Baby Boomer Best Retirement Spots

The financial crisis is hitting everyone in the pockets and as millions reach retirement age, stretching their money has become a necessity as retirement plans and savings fall woefully short of maintaining their standard of living.

Seniors are increasingly looking overseas for low cost retirement destinations. The most recent cost-of-living data from Xpatulator.com reveals a number of exotic destinations where seniors can still enjoy the good life for less. Here are five cities that you may want to consider.

Quito, Ecuador

In the latest Xpatulator.com cost of living rankings, Ecuador ranks 193rd out of 219 countries while its capital city, Quito, ranks 598th out of the 780 locations listed. While being closer to the bottom of the list based on the cost-of-living, Ecuador tops several recent lists as the best place in the world to retire. Quito is elevated at over 9,000 feet and is near the equator which allows it to enjoy consistent cool weather with average highs near 70F and lows near 50F year round. According to Huffingtonpost.com, the state sponsored health care system recently change to include care to all legal residents including those over the age of 60 as well as those with pre-existing conditions. Recently called South America's prettiest big city combined with good and accessible health care, you have a winning combination.

Nashville, Tennessee, USA

While Bankrate.com recently awarded Tennessee the title of best US state to retire, Music City, as Nashville is often known, has become the state's newest Boomtown. The low cost of housing, no income tax and high quality of life, has retirees flocking to Nashville in record numbers.

Nashville, Tennessee ranks 727th out of the 780 locations included in the list of Xpatulator.com's most expensive locations.

Bali, Indonesia

Ranked 597th, a move up of 67 places from last year's rankings, it is still considered an inexpensive vacation and retirement destination, but the island is becoming increasingly popular and gradually more expensive. 

Sofia, Bulgaria

Bulgaria's low cost of living, outstanding infrastructure, membership of the EU, bustling culture and entertainment scene plus  easy low-cost connections to Europe make this a perfect base without the price tag of a city like Rome, Paris or Zurich.  Bulgaria ranks 211th out of 219 countries in the Xpatulator.com cost-of-living rankings while Sofia ranks 759th out of 780 locations. So if spending your golden years exploring the capital cities of Europe sounds like your idea of retirement, Sofia, Bulgaria provides an excellent retirement option.

Chandigarh, India

Chandigarh, nicknamed the "Pensioners Paradise" is virtually unknown outside India other than to westerners that have traveled to India as medical tourists. Many seniors are now looking at India as a potential retirement destination. Chandigarh is the administrative center of both Haryana and Punjab states, and was created from a mostly barren landscape starting in the 1960s. It has uncharacteristically wide streets, well organized public transportation and the highest per capita income of any city in India.

Overall India ranks as the 206th most expensive country in the Xpatulator.com rankings.

There are many considerations that you need to make before choosing an overseas city to retire. Attention should be made to the type of medical care available, whether there is access to western style goods and your proximity to family and friends are all important factors. The bottom line is that it’s a personal choice, but increasing numbers of people are happily choosing to expand their horizons to enjoy a better quality of life in retirement.

Xpatulator.com provides up-to-date cost of living data for over 700 locations worldwide.

Steven McManus is a Remuneration and Benefits Consultant and founder of  http://www.xpatulator.com where employers and employees can calculate how much you need to earn in another location to have a similar spending power.
Calculators include Salary Purchasing Power Parity (recommended if you are an organization planning to relocate an employee to an international location, or an individual with a job offer in another country), International Assignment Management (recommended for the calculation of the compensation and benefits for a typical expatriate assignment of six months up to five years duration using your choice of home and host location), Cost of Living Allowance (recommended for calculating a cost of living allowance for short-term assignments and a detailed cost of living comparison basket by basket) and Cost of Living Index (recommended for the calculation of 3 or more host location cost of living indexes using your choice of home base city).

India, New Delhi Cost of Living January 2010

LOCATION: India is in Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan.

