Cost of Living in Lucknow
Uttar Pradesh • Population: 37 L
City of Nawabs, famous for its cuisine, tehzeeb, and rapidly growing infrastructure.
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Restaurants & Dining
Average prices at local restaurants, street food stalls, and cafes
| Item | Lucknow |
|---|---|
Veg Thali (local restaurant) per plate | ₹80 |
Non-Veg Thali (local restaurant) per plate | ₹140 |
Meal for Two (high-end restaurant) per meal | ₹1,000 |
Chai (regular cup) per cup | ₹10 |
Coffee (Cappuccino) per cup | ₹150 |
Specialty Coffee (Third Wave) per cup | ₹200 |
Street Food (Vada Pav / Samosa) per piece | ₹10 |
Biryani (chicken) per plate | ₹160 |
Dosa (plain) per plate | ₹55 |
Fast Food Combo (McDonald's) per meal | ₹230 |
Soft Drink (Coca-Cola, 300ml) per bottle | ₹35 |
Bottled Water (1 litre) per bottle | ₹20 |
Groceries
Prices at local markets and grocery stores, including health supplements
| Item | Lucknow |
|---|---|
Rice (Basmati) 1 kg | ₹85 |
Wheat Flour (Atta) 1 kg | ₹42 |
Toor Dal 1 kg | ₹140 |
Milk (Full Cream) 1 litre | ₹52 |
Eggs 12 pcs | ₹70 |
Chicken 1 kg | ₹200 |
Paneer 1 kg | ₹330 |
Onions 1 kg | ₹28 |
Tomatoes 1 kg | ₹32 |
Potatoes 1 kg | ₹22 |
Cooking Oil (Sunflower) 1 litre | ₹142 |
Sugar 1 kg | ₹42 |
Apples (Shimla) 1 kg | ₹180 |
Bananas 1 dozen | ₹40 |
Bread (White, Sliced) 1 loaf | ₹38 |
Whey Protein (1 kg) per kg | ₹3,000 |
Transportation
Public transport, ride-hailing, and fuel costs
| Item | Lucknow |
|---|---|
Auto Rickshaw (minimum fare) per ride | ₹20 |
Auto Rickshaw (per km after min) per km | ₹10 |
Metro / Local Train (monthly pass) per month | ₹850 |
Bus (monthly pass) per month | ₹500 |
Ola/Uber (avg ride) per ride | ₹9 |
Petrol 1 litre | ₹95 |
Diesel 1 litre | ₹88 |
Two Wheeler EMI (avg) per month | ₹3,500 |
Car EMI (avg) per month | ₹15,000 |
Utilities (Monthly)
Monthly bills for electricity, water, internet, and mobile
| Item | Lucknow |
|---|---|
Electricity per month | ₹1,400 |
Water Bill per month | ₹200 |
Cooking Gas (LPG Cylinder) per cylinder | ₹803 |
Broadband Internet per month | ₹850 |
Mobile Plan (Jio/Airtel) per month | ₹349 |
Accommodation - Rent (Monthly)
Monthly rent for apartments in different areas
| Item | Lucknow |
|---|---|
1 BHK in City Centre per month | ₹10,000 |
1 BHK Outside City Centre per month | ₹6,000 |
2 BHK in City Centre per month | ₹18,000 |
2 BHK Outside City Centre per month | ₹10,000 |
3 BHK in City Centre per month | ₹30,000 |
3 BHK Outside City Centre per month | ₹16,000 |
Home Loan EMI (2BHK avg) per month | ₹18,000 |
Household Help & Misc
Cook, maid, and other monthly household expenses
| Item | Lucknow |
|---|---|
Cook (part-time, 2 meals/day) per month | ₹3,000 |
Maid / Cleaning Help per month | ₹1,000 |
Laundry / Ironing (dhobi) per month | ₹600 |
Miscellaneous Monthly Spend per month | ₹1,200 |
Shopping & Online
Clothing, personal care, and online shopping averages
| Item | Lucknow |
|---|---|
Men's Casual Shirt (Zara/H&M) per piece | ₹2,500 |
Women's Dress (Myntra/Zara) per piece | ₹2,000 |
Running Shoes (Nike/Adidas) per pair | ₹5,500 |
Skincare Basics (Nykaa avg) per month | ₹1,200 |
Amazon Prime Membership per month | ₹149 |
Lifestyle & Entertainment
Gym, movies, streaming, and personal care
| Item | Lucknow |
|---|---|
Gym Membership per month | ₹800 |
Movie Ticket (Multiplex) per ticket | ₹170 |
Netflix (Standard Plan) per month | ₹649 |
Spotify Premium per month | ₹119 |
Haircut (Men, basic salon) per cut | ₹70 |
Domestic Beer (pint, restaurant) per pint | ₹160 |
Imported Beer (bottle, restaurant) per bottle | ₹320 |
Last updated: February 2026
Based on data from 44 contributors
Prices are averages and may vary by locality
Monthly Budget Guide for Lucknow
Estimated all-in monthly costs based on current Lucknow prices — accommodation, food, transport, and utilities.
