Chennai travel budget

Chennai: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Chennai

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Chennai for 2 people.

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

  • $ 27 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 3.8 per person
  • $ 1.4 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 518* (44800 Rs.)

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 56 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 11 per person
  • $ 3.6 per person
  • $ 2.9 per person

Total budget:

$ 1257* (108822 Rs.)

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 86 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 14 per person
  • $ 6.7 per person
  • $ 5.8 per person

Total budget:

$ 1927* (166796 Rs.)

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).



Cost of living in Chennai compared to United States in 2025

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in Chennai in 2025 is 63% less than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Chennai in 2025 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):




Local prices in Chennai by expense type

Restaurant budget in Chennai

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in Chennai is 66% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Lunch
Lunch
$ 2/person
($ 1.2 to $ 3.9)

90% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 22
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 6.6/person
($ 3.9 to $ 14)

83% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 41
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 4.6/person
($ 3.9 to $ 6.6)

61% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12
Local beer
Local beer
$ 2.2 for 500ml
($ 1.3 to $ 3.7)

65% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6.5
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 3.9 for 330ml
($ 2.1 to $ 5.9)

3% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.8
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 2.3/cup
($ 1 to $ 3.9)

58% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.6
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 0.6/can
($ 0.3 to $ 0.7)

80% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.7
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 0.2/bottle
($ 0.1 to $ 0.2)

90% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Hotel and accommodation budget in Chennai

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in Chennai is 61% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 56/night
($ 12 to $ 313)

68% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 173
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 63/night
($ 14 to $ 557)

62% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 165
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 50/night
($ 9.2 to $ 208)

79% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 244
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 122/night
($ 36 to $ 294)

64% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 343
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 192/night
($ 95 to $ 379)

65% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 559
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 39/month
($ 15 to $ 166)

78% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 176
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 124/month
($ 17 to $ 449)

52% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 261
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 135/month
($ 25 to $ 498)

39% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 222
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 54/month
($ 19 to $ 206)

78% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 252
Family room
Family room
$ 155/month
($ 20 to $ 718)

28% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 216

Supermarket food budget in Chennai

On average, the price of supermarket food in Chennai is 72% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Milk
Milk
$ 0.7/litre
($ 0.6 to $ 1)

38% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1
Bread
Bread
$ 0.6/500g
($ 0.3 to $ 1)

84% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9
Rice
Rice
$ 0.8/kg
($ 0.6 to $ 1.2)

82% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.9
Eggs
Eggs
$ 1/12 eggs
($ 0.8 to $ 1.3)

74% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4
Chicken
Chicken
$ 3.8/kg
($ 2.7 to $ 5.2)

70% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13
Apples
Apples
$ 3/kg
($ 1.3 to $ 3.9)

46% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.7
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 0.7/kg
($ 0.3 to $ 1)

87% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 0.6/kg
($ 0.3 to $ 0.8)

81% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.2
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 0.3
($ 0.2 to $ 0.6)

83% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4

Public and private transport budget in Chennai

On average, the price of transport in Chennai is 55% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 0.3/ticket
($ 0.2 to $ 0.7)

85% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.7
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 0.3/km
($ 0.2 to $ 0.7)

82% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.9
Petrol
Petrol
$ 1.4/litre
($ 1.3 to $ 1.4)

31% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 1.6
($ 1.3 to $ 2.7)

60% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4
Car hire
Car hire
$ 18/24hrs
($ 15 to $ 20)

78% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 80

Leisure activity budget in Chennai

On average, budget for leisure activities in Chennai is 74% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 2.9/ticket
($ 2.2 to $ 5.2)

80% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16
Tennis
Tennis
$ 7.1/hr
($ 3.9 to $ 11)

68% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 23

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Chennai

On average, shopping budget in Chennai is 52% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 4.5/pack
($ 2.9 to $ 5.2)

58% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 28
($ 12 to $ 40)

51% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 57
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 26
($ 9.8 to $ 40)

47% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 47

Plane ticket budget

London → Chennai
London → Chennai
London → Chennai
$ 906
(fair price: $ 728)
Sydney → Chennai
Sydney → Chennai
Sydney → Chennai
$ 743
(fair price: $ 619)
Melbourne → Chennai
Melbourne → Chennai
Melbourne → Chennai
$ 728
(fair price: $ 596)
Montreal → Chennai
Montreal → Chennai
Montreal → Chennai
$ 1460
(fair price: $ 1345)
Toronto → Chennai
Toronto → Chennai
Toronto → Chennai
$ 1455
(fair price: $ 1324)
Dublin → Chennai
Dublin → Chennai
Dublin → Chennai
$ 899
(fair price: $ 735)

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About this information on the cost of living in Chennai

The information about the cost of living in Chennai shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including: Numbeo, Skyscanner and Hotels.com.

The information about the cost of living in Chennai was updated on 28-03-2025.

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