In a country with more than 4,000 cities and a massive population of 140 crore, each city is unique with its commercial prospects, social infrastructure, and access to quality homes. As a potential homeowner, you must be on the lookout for the best city to live in India. So, where are you planning to purchase your new home? Prioritizing parameters like ease of navigation, availability of employment opportunities, security, and property prices, we have prepared a list of the 10 best cities to live in India. Besides, this list has been curated based on culture, education, healthcare, sustainability, economic strength, quality of lifestyle, and environmental aspects.
While calculating the livability in these cities, 25% weightage has been considered for culture and environment on one hand, and stability on the other. Health and infrastructure have 20% of weightage each, while 10% weightage has been provided to the quality of education.
Before checking out the list of the most livable cities in India, let’s understand what livability index is.
Every year, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs publishes a report called the East of Living Index. This report provides a detailed overview of the quality of lifestyle in different cities. The report is developed based on different factors, including culture, healthcare, environment, education, economic stability, and infrastructure.
Let’s understand the parameters considered in the ease of livability index in detail.
The stability of a city is calculated based on different information collected by the government. This includes statistics on crime that determine how safe the city is for its residents. With high crime rates, the cities score less in terms of stability, which also indicates the need for better law enforcement.
The accessibility to medical and healthcare services in a city determines the quality of treatment and healthcare residents will receive in a city. This includes the quality of service provided by private and public hospitals, availability of over-the-counter medicines, and doctors. Urban areas mostly have good healthcare systems.
This segment includes factors like air quality, water, weather, and parks, which are related to the environment. Under culture, you may consider religious and social rights, cultural diversity, consumer goods, and corruption.
The infrastructure in a city includes transport, roads, housing, airport, electricity, sewage, and telecommunication. In cities with better social infrastructure, property prices tend to be higher. This is due to the enhanced access to such facilities and the ease of transportation to the desired areas.
The quality of academic education provided by schools, colleges, and universities in a city constitutes this parameter. The availability of libraries and the quality of education in private and public schools largely define the quality of lifestyle in a city.
Our list of the top 10 most livable cities in India has been developed based on these parameters.
Bangalore is one of the best cities in India in terms of livability. Currently, the country’s startup capital is at the top of the list, considering its high-quality social lifestyle and employment opportunities.
The city has a robust IT infrastructure, while reputed developers are coming up with sophisticated projects for residents. With a population of 8.4 million, Bangalore is the third-largest city in India in terms of population. Some of the prominent localities in Bangalore include Lal Bagh, Cubbon Park, Bannerghatta National Park, and Church Street.
The property price per square metre in Bangalore ranges from INR 10,256 to INR 14,001. Some of the prime localities to purchase a property in this city include Basavanagudi, Indira Nagar, Jayanagar, Koramangala, and Rajaji Nagar.
Among the prominent academic institutes in Pune, you have Bishop Cotton Boys' School, National Public School, and Mallya Aditi International School. For higher education, residents have access to prestigious institutions like the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), and Bangalore University. The city boasts top-notch healthcare facilities, including Apollo Hospital, Fortis Hospital, and Manipal Hospital. Residents in Bangalore also enjoy access to popular shopping centres and malls including Phoenix Marketcity, UB City Mall, and Forum Mall.
Also Read | Top 20 Residential Areas to Live in Bangalore
Pune (Score: 66.27)
Pune closely follows Bangalore in terms of livability. It finds its place in the second position on the list of 10 best cities to live in India. This city is also referred to as the College Town of India, it houses several established academic institutions, including schools, colleges, and universities. It also has a number of centres of vocational education. Pune spans 331.26 square kilometres, with a population of 3.1 million. After Mumbai, Pune is the second-largest city in Maharashtra. Some of the prominent landmarks in Pune include Aga Khan Palace, Shaniwar, Osho Ashram, Lal Mahal, and Sinhagad Road.
Some of the top localities to purchase a property in Pune include Koregaon Park, Kalyani Nagar, Aundh, and Model Colony. In these popular localities, property prices range from INR 8,847 per square feet to INR 18,042 per square feet.
