When evaluating job offers across Indian cities, CTC alone doesn't tell the full story. The real metric that matters is disposable income — what's left after essential expenses. Here's a data-backed comparison for 2026.
Bangalore: The tech capital offers the highest average tech salaries (15-20% above national average). However, rent is among the highest: a 2BHK in a tech corridor (Whitefield, Sarjapur, Electronic City) costs ₹20K-40K/month. Traffic commute costs add ₹3K-8K/month. Food and lifestyle: moderate. Overall: excellent for high earners, but the cost has risen sharply in 2025-2026.
Hyderabad: Offers the best value proposition for tech professionals. Salaries are 5-10% below Bangalore but rent is 30-40% lower. A 2BHK in HITEC City or Gachibowli costs ₹12K-25K/month. Growing tech ecosystem with Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and many startups. Best salary-to-cost ratio among major tech cities.
Mumbai: Highest cost of living in India, primarily due to rent. A 2BHK in Andheri/Powai costs ₹30K-60K/month. Best for finance, media, and consulting careers where salaries compensate for costs. Tech salaries are comparable to Bangalore but higher living costs reduce disposable income by 15-25%.
Delhi-NCR (Gurgaon/Noida): Gurgaon offers high salaries (comparable to Bangalore for corporate/consulting). Noida is more affordable with a growing startup ecosystem. Combined, NCR offers diverse opportunities. Rent: ₹15K-35K for 2BHK in Gurgaon, ₹10K-20K in Noida.
Pune: Moderate salaries (10-15% below Bangalore) with significantly lower costs. Excellent quality of life, growing tech scene. Best for work-life balance seekers. Rent: ₹12K-22K for 2BHK in Hinjewadi/Kharadi.