Move to India
2 cities, one country, zero sugar-coating. Residency paths, real costs, and whether the government will leave you alone.
India at a Glance
1BR rent / mo
Democracy index
Homicides / 100k
English level
How to actually stay
Visas, residency, and the paperwork mountain between you and a lease
Visa routes we know about
Can your partner work?
Because 'trailing spouse' shouldn't mean 'trailing income'
Dependent visa does not include work rights. Spouse must obtain own employment visa through an employer.
Source: official guidance
Where to land in India
2 cities ranked by Livability Score — the one number that rolls up rent, safety, democracy, and internet
Bangalore
69/100Goa
68/100Compare cities in India
What it costs to exist
Real monthly numbers, not what the expat blog says
$324
priciest 1BR / mo
Rent + food + transport + utilities, averaged across 2 cities. No gym membership, no brunch budget.
How rich is everyone, really
GDP, taxes, and other numbers politicians argue about
$11,160
GDP per capita
22%
Corporate tax
4.2%
Unemployment
5.0%
Inflation
Low inequality — the wealth gap won't slap you in the face daily.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, press freedom, and whether you should use a VPN
7.29/10
🏚️ Flawed democracy
62
/100Freedom House score
#115 of 163
Global Peace Index
#151
Press freedom rank
Is India safe?
Homicide rates and the stats that matter for sleeping at night
Fine. Know your neighborhoods and don't be an idiot at 3am.
Safest tracked city: Bangalore (2.8 per 100k)
Can you order coffee?
The language situation, no sugarcoating
Hindi
Primary language
Low
English proficiency (#74 globally)
English won't carry you far here. Learning Hindi isn't optional — it's the price of admission.
❓ Moving to India — Common Questions
What is the best city to move to in India?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Bangalore ranks #1 in India with a score of 69/100. City-centre rent starts around $324/month.
How much does it cost to live in India?▾
City-centre 1-bedroom rent ranges from $167 to $324/month across our 2 tracked cities. Average monthly solo expenses are around $386.
Is India a democracy?▾
India scores 7.29/10 on the EIU Democracy Index and is classified as a "Flawed democracy." It ranks #115 of 163 on the Global Peace Index.
Is India safe to live in?▾
The average homicide rate across our tracked cities in India is 2.8 per 100,000 people. That's within the normal range for developed countries.