Among the established academic institutes in Pune, you have The Bishop's School, Symbiosis International School, and Delhi Public School. Pune is a hub for higher education, with institutions such as the University of Pune, Symbiosis International University, and Fergusson College accessible from its residential zones. World-class healthcare facilities are available at Ruby Hall Clinic, Jehangir Hospital, and Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital. A delightful shopping experience awaits residents in Pune, with shopping malls like Phoenix Market City and Seasons Mall. If you love traditional shopping, check out places like Laxmi Road and Hong Kong Lane.
Residents looking for the best city to live in India should check out Ahmedabad. It stands in the third position in terms of the best cities in India. With a population of 5.6 million, Ahmedabad has witnessed a significant economic growth in recent decades. In terms of economic growth, it has surpassed many other cities in India. Among the prominent places in Ahmedabad, you have Sabarmati Ashram, Jami Masjid, and Hutheesing Jain Temple.
Some of the prominent localities in Ahmedabad include Thaltej, SG Highway, Science City Road, Ambli, and Prahlad Nagar. Based on location, property prices range from INR 4,200 per square foot to INR 11,000 per square foot.
Some of the reputed academic institutes in Ahmedabad include Delhi Public School and Eklavya School. The city is also home to institutions like the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA). Among the established healthcare centres in the city, you have Apollo Hospital and Shalby Hospitals.
Chennai (Score: 62.61)
Chennai finds its place in the list of top 10 most livable cities in India, thanks to its strong social and commercial infrastructures. This is the largest city in Tamil Nadu. It is often referred to as Detroit of India due to the presence of several automobile companies in the city. With a population of more than 7 million, it continues to attract millennials and working professionals. Some of the most popular places in Chennai include the Marina Beach, MGR Film City, the Government Museum, Vivekananda House, and many more.
Among the best places to reside in Chennai, you have Adyar, Anna Nagar, Besant Nagar, and Mylapore. Property prices in Chennai range from INR 8,000 per square foot to INR 21,000 per square foot. Among the prominent academic institutions in Chennai, you have DAV Boys Senior Secondary School, Loyola College, Women's Christian College, Presidency College, Stella Maris College and Madras Christian College. Some of the prominent healthcare institutes in Chennai include Apollo Hospitals, Fortis Hospital, Kauvery Hospital, Sri Ramachandra Medical Centre and Chennai Medical College Hospital and Research Centre.
Known as the Diamond city, Surat is currently one of the most liveable cities in India. In the commercial front, it is one of the most rapidly growing cities in India. With a population of around 4.4 million, Surat has witnessed a significant development in the real estate industry in recent years. As per the record of 2011, this was the 8th largest city in India, and the second largest in Gujarat.
Some of the prominent places in Gujarat are the Dutch Garden, Hajira Village, Ambika Niketan temple, Dumas Beach, Botanical Garden, and the castle in Surat. Compared to many other cities, properties in Surat are much more affordable. Among the prominent places to reside in the city, you have Vesu, PAL, Palanpur, Adajan, and others. Property prices in these localities range between INR 4,100 and INR 5,900 per square foot. Important academic institutes in the city include Surat International School, Delhi Public School, Auro University School of Business, Lourdes Convent High School, and Bhulabhai Vanmalibhai Patel School. Among the centres of higher education, it has Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Government Medical College, Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT), Auro University, and C. K. Pithawala College of Engineering and Technology.
Navi Mumbai was once developed as a satellite township in Maharashtra. Currently, it has emerged as one of the best cities in India to live in. The city has a population of 1.2 million, and is well-planned. Residents here can seamlessly get across to Mumbai through a dense network of roads. Besides, you can access the commercial perks of Mumbai while residing here. Among the prominent places in Navi Mumbai, you have Wonders Park, Nexus Seawoods, Iskcon Kharhar, and Jewels of Navi Mumbai.
Prominent localities in Navi Mumbai to purchase a property in include Kharhar, Panvel, Vashi, Kamothe, and Airoli. Property prices per square foot in Navi Mumbai range from INR 4,230 to INR 17,940. Some of the established academic institutes in Navi Mumbai include Apeejay School, DPS Navi Mumbai, Ryan International School, St. Joseph's High School, and Bal Bharati Public School. Prominent hospitals include Apollo Hospitals, MGM New Bombay Hospital, Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Reliance Hospital, and Cloudnine Hospital. Residents can easily access prominent shopping centres and markets like the Inorbit Mall, Raghuleela Mall, Seawoods Grand Central Mall, Palm Beach Galleria and Vashi Central.
