For a city that never sleeps, Mumbai is home to around 22 million people and now, the newest member— you! Also known as India’s financial capital, the city offers a blend of economic opportunities and surrounds you with unique urban energy. With its bustling business district and world-class infrastructure, Mumbai calls out to professionals, tourists, and students around the globe. However, you might wonder how to rent house in Mumbai, especially since there’s so much about the city being the 21st most expensive one in Asia. If you’re ready to move and don’t know where to start, here’s a complete guide to getting you started with your journey in Mumbai.

Average Cost of Living in Mumbai

When you want to rent a home in Mumbai, you should consider the cost of living in Mumbai. The cost of living index in Mumbai is 29.28, which translates to a higher index when compared to 5.77 for Bengaluru. On average, the monthly cost of living for a single person is Rs. 35,000 without the rent. Here’s a quick rundown of the cost of living and the average breakdown to survive in Mumbai.

Where to Stay in Mumbai? 

Mumbai, the metropolis of India, offers a diverse range of neighbourhoods to suit different lifestyles and preferences. Even though it may seem difficult to find a house for rent in Mumbai as a young professional or a student, choosing the right area to stay in is essential. Below, we mention a few tips you can follow:

Daily Commute

Mumbai might be blessed with incredible connectivity throughout the entire city with the metro and local transit line, but it’s always a good idea to find a rental house in Mumbai less than 5 km away from your workplace. Especially since the city is always jostling with people all around the clock, it’s ideal to find housing options that are easily accessible, convenient and tick all the right boxes.

Area and Locality

Mumbai is one of the most crowded cities with localities ranging from a local chawl to sophisticated gated communities. It all depends on your budget and adaptability to adjust to your surroundings. Look for an apartment that is preferably closer to work. Be prepared for smaller spaces though!

#MojoTip: Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Mumbaikars are generally warm, friendly and very approachable. Here’s an icebreaker: Tumhee kashe aahaat? (‘How are you?’ in Marathi)

Convenience Stores and Amenities

It’s always a good idea to scout for convenience stores and significant places around your potential accommodation to get a good sense of the locality. Mumbai also comes with the usual perks of a Metropolitan city. Use apps like BigBasket, Zepto, Blinkit to make the most of your new life in the city.

If you’re a foodie, Mumbai will be an instant favourite. The city is home to some mouth-watering street food and small food joints, which should be very helpful if you’re not in the mood to cook. Be warned though, Vada Pav will soon be an emotion!

Leisure and Recreational

If you’ve ever heard of Mumbai as the ‘city that never sleeps’, it’s true! Commuting in Mumbai is easy with local trains running from 4:00 AM to 1:30 AM. Don’t be surprised to see people returning from work at 2 AM as well as people playing badminton on the streets at the same time!

If you’re not chilling at home with a beer and pizza after a long week of work, you’ll appreciate unwinding at Marine Drive, Carter Road, Powai Lake, Amarsons Park or Girgaon Chowpatty. If you’re interested in the nightlife, you won’t be disappointed either. Mumbai is always dazzling with parties at places like Trilogy (Juhu), and Toto’s Garage (Bandra) among other happening places. You’ll also find live music shows, open mics, lounge bars, and theme-based bars among other crowd-favourites.

How Do I Find Houses on Rent in Mumbai? 

It’s hard to rent a house in Mumbai without brokerage and paying an exorbitant amount. Brokers might be the real-estate ninjas, but the rent is often more than the cost of living in Mumbai per month!

While searching for houses on the internet might return a thousand results, you can also consider different options to narrow your search down. We’ve put together a list of all the platforms and forums that will help you get a head start. Get on, then!

Keep an Eye on Facebook Pages and Groups

If you’re a regular user of Facebook, you’ll find yourself familiar with Facebook groups and pages. If you aren’t already part of these groups on Facebook, sign up and don’t forget to turn on post notifications to stay on track with upcoming posts.