CAPITAL CITY: New Delhi

LARGEST CITY: Mumbai

CURRENCY: Indian Rupee (INR)

ECONOMY: Since 1991, India has gradually opened up its markets through economic reforms and reduced government controls on foreign trade and investment. India has a diverse economy which includes traditional village farming, modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries, and a multitude of services. These services are the major source of economic growth, accounting for more than half of India's output with less than one third of its labor force. The fundamental social, economic, and environmental problems are due to the huge and growing population. New Delhi is the second largest metropolitan area in India. Delhi is an important commercial centre in South Asia. The city's service sector has expanded due in part to the large skilled English-speaking workforce that has attracted many multinational companies. Key service industries include information technology, telecommunications, hotels, banking, media and tourism.

New Delhi has an overall cost of living index which equates it with middle cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. New Delhi is currently ranked 146 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 276 international locations. The cost of living overview for each of the 13 Basket Groups is as follows:

Alcohol & Tobacco costs for alcoholic beverages such as alcohol at bar, beer, locally produced spirit, whiskey, and wine as well as tobacco products such as cigarettes is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 137 out of 276.

Clothing costs for clothing and footwear products such as business suits, casual clothing, childrens clothing and footwear, coats and hats, evening wear, shoe repairs, and underwear is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 261 out of 276.

Communication costs for various communication costs such as home telephone rental and call charges, internet connection and service provider fees, mobile / cellular phone contract and calls is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 271 out of 276.

Education costs such as creche / pre-school fees, high school / college fees, primary school fees, and tertiary study fees is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 173 out of 276.

Furniture & Appliance costs for furniture, household equipment and household appliances such as dvd player, fridge freezer, iron, kettle, toaster, microwave, light bulbs, television, vacuum cleaner, and washing machine is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 120 out of 276.

Grocery costs for food, non-alcoholic beverages and cleaning material items such as baby consumables, baked goods, baking, canned foods, cheese, cleaning products, dairy, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fruit juices, meat, oil & vinegars, pet food, pre-prepared meals, sauces, seafood, snacks, soft drinks, spices & herbs is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 216 out of 276.

Healthcare costs for general healthcare, medical and medical insurance such as general practitioner consultation rates, hospital private ward daily rate, non-prescription medicine, and private medical insurance / medical aid contributions is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 213 out of 276.

Household costs for housing, water, electricity, household gas, household fuels, local rates and residential taxes such as house / flat mortgage, house / flat rental, household electricity consumption, household gas / fuel consumption, household water consumption, and local property rates / taxes / levies is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 86 out of 276.

Miscellaneous costs related to stationary, linen and general goods and services such as domestic help, dry cleaning, linen, office supplies, newspapers and magazines, and postage stamps is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 235 out of 276.

Personal Care costs for personal care products and services such as cosmetics, hair care, moisturizer / sun block, nappies, pain relief tablets, toilet paper, toothpaste, and soap / shampoo / conditioner is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 252 out of 276.

Recreation and Culture costs such as books, camera film, cinema ticket, DVD and CDs, sports goods, and theatre tickets is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 246 out of 276.

Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotel costs such as business dinner, dinner at a restaurant (non fast food), hotel rates, take away drinks and snacks (fast food) is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 211 out of 276.

Transport costs for public transport, vehicle costs, vehicle fuel, vehicle insurance and vehicle maintenance such as hire purchase / lease of vehicle, petrol / diesel, public transport service maintenance, tires, vehicle Insurance, and vehicle purchase is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 40 out of 276.

Your exact customized cost of living index for New Delhi is based on which of the above basket groups as well as the comparison location you select in the Calculators.

In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, New Delhi is ranked as a high degree of hardship location with a hardship index of 30%.

Your exact customized hardship index premium for New Delhi is based on the comparison location that you select in the Calculators.

India, Mumbai Cost of Living January 2010

LOCATION: India is in Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan. Mumbai, formerly Bombay, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the financial capital of India.

CAPITAL CITY: New Delhi

LARGEST CITY: Mumbai

CURRENCY: Indian Rupee (INR)

ECONOMY: Since 1991, India has gradually opened up its markets through economic reforms and reduced government controls on foreign trade and investment. India has a diverse economy which includes traditional village farming, modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries, and a multitude of services. These services are the major source of economic growth, accounting for more than half of India's output with less than one third of its labor force. The fundamental social, economic, and environmental problems are due to the huge and growing population. Mumbai is India's largest city. It serves as an important economic hub of the country, contributing 10% of all factory employment, 40% of all income tax collections, 60% of all customs duty collections, 20% of all central excise tax collections, 40% of India's foreign trade and Rs. 40 billion (US$ 840 million) in corporate taxes.

