Pros and Cons of Moving to Mumbai

Mumbai is India’s wealthiest city, where the commercial, cinema and fashion industries swirl together in a hive of activity. Hot, humid and fizzing with ambition, Mumbai's action stops for nothing and there’s no better place to get ahead in the country.

Even so, expats should think carefully before deciding to live here as this megacity does have its drawbacks. Below is our list of pros and cons of living in Mumbai, which may offer some useful insight. 

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Cost of living in Mumbai

Given its large size, the cost of living in India varies considerably, but many new arrivals are surprised to find that living costs in major cities such as Mumbai can be pricey.

The 2021 Mercer Cost of Living Survey ranked Mumbai 78th out of the 209 cities studied. That said, expats who negotiate a lucrative relocation package in Mumbai can often afford luxuries that they wouldn’t be able to at home, such as domestic services, chauffeurs and having home-cooked lunches delivered to the office.

+ PRO: Healthcare is affordable

Treatment is generally good and relatively affordable at private clinics. We do recommend expats get comprehensive health insurance, though.

- CON: Rent is high

Rent in Mumbai is expensive for a few reasons. One is that, as a peninsula, it’s surrounded by water on three sides and doesn’t have much space for land development. Demand is high, and accommodation therefore costly.

Another reason is that there is an insatiable demand for accommodation in the city, as immigrants from India and the world look to capitalise on the many employment opportunities on offer. Landlords are aware of this and, accordingly, hold to high prices. 

- CON: Expensive groceries

Groceries are more expensive than in India’s other big cities. By way of comparison, a monthly grocery bill will be between 7 and 12 percent cheaper in cities such as Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai. 

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Working in Mumbai

Expats considering working in Mumbai can look forward to a city driven by growth. Mumbai's economy contributes to India's GDP and accounts for a significant percentage of the country’s foreign trade.

+ PRO: The economy is attractive to expats

Being the commercial capital of India, Mumbai is the seat of some important financial institutions. Many international companies have a presence here and often look to recruit expats, creating opportunities for foreign job seekers with the right qualifications. Mumbai's finance, engineering and design sectors, especially, are major players in the international community. 

Compensation for expats in Mumbai is also among the highest in the world, right alongside cities such as Shanghai, Zurich and San Francisco. 

- CON: Competitive job market

Mumbai is a city of opportunity and, because of this, it attracts many job applicants, so competition for positions is fierce. An unfortunate byproduct of this is that people are under immense pressure to put in long hours. Many people only start work at around 10am but won’t leave until well into the night. Twelve-hour working days and six-day weeks are fairly common. 

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Lifestyle in Mumbai

Mumbai boasts a good variety of leisure and lifestyle activities to entertain just about any expat’s idea of a good time. From restaurants that showcase the country’s regional cuisines, to bustling marketplaces and annual events, there’s a surprisingly large selection of nightlife and entertainment venues to take advantage of. 

- CON: Commuting can be frustrating

The city’s roads are incredibly congested and poorly maintained, and the local railway – Mumbai’s most popular alternative to driving – have its own problems of reliability and severe overcrowding. Getting around in the city can be chaotic. 

+ PRO: Few language barriers

Though Mumbai is home to more than 20 languages, English is widely spoken and expats can easily get by without taking classes in the official language, Marathi. For this reason, adjusting to life in Mumbai is a little less complicated than it might be in other cities.

+ PRO: Endless culture and entertainment opportunities

Mumbai has world-class colonial-era architecture as well as intriguing bazaars, majestic temples and some of the best restaurants and nightlife in India. The city’s theatres, museums, art galleries and music festivals are worth a visit too.

On the traditional side, Mumbai is blessed with a plethora of festivals throughout the year. These include Vaisakhi, the Sikh and Hindu New Year festival (which is noted for its martial arts performances, joyful processions and acts of charity), and Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights. Christmas, Easter, Eid al-Fitr and some Zoroastrian festivals are other highlights on the annual calendar. 

+ PRO: Wide variety of food options

Mumbai began as a humble fishing village and has grown into a globally-renowned megalopolis. Generations of immigrants from all over the region have flocked to the coastal city and have brought their food traditions with them. Today, Mumbai’s sumptuous, intricately-spiced menu has Muslim, Maharashtrian, Goan, Coastal, South Indian, Parsi and Gujarati influences.