  1. Flat and Flatmates (Mumbai Chapter)
  2. Flats and Flatmates (Mumbai)
  3. Flat and Flatmates (Mumbai & Navi Mumbai)
  4. Flats and Flatmates Mumbai
  5. Flat and Flatmates Mumbai
  6. Flats and Flatmates – Mumbai

Don’t Forget to Check Apps & Online Platforms

If you’re browsing the fifth page of your search result, you already know how futile it has been. Luckily, here are a few top apps and platforms to help you find the house of your dreams.

  1. NestAway
  2. Housing.com
  3. Commonfloor
  4. Makaan
  5. 99acres
  6. Magicbricks
  7. Quikr Homes

How Much Does It Cost to Rent House in Mumbai?

Rent a House in Mumbai

The cost of renting a house and the average cost of living in Mumbai may differ from person to person, but the location of your house is something that will set the tone and lifestyle for your entire monthly budget.  Mumbai might be a single city but the real estate is scattered and broken down over numerous parts. Thus, it makes sense to stay close to your office to cut down on commute time and expenses. However, housing rentals will be higher if you’re closer to central Mumbai. If you’re prepared to travel, there’s a better chance of getting a decent 1BHK for around ₹13-28k in an average locality like Thane and ₹9,000–₹12,000 in Vasai. Here’s a list of places with approximate rentals as per region and budget to give you an edge on your house-hunting!

As Per the Apartment Range 

Here’s a basic idea of apartment rent and sizes in Mumbai. Keep in mind though, that moving into a 1BHK in Central Mumbai might be more expensive than renting a 2BHK in Navi Mumbai.

  • 1BHK – ₹40-60k
  • 2BHK – ₹50k-1.3 lac
  • 3BHK – ₹71k-2.8 lac

As per budget

Mumbai is for everyone. From 5k and above, you’ll find plenty of housing accommodations that will cater to all budgets. PGs, Chawls, apartments or gated communities; choose wisely!

  • ₹40k and above – Borivali, Andheri, Bandra
  • ₹30k and above – Jogeshwari, Goregaon, Malad
  • ₹20k and above – Ghatkopar, Dadar, Sion, Mulund
  • ₹10k and above – Thane, Dombivili, Kalyan, Nerul, Koperkhaine
  • ₹5k and above – Kalyan, Dombivli, Ambarnath, Badlapur, Ulhasnagar

As per region

Rent a House in Mumbai

The Mumbai local train line network is one of the best-connected train lines in the country. If you’re looking to know Mumbai better, there’s nothing like understanding the local train route. To understand home rentals better, we’ve categorized the following as per the demographics of the train routes to affordable housing options around.

Central line

The Central line starts at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus or CST (Victoria Terminus) and converges into two different ends to Kasara (towards Nashik) and Khopoli (towards Pune). The rent decreases from Kurla towards Thane. Look for a place in Thane, Kalyan, Dahisar, or Virar for the convenience of accommodation, food, and connectivity. If you’re working around in the CST area, opt for Sanpada or Vashi.

Western line

The Western line starts at Churchgate and follows the city’s west coast to Dahanu Road (towards Ahmedabad). The rent decreases Andheri towards Harbour. Look for places in Sion, Vikhroli, and Ghatkopar for ideal and affordable housing options. If you’re working around Andheri or Powai, opt for Airoli that connects to the Eastern Express Highway by road.

Harbour line

Like the Central line, the Harbour line starts at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Victoria Terminus) and branches off at Wadala Road, and runs to Andheri and Panvel through Navi Mumbai. Except for Chembur, most options at Harbour line are affordable.

Navi Mumbai

While Navi Mumbai doesn’t have a central train station, you can still travel from Churchgate to Navi Mumbai via the Harbour line from Andheri. If you’re looking for housing options in Navi Mumbai, you’ll find suitable and affordable options in Ghansoli, Nerul, Panvel and Kamothe.

Western Mumbai and South Mumbai

Also known as SoBo (South Bombay), South Bombay consists of areas like Fort, Colaba, Malabar Hill, Nariman Point, Marine Lines, Mahalaxmi, and Tardeo to name a few. While SoBo has a certain old-world charm, the neighborhoods are posh, costly and will set you back at least by 1L for an unfurnished 1BHK.

