Inspired by Slumdog Millionaire: what would be the bare minimum monthly income needed for a person to live in Mumbai and not live in squalid, crushing poverty? IOW, how much would it cost to live in Mumbai if one had an apartment (however small, crowded, and disheveled) that had electricity, running water, and a lock on the door, enough money to feed himself, and enough money to get to work on public transportation?
On the minimum scale : for one person in a O.K locality.
USD = 51 Indian rupees as on today.
Rent on shared basis ( if applicable) - Rs 2000 includes monthly charges for common expenses for the apartment complex.
Food - Rs 2500 ( assuming mostly meals are cooked at home,water charges included )
Transportation : 1500 ( home to train station and train station to work place by by bus,occassional rikshaw travel, and a monthly rail pass)
Electricity charges - Rs 750 ( TV and a fridge assumed ).
It may vastly vary from suburb to suburb.
So give or take, about $150 American.
Not bad. I was in India in '05. IIRC the exchange was 55 Rupees to a USD. I was ecstatic over all the goodies I could get for my lowly buck.
After there I went to London and my dollar got raped!