiple providers ensure competition. JioFiber, Airtel, ACT popular. Speeds reliable for work-from-home.
Mobile: 300-600/month. Prepaid plans sufficient for most. Postpaid 500-1,000 for heavy users. 4G coverage excellent. 5G rolling out in main areas.
Healthcare Costs
Consultation fees: 200-500 general physician. Specialists 300-800. Premium hospitals 500-1,000. Government hospitals nominal fees. Apollo, Columbia Asia, JSS well-equipped.
Health insurance: 1,000-3,000/month for family floater 5-10 lakhs. Individual plans 500-1,500. Employer coverage common. Government schemes available for eligible.
Medicines: 500-2,000/month average household. Generic medicines 50-70% cheaper. Jan Aushadhi stores offer massive discounts. Pharmacy availability excellent.
Education Expenses
Playschool/Nursery: 2,000-8,000/month. Local schools 2,000-4,000. Premium chains 5,000-8,000. Additional costs for uniforms, books 10,000 annually.
Private schools: 3,000-15,000/month. CBSE/ICSE schools 5,000-10,000. International schools 10,000-15,000. Bus fees 1,500-3,000 additional. Quality education available across budgets.
College/University: 20,000-2,00,000/year. Government colleges 20,000-50,000. Private engineering/medical 1,00,000-2,00,000. NIE, JSS, SJCE reputed. Living costs additional for outstation students.
Lifestyle and Entertainment
Movies: 150-300/ticket. Multiplex tickets 200-300. Single screens 100-150. Tuesday/Wednesday discounts common. OTT subscriptions replacing cinema visits.
Dining out: 500-2,000 per outing for couple. Street food 100-200. Casual dining 500-1,000. Fine dining 1,500-2,000. Craft beer places 1,000-1,500.
Fitness: 1,000-3,000/month. Regular gyms 1,000-1,500. Premium fitness centers 2,000-3,000. Yoga classes 1,500-2,500. Parks free for walking/jogging.
According to Numbeo Cost of Living Index, Mysore ranks 40% cheaper than Bangalore.
Domestic Help
Maid service: 2,000-4,000/month. Cleaning 2,000-3,000 for daily 1-hour work. Cooking additional 2,000-3,000. Live-in help 8,000-12,000 rare but available.
Driver: 10,000-15,000/month full-time. Part-time 5,000-8,000. Hourly basis 100-150. Reliable drivers available. Background verification services exist.
Other services: Gardener 1,000-2,000 monthly visits. Car washing 500-1,000. Laundry 30-50 per kg. Home maintenance services readily available.
Student Living Costs
Total monthly: 10,000-20,000. PG accommodation 4,000-8,000 including food. Private room 6,000-10,000. Shared apartment 3,000-5,000 per person.
Food: 3,000-5,000. Mess/canteen 2,500-3,500. Self-cooking 2,000-3,000. Outside food 4,000-5,000. Many affordable options near colleges.
Miscellaneous: 2,000-4,000. Transport 500-1,000. Entertainment 1,000-2,000. Study materials 500-1,000. Part-time job opportunities available.
Family Budget Breakdown
Middle-class family (4 members): 40,000-60,000/month total.
Rent (2BHK): 15,000-20,000
Food: 12,000-15,000
Transport: 5,000-8,000
Utilities: 2,500-3,500
Education (2 kids): 8,000-12,000
Healthcare: 2,000-3,000
Entertainment: 3,000-5,000
Savings: 5,000-10,000
Retiree Expenses
Comfortable retirement: 30,000-50,000/month. Rent/maintenance 15,000-25,000. Food 8,000-10,000. Healthcare 3,000-5,000. Utilities 2,000-3,000. Leisure 5,000-8,000.
Many retirees find Mysore ideal – good healthcare, peaceful environment, cultural activities. Senior citizen discounts available. Communities forming in areas like Jayalakshmipuram, Vijayanagar.
Comparison with Other Cities
Vs Bangalore: 40-50% cheaper overall. Rent 50% less. Food 30% less. Transport 40% less. Entertainment similar. Quality of life arguably better.
Vs Chennai/Hyderabad: 30-35% cheaper. Rent 40% less. Food similar. Transport 30% less. Climate advantage. Cultural richness higher.
Vs Tier-3 cities: 20-30% costlier but facilities superior. Better healthcare, education. More opportunities. Infrastructure developed.
Hidden Costs to Consider
Deposit money: 10 months rent typical, impacts initial capital. Brokerage one month rent. Maintenance deposits for utilities.
Seasonal variations: Summer electricity bills higher. Dasara period everything costlier. Admission season accommodation scarce.
Lifestyle inflation: Tendency to upgrade with savings. Social pressures in certain areas. Festival expenses considerable.
Money Saving Tips
Shop at Devaraja Market for 30% savings on vegetables. Use public transport – excellent connectivity. Choose areas like Vijayanagar, Kuvempunagar for value.
Cook at home – ingredients fresh and cheap. Join clubs/associations for group discounts. Explore government hospitals for quality affordable care.
Buy local brands – often better and cheaper. Use two-wheeler instead of car. Negotiate rent during off-season.
Income Opportunities
IT professionals: 25,000-80,000/month. Growing IT sector. Infosys, Wipro major employers. Startups emerging.
Teaching: 20,000-50,000/month. Numerous educational institutions. Coaching centers popular. Online teaching opportunities.
Business: Tourism, food, education sectors promising. Lower operational costs. Government support for startups.
Freelancing: Global clients, local costs advantage. Co-working spaces available. Good internet infrastructure.
FAQs About Living in Mysore Cost
What’s minimum salary needed for comfortable living?
Single person: 25,000-30,000 comfortable. Couple: 40,000-50,000. Family with kids: 60,000-70,000. Depends on lifestyle choices, area of residence.
Which areas offer best value for money?
Vijayanagar, Kuvempunagar, Saraswathipuram balance cost and convenience. Hebbal, Hootagalli cheaper but farther. Gokulam, Jayalakshmipuram premium but worth for some.
How much to budget for initial settling?
1.5-2 lakhs typical. Includes deposits (1 lakh), furniture basics (30,000), utility connections (10,000), immediate expenses (20,000).
Is Mysore good for work-from-home professionals?
Excellent choice. Reliable internet, power. Lower costs mean better savings. Peaceful environment. Good weather. Cultural activities for work-life balance.
Can retirees live comfortably on 40,000/month?
Yes, comfortably. Covers decent 2BHK rent, food, healthcare, utilities, entertainment. Many retirees manage well on 30,000-35,000. Premium lifestyle needs 50,000+.
Published: March 2025 | Next Update: After annual inflation adjustments