Choosing a city when you move back to India
Many returnees don't go back to their home town. Jobs, schools, healthcare and flights abroad often decide it. Here's how the main cities compare, and how to choose.
The short version
Most choice, highest costs
- Mumbai, Delhi NCR and Bengaluru: the most jobs, schools and hospitals
- Highest rents and home prices; long commutes
A balance
- Pune, Hyderabad and Chennai: good jobs and schools
- Lower costs than the biggest metros
Lower costs, slower pace
- Kochi, Coimbatore, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad and others
- Good for retirement or remote work; fewer large employers
The main cities at a glance
| City | 3-bedroom rent | Buying, per sq ft | Known for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bengaluru | ₹80,000 a month | ₹14,000 | Tech jobs, IB schools, pleasant weather | Traffic, water in some areas |
| Hyderabad | ₹65,000 a month | ₹12,000 | Tech jobs, newer infrastructure, good value | Summer heat |
| Pune | ₹60,000 a month | ₹14,000 | Jobs, schools, climate, a calmer pace | Traffic, fast growth |
| Chennai | ₹50,000 a month | ₹12,000 | Hospitals, schools, value for money | Heat and humidity, floods |
| Mumbai | ₹1.6 lakh a month | ₹30,000 | Finance jobs, the best connections | Cost, space, commutes |
| Gurugram | ₹1 lakh a month | ₹20,000 | Corporate jobs, IB schools, new homes | Winter air quality, summer heat |
| Kochi | ₹42,000 a month | ₹9,000 | Gulf flights, calm, healthcare | Fewer large employers, monsoon |
| Ahmedabad | ₹42,000 a month | ₹9,000 | Low costs, business, safety | Summer heat, fewer international schools |
| Chandigarh and Mohali | ₹48,000 a month | ₹10,000 | Planned city, greenery, calm | Fewer large employers, winter air |
| Coimbatore | ₹32,000 a month | ₹7,500 | Low costs, climate, healthcare | Fewer flights abroad and fewer big employers |
Rent and prices are typical for premium gated communities in family-friendly areas, from our cost of living data (2026); they vary a lot by area. Compare any city with where you live now.
Which suits you?
- You need a job in tech or a global companyBengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai or Gurugram have the most openings.
- You want an IB or international schoolBig metros and Pune have the most choice; smaller cities have only a few.
- You'll fly abroad oftenDelhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai have the most direct flights; Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram have many to the Gulf.
- You're retiring and want calm and lower costsKochi, Coimbatore, Mysuru, Chandigarh or Pune's quieter suburbs.
- Air quality matters to your familySouthern and western cities generally have cleaner air than Delhi NCR in winter.
- You want family nearbyOften the deciding factor: help with children, and being there for parents.
How to decide
- List what matters most: job, school, hospital, airport, family, climate. Rank them.
- Visit in the worst season: summer in the north, the monsoon in the south and west.
- Pick the area, not just the city. In big cities, the neighbourhood decides your commute, schools and water supply.
- Rent first, then buy once you know the area: see Buy straight away or rent first?
Questions
Which is the best city in India for NRIs to settle in?
There's no single best city. Bengaluru, Pune and Hyderabad are popular for jobs and schools; Chennai and Kochi for healthcare and value; Gurugram for corporate jobs. Choose by your job, schools and family.
Which Indian city is cheapest to live in comfortably?
Among the cities we cover, Coimbatore, Thiruvananthapuram and Vadodara have the lowest rents and prices for a comfortable family home, about half of Bengaluru's or less.
Which cities are best for retirement?
Many retirees choose Pune, Kochi, Coimbatore, Mysuru, Chandigarh or Bengaluru's quieter areas, for climate, healthcare and a calmer pace.
Is Bengaluru or Pune better for returning families?
Both have good jobs, schools and weather. Bengaluru has more tech jobs and IB schools; Pune is usually cheaper, with shorter commutes. Compare them for your own budget.
Should I move back to my home town?
If you have family there and can find work or don't need it, it can be the easiest move. If not, a city with the right job and school often matters more.