Mumbai has an overall cost of living index which equates it with middle cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Mumbai is currently ranked 113 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 276 international locations. The cost of living overview for each of the 13 Basket Groups is as follows:

Alcohol & Tobacco costs for alcoholic beverages such as alcohol at bar, beer, locally produced spirit, whiskey, and wine as well as tobacco products such as cigarettes is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 116 out of 276.

Clothing costs for clothing and footwear products such as business suits, casual clothing, childrens clothing and footwear, coats and hats, evening wear, shoe repairs, and underwear is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 255 out of 276.

Communication costs for various communication costs such as home telephone rental and call charges, internet connection and service provider fees, mobile / cellular phone contract and calls is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 268 out of 276.

Education costs such as creche / pre-school fees, high school / college fees, primary school fees, and tertiary study fees is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 155 out of 276.

Furniture & Appliance costs for furniture, household equipment and household appliances such as dvd player, fridge freezer, iron, kettle, toaster, microwave, light bulbs, television, vacuum cleaner, and washing machine is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 96 out of 276.

Grocery costs for food, non-alcoholic beverages and cleaning material items such as baby consumables, baked goods, baking, canned foods, cheese, cleaning products, dairy, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fruit juices, meat, oil & vinegars, pet food, pre-prepared meals, sauces, seafood, snacks, soft drinks, spices & herbs is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 195 out of 276.

Healthcare costs for general healthcare, medical and medical insurance such as general practitioner consultation rates, hospital private ward daily rate, non-prescription medicine, and private medical insurance / medical aid contributions is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 190 out of 276.

Household costs for housing, water, electricity, household gas, household fuels, local rates and residential taxes such as house / flat mortgage, house / flat rental, household electricity consumption, household gas / fuel consumption, household water consumption, and local property rates / taxes / levies is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 60 out of 276.

Miscellaneous costs related to stationary, linen and general goods and services such as domestic help, dry cleaning, linen, office supplies, newspapers and magazines, and postage stamps is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 222 out of 276.

Personal Care costs for personal care products and services such as cosmetics, hair care, moisturizer / sun block, nappies, pain relief tablets, toilet paper, toothpaste, and soap / shampoo / conditioner is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 242 out of 276.

Recreation and Culture costs such as books, camera film, cinema ticket, DVD and CDs, sports goods, and theatre tickets is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 239 out of 276.

Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotel costs such as business dinner, dinner at a restaurant (non fast food), hotel rates, take away drinks and snacks (fast food) is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 189 out of 276.

Transport costs for public transport, vehicle costs, vehicle fuel, vehicle insurance and vehicle maintenance such as hire purchase / lease of vehicle, petrol / diesel, public transport service maintenance, tires, vehicle Insurance, and vehicle purchase is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 32 out of 276.

Your exact customized cost of living index for Mumbai is based on which of the above basket groups as well as the comparison location you select in the Calculators.

In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Mumbai is ranked as a high degree of hardship location with a hardship index of 30%.

Your exact customized hardship index premium for Mumbai is based on the comparison location that you select in the Calculators.

India, Hyderabad Cost of Living January 2010

LOCATION: India is in Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan. Hyderabad is the capital city and most populous city of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

CAPITAL CITY: New Delhi

LARGEST CITY: Mumbai

CURRENCY: Indian Rupee (INR)

ECONOMY: Since 1991, India has gradually opened up its markets through economic reforms and reduced government controls on foreign trade and investment. India has a diverse economy which includes traditional village farming, modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries, and a multitude of services. These services are the major source of economic growth, accounting for more than half of India's output with less than one third of its labor force. The fundamental social, economic, and environmental problems are due to the huge and growing population. Hyderabad is the financial and economic capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh. The city is primarily a service city with a more diversified spectrum, including trade, transport, commerce, storage, communication etc. Hyderabad is known as the city of pearls, lakes and, in more recent times, for its IT companies.


Hyderabad has an overall cost of living index which equates it with low cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Hyderabad is currently ranked 193 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 300 international locations. 


