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Mumbai
#108 of 124
Asia

Mumbai

India

Salary & Cost of Living

View purchasing power ranking

How do salaries and expenses in Mumbai compare to San Francisco?

Purchasing Power Comparison

An engineer in Mumbai is 69% worse off vs in San Francisco

This shows how far a software engineer's salary goes in Mumbai compared to San Francisco, taking into account both salary differences and cost of living.

Median Salary
$20,493
-$252K (-92%) vs San Francisco
Based on 868 data points from levels.fyi
Net Salary
$13,751
-$159K (-92%) vs San Francisco
Tax Rate: 33%

Community Insights

New

Mumbai represents a polarization of the developer experience: it is the financial powerhouse of India offering lucrative roles in fintech, but it demands a steep price in quality of life. While the data shows it is the #8 most affordable city globally, for locals, it is notoriously the most expensive in India, particularly regarding real estate affordability (#123 globally). The city functions with a relentless efficiency—trains run on time, power doesn't cut out, and the streets are safe—but the population density and cost of housing force a compromise on living space that few other cities require. It is a city that trades comfort for opportunity.

Resident Sentiment

The sentiment is a classic love-hate relationship. Residents often complain bitterly about the "spirit of Mumbai" being a euphemism for struggling through broken infrastructure and rain. Transplants from Bangalore or Hyderabad often suffer sticker shock at the rent-to-space ratio. However, there is a deep appreciation for the city's professionalism, the safety that allows for late-night freedom, and the undeniable energy that makes other cities feel "slow" by comparison. Most admit it's a hard place to live, but an even harder place to leave.

Living Environment

Weather•Safety•Pollution•Events

A quick look at climate, safety, pollution, and tech community compared to San Francisco.

Rankings

Cost of Living

Top 7%

#9

of 124 cities

23/100

Current value (lower is better)

Community Events

Middle of the pack

#56

of 124 cities

6 events on luma

Current value

Safety Index

Middle of the pack

#61

of 124 cities

55.8/100

Current value

Housing Affordability

View affordability ranking

How affordable is housing for a software engineer in Mumbai compared to San Francisco?

Avg. Property Price
$4,853 / m²
52% cheaper than San Francisco
View detailed property prices on Numbeo

Salary Converter

Enter your annual gross salary (before taxes) to see what you would need to earn in Mumbai to maintain the same standard of living.

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Do you have kids?

Cost of Living
74% cheaper than San Francisco
View detailed cost breakdown on Numbeo

Top Paying Companies in Mumbai

Dream11 logo
Dream11
Fynd logo
Fynd
JPMorgan Chase logo
JPMorgan Chase

The Good

  • Fintech & Banking Hub: As India's financial capital, Mumbai offers superior opportunities in fintech, banking, and high-frequency trading firms compared to other tech hubs.
  • Public Transport Connectivity: The extensive local train and growing metro network is a lifeline, offering reliable (though crowded) connectivity that beats the traffic gridlock of cities like Bangalore.
  • Safety: Widely regarded as one of the safest cities in India, especially for women, with a vibrant nightlife and active streets late into the night.
  • Cosmopolitan Culture: A true melting pot with a professional work culture, diverse social scene, and a fast-paced "hustle" vibe that many find energizing.
  • Reliable Infrastructure: Residents report better power supply and less water scarcity compared to Bangalore, alongside generally more disciplined traffic.

The Bad

  • Exorbitant Rent: Housing is shockingly expensive; you pay premium prices for tiny apartments (often old) that would be considered closets in other cities.
  • Brutal Commute: While connected, the local trains operate at crush load capacity, and road traffic during peak hours can result in 1-2 hour one-way commutes.
  • Monsoon Struggles: The heavy rains frequently cause severe waterlogging and train disruptions, bringing the city to a standstill and causing mold/dampness issues in homes.
  • Humidity & Pollution: The coastal humidity is oppressive year-round, and air quality is often poor (Rank #117 for pollution), leading to health concerns.
  • Lack of Open Space: The concrete jungle offers very few parks or green spaces, leading to a feeling of being "caged" in vertical slums.

The Verdict

You'll love it if...

The ambitious fintech specialist or high-frequency trading engineer who prioritizes career growth and salary over living space. It is ideal for those who thrive in high-energy environments, value public safety and nightlife, and are willing to embrace the "hustle" culture. If you are a young professional who plans to spend more time in the office and social spaces than at home, you will fit right in.

Skip it if...

Software engineers seeking work-life balance or a spacious home. If you want a backyard, hate crowds, or are sensitive to humidity and pollution, Mumbai will be a struggle. Those used to the sprawling tech campuses and large apartments of Bangalore or Pune will likely feel claustrophobic and frustrated by the tiny, expensive living quarters.

Updated 11/30/2025

Weather1.5/10-83% vs San Francisco
Safety56+42%
Pollution83+69%
Events6-88%
1.5/10TechCities weather score vs 8.7/10 in San Francisco

0–10 composite (higher is better) combining temperature comfort, sunshine hours, rainy-day count, and humid days. See methodology for weighting and data sources.

Weather snapshot

Average High
31°C(vs 19°C in San Francisco)
Average Low
24°C(vs 12°C in San Francisco)
Sunshine Hours
2,584h/yr-478h/yr(-16%)
Hottest Month High
33°C(vs 22°C in San Francisco)
Coldest Month Low
19°C(vs 8°C in San Francisco)
Rainy Days
90/yr+41/yr(+85%)

Community & Quality

Mumbai community pulse

Mumbai has 6 Luma events listed.

88% fewer events than San Francisco.

Tax Rate

Middle of the pack

#74

of 124 cities

33%

Current value (lower is better)

Purchasing Power

Bottom 14%

#108

of 124 cities

Net Income

Bottom 8%

#115

of 124 cities

$13,751/yr

Current value

Comfortable Weather

Bottom 7%

#117

of 124 cities

15/100 weather score

Current value

Pollution Score

Bottom 7%

#117

of 124 cities

83.2/100

Current value (lower is better)

Home Affordability

Bottom 2%

#123

of 124 cities

≈28.2 yrs to buy 80m²

Current value

SWE Affordability
28.2 years
23.6 years longer than San Francisco
Muggy Days
254/yr+254/yr(+126850%)
Cloud Cover
43%(vs 34% in San Francisco)