Coimbatore is one of the most livable cities in India, according to the ease of Living Index. There are plenty of natural attractions in the city. Coimbatore has a population of 1.6 million. Investing in real estate in the city will be a good decision, considering the high return potential. Among the prominent localities in the city, you have RS Puram, Saibaba Colony, and Gandhipuram.
Prominent academic institutions in Coimbatore include Coimbatore Public School, GD Matriculation Higher Secondary School, PSG Public Schools, Coimbatore Institute of Technology (CIT), PSG College of Arts and Science, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Sri Krishna College of Engineering and Technology, and Government Arts College. Some of the established healthcare institutes in the city are G. Kuppuswamy Naidu Memorial Hospital, PSG Hospitals, Kovai Medical Center and Hospital (KMCH), Sri Ramakrishna Hospital, and Aravind Eye Hospital. Residents can enjoy a diverse shopping experience at Brookefields Mall, Fun Republic Mall, Prozone Mall, Fun City Mall, and PSG Tech Park Mall.
When you check out the best city to live in India, you surely can’t miss out Vadodara. This is another city from Gujarat to make its name into the list. It is known for its grand architecture, while the real estate industry in the city looks promising.
Prominent localities in Vadodara include Waghodia Road, Gotri, and Manjalpur. On average, property prices in Vadodara range from INR 2750 to INR 3950. Among the reputed academic institutes in the city, you have Delhi Public School Vadodara, Bright Day School, Baroda High School, Navrachana International School, and Urmi School. Established colleges and centres of higher education in the city are The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Parul University, Faculty of Technology and Engineering, Sigma Institute of Engineering, and Baroda Medical College. Established healthcare institutes include Surya Hospital, Sterling Hospital, Baroda Heart Institute and Research Center, Baroda Hospital, and Dhiraj Hospital. Plenty of shopping and entertainment opportunities are available for residents at Inorbit Mall Vadodara, Centre Square Mall, Seven Seas Mall, Eva Mall, and VR Surat.
Indore (Score: 58.58)
Indore, with a population of around 2 million, is one of the top 10 most livable cities in India. Reputed builders have come up with properties in different configurations for residents in Indore. From affordable homes to luxury properties, you can choose from several property categories. As the property rates are rising in Indore, many investors are booking their homes now.
In Indore, some of the reputed academic institutes include The Emerald Heights International School, Daly College, Choithram School, St. Raphael's Higher Secondary School, and New Digamber Public School. Indian Institute of Management Indore (IIM Indore), Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Prestige Institute of Management and Research, Medicaps University, and Holkar Science College are some of the established colleges in the city. The city has several healthcare centres, including Choithram Hospital and Research Centre, Bombay Hospital Indore, Apollo Hospitals, CHL Hospitals, and Greater Kailash Hospital. Residents can enjoy their time shopping at Treasure Island Mall, C21 Mall, Malhar Mega Mall, Mangal City Mall, and Indore Central.
An extension of Mumbai city, Greater Mumbai is one of the best cities in India to live with your family. It has a great social infrastructure and offers lots of commercial prospects to its residents. Some of the prominent localities in Greater Mumbai are Juhu, Malabar Hill, Bandra West, and Tardeo.
Property prices in Greater Mumbai are pretty high, ranging between INR 29,000 to INR 69,800 per square foot. Important places in this city include Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Elephanta Caves, and Juhu Beach. Important schools located close to the gated communities include Jamnabai Narsee School, Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Cathedral and John Connon School, Bombay Scottish School, and Podar International School. Prominent centers of higher education include the University of Mumbai, Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics, St. Xavier's College, K. J. Somaiya College of Engineering, and Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). World-class healthcare facilities are available at Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Bombay Hospital, Breach Candy Hospital, and Fortis Hospital. Residents looking for an upscale shopping experience can get across to High Street Phoenix, R City Mall, Oberoi Mall, Inorbit Mall, and Infinity Mall.
Now that you know the names of 10 best cities to live in India, you can explore the top localities in each city. If you are looking for a new home in one of these cities, it will be a great idea to invest early. This way, you can make the most of the potential that the real estate industry holds for you. While we have listed the most livable cities in India in this guide, you can check out properties in other locations for affordable homes.
