Ahmedabad’s blend of centuries-old charm and dynamic modern amenities makes it an exciting destination. For some newcomers, cracking the city’s financial code can be as challenging as navigating its famously labyrinthine pols. Whether you’re a student, young professional, or just seeking a change of scene, here’s your no-nonsense guide to Ahmedabad’s living costs.

Finding your urban oasis

Ahmedabad’s real estate landscape offers diverse options, but location is key. Western parts of the city, such as Prahladnagar and the Satellite Road area, are go-to spots for young professionals, while Navrangpura and CG Road attract the student crowd.

Furnished apartments in prime locations can set you back ₹25,000-₹35,000 a month if you value your privacy. However, if you’re open to sharing your life with roommates, this amount could fall significantly to as little as ₹10,000–₹12,000 if you play your cards right.

Fair warning though, even if you’re willing to cough up the dough, one realtor warns that many homeowners are wary of letting their properties to ‘bachelors’, as single folks are often called, irrespective of gender.

If rentals are proving too problematic, paying guest (PG) accommodations offer a different route to (a temporary) home sweet home in the ₹9,000-₹17,000 range, depending on room size and occupancy. If you’re wondering why the upper range is more expensive than renting a place with roommates, it’s because PG charges often include meals and utilities as well.

A realtor told Gujarat Samachar Digital that professionals new to the city generally choose PGs in Prahladnagar, Sindhu Bhavan, Thaltej, SG Highway, Makarba, Satellite, Jodhpur, and Vastrapur as these are closer to their offices. As with rental properties, students seem to prefer Navrangpura and CG Road due to their proximity to a number of colleges.

Fuelling up on food

While Ahmedabad’s culinary landscape is a feast for the senses, eating out regularly can be expensive and home-cooked meals aren’t always feasible for newcomers. Enter the humble “tiffin” – a service that has proven to be a lifesaver for many a busy urbanite. These meal delivery services offer a wide array of portion sizes and cuisine options to suit your palate, and typically range from ₹2,500 to ₹4,000 monthly.

Another option open to renters is to hire a home cook. This is more expensive than signing up for tiffins once, twice, or even three times a day, but does give you more autonomy over ingredients and their quality.

Getting around town

Ahmedabad’s public transport game is strong. Auto-rickshaws start at ₹20 for short hops, with ₹3 being added to the meter for every 0.2 km after the first 1.2 km.

The extensive bus network (AMTS and BRTS) offers rides for as little as ₹5 for a distance of 3 km to ₹30 for 20 km, depending on distance.

For longer commutes, the metro (currently operational from APMC market to Motera stadium and Thaltej gaam to Vastral gaam) is your best bet, with fares between ₹5 and ₹25.

The bottom line

Tallying it all up, expect to budget ₹16,000–₹19,000 monthly for basic living expenses in Ahmedabad. Of course, your mileage may vary depending on lifestyle choices and location preferences. For instance, a furnished, 2BHK rental property that costs ₹25,000–₹27,000 near Vaishnodevi Circle and in Shilaj would typically go up to the ₹28,000–₹29,000 range in Vastrapur and Gurukul, and further up, to ₹30,000–₹35,000 in Prahladnagar and Satellite.

So, while living costs can add up, smart choices and local insights can help you make the most of your budget.