Upcoming places to stay

For a city of dreams that never sleeps, Mumbai is easily one of the most urbanized and populated cities in India. So much so, that there is no place for vertical or horizontal expansion anymore. Enter Navi Mumbai.

Unlike the main city, Navi Mumbai is a strategically-planned city. It’s no surprise that Navi Mumbai is one of India’s emerging office hub spaces. With planned infrastructure, proximity to Pune and Mumbai, and a sought-out establishment of industrial parks; Navi Mumbai is also considerably less polluted and crowded. If you’re working around in MBP Mahape or Airoli Mindspace, opt for housing options in Airoli, Ghansoli or Koparkhairne.

Should I rent a furnished or unfurnished house?

Rent a House in MumbaiYour answer will undoubtedly be a quick YES to moving into a furnished home, but here’s the catch. With a population that’s forever brimming, houses in Mumbai are not only smaller and expensive but it’s harder to find a fully-furnished apartment that doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket.

While it’s challenging to buy appliances and home furniture all-at-once, renting an unfurnished flat gives you the freedom to decide how your home will look. With RentoMojo’s premium furniture collection and appliances for all your needs, we’re sure you’ll find just what you need to make your dream home come true!

 

 

Before you move in…

Rent a House in Mumbai

Almost there! You found your dream apartment that fits your budget, has everything you need, and you’re ready to move in too. But wait, don’t forget the last mandatory routine-check.

Inspect the flat

Before you pack your bags and load up the truck, make sure you inspect your new flat thoroughly. If you have a chance, do an apartment walkthrough with the landlord or owner to determine if any issues or niggles in the house need fixing. Yes, it includes that leaky tap too.

Rental agreement

Now that you’re ready to sign the lease on your apartment, don’t forget to pore through the document to avoid nasty surprises or hidden charges from your landlord. Make sure you go through the rent clause, incremental rent clause (if any), repair and damages, maintenance fees and other charges carefully. Ensure that you’ve scoured for specific details in the agreement. If not, feel free to ask the owner.

Society rules and guidelines

Every society has rules and conditions that are imposed to maintain a stress-free residential experience. Some societies might be conservative about having late-night parties, having pets, playing loud music or bringing friends over all the time. Ensure that all your doubts and queries are cleared before moving in, feel free to check for the resident’s manual or simply ask your landlord.

The final act

It’s finally time to finish up with the whole house-hunting process. Take a breather, kick back your feet and relax. If you haven’t already found a place yet, it’s important to stay positive and continue your search. Your dream home might just be right around the corner! For the better or worse, Mumbai will undoubtedly surprise you time and again.

Here’s to new adventures, cheers!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the cost of rent in Mumbai?
The cost of rent in Mumbai varies significantly based on location and amenities. In prime areas like South Mumbai, rent for a small apartment can be extremely high. However, more affordable options are available in suburbs and shared accommodations, making it possible to find suitable housing within a budget.

2. What is the monthly rent in Mumbai? 
Monthly rent in Mumbai can vary depending on the location, size, and amenities of the property. In prime areas like Bandra, Juhu, and Colaba, rents can be quite high. However, more affordable options are available in suburbs like Malad, Andheri, and Borivali.

3. How much salary should you earn to pay for house rent in Mumbai?
The salary needed to afford rent in Mumbai varies greatly based on the location and size of the accommodation. A minimum monthly salary of around Rs. 50,000 is often suggested for a modest apartment in a less expensive area, but higher salaries are needed for larger spaces or in more central locations.

4. Is Mumbai costly for living?
Mumbai is one of the most expensive cities in India, with a high cost of living due to factors such as high demand for housing, transportation, and other essential services. However, it also offers numerous opportunities for employment and a vibrant lifestyle.

5. Is  Mumbai expensive to buy a house?
Yes, Mumbai is one of the most expensive cities in India for real estate. The cost of housing in Mumbai is significantly higher than the national average due to high demand and limited land availability.

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Moving To A New City,

Last Update: August 29, 2024