LOCATION: India is in Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan. Hyderabad is the capital city and most populous city of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

CAPITAL CITY: New Delhi

LARGEST CITY: Mumbai

CURRENCY: Indian Rupee (INR)

ECONOMY: Since 1991, India has gradually opened up its markets through economic reforms and reduced government controls on foreign trade and investment. India has a diverse economy which includes traditional village farming, modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries, and a multitude of services. These services are the major source of economic growth, accounting for more than half of India's output with less than one third of its labor force. The fundamental social, economic, and environmental problems are due to the huge and growing population. Hyderabad is the financial and economic capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh. The city is primarily a service city with a more diversified spectrum, including trade, transport, commerce, storage, communication etc. Hyderabad is known as the city of pearls, lakes and, in more recent times, for its IT companies.


In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Hyderabad is ranked as a high degree of hardship location with a hardship index of 30%. 

Your exact customized hardship index premium for Hyderabad is based on the comparison location that you select in the Calculators.

India, Chennai Cost of Living January 2010

LOCATION: India is in Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan. Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is the fourth largest metropolitan area of India and the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Chennai is located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal.

CAPITAL CITY: New Delhi

LARGEST CITY: Mumbai

CURRENCY: Indian Rupee (INR)

ECONOMY: Since 1991, India has gradually opened up its markets through economic reforms and reduced government controls on foreign trade and investment. India has a diverse economy which includes traditional village farming, modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries, and a multitude of services. These services are the major source of economic growth, accounting for more than half of India's output with less than one third of its labor force. The fundamental social, economic, and environmental problems are due to the huge and growing population. Chennai has a diversified economic base anchored by the automobile, software services, hardware manufacturing, healthcare and financial services industries.

Chennai has an overall cost of living index which equates it with middle cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Chennai is currently ranked 152 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 276 international locations. The cost of living overview for each of the 13 Basket Groups is as follows:

Alcohol & Tobacco costs for alcoholic beverages such as alcohol at bar, beer, locally produced spirit, whiskey, and wine as well as tobacco products such as cigarettes is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 145 out of 276.

Clothing costs for clothing and footwear products such as business suits, casual clothing, childrens clothing and footwear, coats and hats, evening wear, shoe repairs, and underwear is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 264 out of 276.

Communication costs for various communication costs such as home telephone rental and call charges, internet connection and service provider fees, mobile / cellular phone contract and calls is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 272 out of 276.

Education costs such as creche / pre-school fees, high school / college fees, primary school fees, and tertiary study fees is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 177 out of 276.

Furniture & Appliance costs for furniture, household equipment and household appliances such as dvd player, fridge freezer, iron, kettle, toaster, microwave, light bulbs, television, vacuum cleaner, and washing machine is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 123 out of 276.

Grocery costs for food, non-alcoholic beverages and cleaning material items such as baby consumables, baked goods, baking, canned foods, cheese, cleaning products, dairy, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fruit juices, meat, oil & vinegars, pet food, pre-prepared meals, sauces, seafood, snacks, soft drinks, spices & herbs is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 219 out of 276.

Healthcare costs for general healthcare, medical and medical insurance such as general practitioner consultation rates, hospital private ward daily rate, non-prescription medicine, and private medical insurance / medical aid contributions is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 217 out of 276.

Household costs for housing, water, electricity, household gas, household fuels, local rates and residential taxes such as house / flat mortgage, house / flat rental, household electricity consumption, household gas / fuel consumption, household water consumption, and local property rates / taxes / levies is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 87 out of 276.

Miscellaneous costs related to stationary, linen and general goods and services such as domestic help, dry cleaning, linen, office supplies, newspapers and magazines, and postage stamps is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 237 out of 276.

Personal Care costs for personal care products and services such as cosmetics, hair care, moisturizer / sun block, nappies, pain relief tablets, toilet paper, toothpaste, and soap / shampoo / conditioner is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 253 out of 276.

Recreation and Culture costs such as books, camera film, cinema ticket, DVD and CDs, sports goods, and theatre tickets is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 247 out of 276.

Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotel costs such as business dinner, dinner at a restaurant (non fast food), hotel rates, take away drinks and snacks (fast food) is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 215 out of 276.

Transport costs for public transport, vehicle costs, vehicle fuel, vehicle insurance and vehicle maintenance such as hire purchase / lease of vehicle, petrol / diesel, public transport service maintenance, tires, vehicle Insurance, and vehicle purchase is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 44 out of 276.