- • PG triple sharing (meals incl.)
- • Bus pass for commute
- • Basic personal expenses
- • PG double sharing or 1BHK outside centre
- • Meals at local restaurants
- • Metro / transport + utilities
- • 1BHK in city centre
- • Dining out + groceries
- • Transport + utilities + leisure
* Estimates are indicative. Actual costs depend on lifestyle, exact location, and current market rates. Use the calculator to customise for your situation.
Lucknow: Key Facts & Insights
What makes Lucknow unique — economy, infrastructure, lifestyle, and things to know before you move.
Lucknow's kebabs are legendary. Tunday Kababi has been serving ₹30 kebabs with 160 spices since 1905 — 120 years.
Lucknow is one of India's cheapest cities — a family of 4 can live comfortably on ₹40,000/month including rent.
The Bara Imambara has a maze (Bhool Bhulaiya) that's the largest in India — 1,024 pathways with no dead ends.
Traffic is growing chaotic as the city expands. Gomti Nagar to Hazratganj (7 km) can take 45 minutes in peak hours.
Job market is limited — most high-paying roles are government or real estate. IT sector is still in its infancy.
Lucknow Metro, new expressways, and the IT City project are transforming the city's infrastructure rapidly.
Lucknow's 'tehzeeb' (etiquette) is famous — it's possibly the politest city in India.
Summers hit 45°C+ and winters drop to 3-4°C. The annual temperature range of 40+ degrees is among India's highest.
A full Awadhi meal (biryani, kebab, roomali roti, sheermal) costs ₹150 — what you'd pay for a single dish in Mumbai.
The Gomti river is heavily polluted — untreated sewage from 20+ drains flows directly into it.
Frequently Asked Questions — Cost of Living in Lucknow
How much does it cost to live in Lucknow per month?
A single person living frugally in Lucknow (PG triple sharing) can manage on around ₹6,000/month. A comfortable independent lifestyle with a 1BHK apartment typically costs ₹25,000/month, depending on lifestyle choices.
What is the average rent for a 1BHK apartment in Lucknow?
A 1BHK apartment in Lucknow's city centre costs around ₹10,000/month. Outside the city centre, rent drops to approximately ₹6,000. Prices vary significantly by neighbourhood and the age of the building.
Is Lucknow affordable for students?
Yes — Lucknow has good PG accommodation options for students. A PG with triple sharing and meals starts from around ₹4,500/month, making it accessible for students on a budget. The city is considered very affordable overall, with a Cost Index of 23 compared to Mumbai's base of 100.
How does Lucknow compare to Mumbai for cost of living?
Lucknow is 77% cheaper than Mumbai on average. Its Cost Index is 23 compared to Mumbai's 100. This means your rupee goes significantly further in Lucknow than in India's most expensive city.
What are the cheapest accommodation options in Lucknow?
The most affordable option in Lucknow is a PG with triple sharing and meals at around ₹4,500/month. Double sharing PG accommodation costs approximately ₹5,500. For independent living, a 1BHK outside the city centre is typically the next step up.
Thinking of relocating to or from Lucknow?
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