Seoul vs Lucknow Cost of Living Comparison
Executive summary: Lucknow leads on CPI (13.4 vs 71.6, NYC=100), Lucknow leads on rent index, and Seoul leads on purchasing power. Validate neighbourhood rents before relocating — city-wide winners can reverse at district scale.
Overall Cost Winner
Lucknow
Lower overall CPI; largest measurable gaps: Transport (99% gap, Lucknow ahead); Utilities (99% gap, Lucknow ahead).
Monthly Cost Difference
Estimated monthly housing+utilities+internet basket is about $1,660 lower in Lucknow than in Seoul (~91% gap; converted via exchange rates).
Estimated monthly difference: $1,660 (favoring Lucknow).
Category Winners
| Category | Winner | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Overall CPI | Lucknow | CPI 13.4 vs 71.6 (lower is better) |
| Housing | Lucknow | Rent index 4 vs 47.9 (lower is better) |
| Food | Lucknow | Groceries index 16.5 vs 92.5 (lower is better) |
| Transport | Lucknow | One-way ticket 26.64 vs 2117.06 (lower is better) |
| Utilities | Lucknow | Utilities (85m²) 668 vs 132204 (lower is better) |
| Internet | Lucknow | Internet 876.75 vs 64335.6 (lower is better) |
| Restaurants | Lucknow | Restaurant index 12 vs 68.5 (lower is better) |
| Salary | Seoul | Avg net salary 11003016 vs 284735 (higher is better) |
| Purchasing Power | Seoul | PP index 128.6 vs 55 (higher is better) |
Biggest Difference
Transport: Lucknow leads with a 99% gap.
One-way ticket 26.64 vs 2117.06 (lower is better)
Quick Decision
- Students: Lucknow — Lower housing / rent index (92% gap).
- Families: Lucknow — Housing is typically the largest household line; rent index favors Lucknow; purchasing power favors Seoul.
- Remote Workers: Lucknow — Everyday cost index (CPI) favors Lucknow (~81% gap).
- Budget Living: Lucknow — Lowest overall consumer-price index in this pair.
Key Takeaways
- Lucknow is the overall cost winner on CPI (~81% lower everyday-cost index than Seoul).
- Housing: Lucknow leads on rent index (92% gap).
- Food / groceries: Lucknow is lower (82% gap).
- Purchasing power: Seoul scores higher (57% gap).
- Largest category gap: Transport (99%), favoring Lucknow.
- Sample monthly basket (1BR + utilities + internet) is ~$1,660 cheaper in Lucknow.
Analysis
Detailed breakdown uses only paired indices: CPI 71.6/13.4, rent 47.9/4, purchasing power 128.6/55. Category winners can diverge — a city may win rent while losing CPI. No GDP, climate, or industry claims are invented for either city.
Trust & data transparency
Last updated: 2026-08-20
Data Sources
This page uses CityCost index inputs. Platform sources (see also Data sources):
- Regional
- Real
On-page labels for this view: Regional · Real.
Methodology
Each indexed city is associated with a reference basket of common living costs (for example rent, groceries samples, transport tickets, utilities, restaurant meals, and net salary where available). From those items, the platform derives relative indices such as CPI, rent, groceries, restaurants, and local purchasing power, using New York City = 100 as the familiar baseline convention for relative comparison.