Your exact customized cost of living index for Chennai is based on which of the above basket groups as well as the comparison location you select in the Calculators.

In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Chennai is ranked as a high degree of hardship location with a hardship index of 30%.

Your exact customized hardship index premium for Chennai is based on the comparison location that you select in the Calculators.

India, Calcutta Cost of Living January 2010

LOCATION: India is in Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan. Calcutta is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Calcutta is located in eastern India on the east bank of the River Hooghly. The broader Kolkata area, including the suburbs, has a population exceeding 15 million, making it India's third-largest city.

CAPITAL CITY: New Delhi

LARGEST CITY: Mumbai

CURRENCY: Indian Rupee (INR)

ECONOMY: Since 1991, India has gradually opened up its markets through economic reforms and reduced government controls on foreign trade and investment. India has a diverse economy which includes traditional village farming, modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries, and a multitude of services. These services are the major source of economic growth, accounting for more than half of India's output with less than one third of its labor force. The fundamental social, economic, and environmental problems are due to the huge and growing population. Kolkata is the main business, commercial and financial hub of eastern India and the northeastern states. It is home to the Calcutta Stock Exchange ? India's second-largest bourse. It is also a major commercial and military port, and the only city in the region to have an international airport. Once India's leading city and Capital, Kolkata experienced a steady economic decline in the years following India's independence due to the prevalent unstabilised political condition and rise in trade-unionism.

Calcutta has an overall cost of living index which equates it with middle cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Calcutta is currently ranked 159 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 276 international locations. The cost of living overview for each of the 13 Basket Groups is as follows:

Alcohol & Tobacco costs for alcoholic beverages such as alcohol at bar, beer, locally produced spirit, whiskey, and wine as well as tobacco products such as cigarettes is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 173 out of 276.

Clothing costs for clothing and footwear products such as business suits, casual clothing, childrens clothing and footwear, coats and hats, evening wear, shoe repairs, and underwear is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 262 out of 276.

Communication costs for various communication costs such as home telephone rental and call charges, internet connection and service provider fees, mobile / cellular phone contract and calls is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 273 out of 276.

Education costs such as creche / pre-school fees, high school / college fees, primary school fees, and tertiary study fees is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 181 out of 276.

Furniture & Appliance costs for furniture, household equipment and household appliances such as dvd player, fridge freezer, iron, kettle, toaster, microwave, light bulbs, television, vacuum cleaner, and washing machine is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 125 out of 276.

Grocery costs for food, non-alcoholic beverages and cleaning material items such as baby consumables, baked goods, baking, canned foods, cheese, cleaning products, dairy, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fruit juices, meat, oil & vinegars, pet food, pre-prepared meals, sauces, seafood, snacks, soft drinks, spices & herbs is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 228 out of 276.

Healthcare costs for general healthcare, medical and medical insurance such as general practitioner consultation rates, hospital private ward daily rate, non-prescription medicine, and private medical insurance / medical aid contributions is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 223 out of 276.

Household costs for housing, water, electricity, household gas, household fuels, local rates and residential taxes such as house / flat mortgage, house / flat rental, household electricity consumption, household gas / fuel consumption, household water consumption, and local property rates / taxes / levies is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 90 out of 276.

Miscellaneous costs related to stationary, linen and general goods and services such as domestic help, dry cleaning, linen, office supplies, newspapers and magazines, and postage stamps is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 246 out of 276.

Personal Care costs for personal care products and services such as cosmetics, hair care, moisturizer / sun block, nappies, pain relief tablets, toilet paper, toothpaste, and soap / shampoo / conditioner is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 256 out of 276.

Recreation and Culture costs such as books, camera film, cinema ticket, DVD and CDs, sports goods, and theatre tickets is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 256 out of 276.

Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotel costs such as business dinner, dinner at a restaurant (non fast food), hotel rates, take away drinks and snacks (fast food) is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 210 out of 276.

Transport costs for public transport, vehicle costs, vehicle fuel, vehicle insurance and vehicle maintenance such as hire purchase / lease of vehicle, petrol / diesel, public transport service maintenance, tires, vehicle Insurance, and vehicle purchase is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 51 out of 276.

Your exact customized cost of living index for Calcutta is based on which of the above basket groups as well as the comparison location you select in the Calculators.

In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Calcutta is ranked as a high degree of hardship location with a hardship index of 30%.

Your exact customized hardship index premium for Calcutta is based on the comparison location that you select in the Calculators.

India, Bangalore Cost of Living January 2010

LOCATION: India is in Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and Pakistan. Bangalore, is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka and is located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka. Bangalore is India's third most populous city.

CAPITAL CITY: New Delhi

LARGEST CITY: Mumbai

CURRENCY: Indian Rupee (INR)

ECONOMY: Since 1991, India has gradually opened up its markets through economic reforms and reduced government controls on foreign trade and investment. India has a diverse economy which includes traditional village farming, modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries, and a multitude of services. These services are the major source of economic growth, accounting for more than half of India's output with less than one third of its labor force. The fundamental social, economic, and environmental problems are due to the huge and growing population. Bangalore is a major economic centre in India. With an economic growth of over 10%, Bangalore is the fastest growing major metropolis in India. Bangalore is called the Silicon Valley of India because of the large number of Information Technology companies located in the city which contributed 33% of India's IT exports.

Bangalore has an overall cost of living index which equates it with low cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Bangalore is currently ranked 203 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 276 international locations. The cost of living overview for each of the 13 Basket Groups is as follows:

Alcohol & Tobacco costs for alcoholic beverages such as alcohol at bar, beer, locally produced spirit, whiskey, and wine as well as tobacco products such as cigarettes is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 189 out of 276.

Clothing costs for clothing and footwear products such as business suits, casual clothing, childrens clothing and footwear, coats and hats, evening wear, shoe repairs, and underwear is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 268 out of 276.

Communication costs for various communication costs such as home telephone rental and call charges, internet connection and service provider fees, mobile / cellular phone contract and calls is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 275 out of 276.

Education costs such as creche / pre-school fees, high school / college fees, primary school fees, and tertiary study fees is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 188 out of 276.

Furniture & Appliance costs for furniture, household equipment and household appliances such as dvd player, fridge freezer, iron, kettle, toaster, microwave, light bulbs, television, vacuum cleaner, and washing machine is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 167 out of 276.

Grocery costs for food, non-alcoholic beverages and cleaning material items such as baby consumables, baked goods, baking, canned foods, cheese, cleaning products, dairy, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fruit juices, meat, oil & vinegars, pet food, pre-prepared meals, sauces, seafood, snacks, soft drinks, spices & herbs is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 246 out of 276.

Healthcare costs for general healthcare, medical and medical insurance such as general practitioner consultation rates, hospital private ward daily rate, non-prescription medicine, and private medical insurance / medical aid contributions is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 245 out of 276.

Household costs for housing, water, electricity, household gas, household fuels, local rates and residential taxes such as house / flat mortgage, house / flat rental, household electricity consumption, household gas / fuel consumption, household water consumption, and local property rates / taxes / levies is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 130 out of 276.

Miscellaneous costs related to stationary, linen and general goods and services such as domestic help, dry cleaning, linen, office supplies, newspapers and magazines, and postage stamps is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 256 out of 276.

Personal Care costs for personal care products and services such as cosmetics, hair care, moisturizer / sun block, nappies, pain relief tablets, toilet paper, toothpaste, and soap / shampoo / conditioner is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 262 out of 276.

Recreation and Culture costs such as books, camera film, cinema ticket, DVD and CDs, sports goods, and theatre tickets is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 261 out of 276.

Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotel costs such as business dinner, dinner at a restaurant (non fast food), hotel rates, take away drinks and snacks (fast food) is relatively less expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 238 out of 276.

Transport costs for public transport, vehicle costs, vehicle fuel, vehicle insurance and vehicle maintenance such as hire purchase / lease of vehicle, petrol / diesel, public transport service maintenance, tires, vehicle Insurance, and vehicle purchase is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 62 out of 276.

Your exact customized cost of living index for Bangalore is based on which of the above basket groups as well as the comparison location you select in the Calculators.

In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Bangalore is ranked as a high degree of hardship location with a hardship index of 30%.

Your exact customized hardship index premium for Bangalore is based on the comparison location that you select in the Calculators.