1. Snapshot of Living Costs in India
- According to Expatistan, a single person’s monthly basic expenses (excluding rent) are about ₹ 68,795; for a family of four, around ₹ 158,393.
- Major metros like Mumbai, Gurgaon, and Bangalore have higher cost-of-living indices compared to smaller cities and rural areas, especially for rent and imported goods.
- Essentials like groceries, local transport, utilities are relatively affordable; however, housing in central areas can significantly drive up expenses.
2. Expense Breakdown — What Costs Eat Up the Budget
| Category | Approximate Share / Cost (urban areas) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | City center one-bedroom apartments can consume 30-50% of monthly budget | Suburbs or tier-2 cities are cheaper |
| Food & Dining | Home cooking is economical; eating out, especially in upscale or imported food contexts, adds up | Local markets much cheaper than imported supplies |
| Transportation | Public transit is cost-efficient; using private vehicles or ride-hailing frequently increases costs | Commuting distance matters |
| Utilities & Daily Services | Electricity, broadband, water tend to be moderate; seasonal variation (e.g. cooling in summer) can spike costs | Internet/data costs increasing in some cities |
3. How Dogpay Makes Your Cross-Border Spending Smarter
| Scenario | Common Challenge | Dogpay Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Paying rent or security deposits from abroad | Slow bank wires, hidden fees, poor FX rates | Instant multi-currency transfers, zero conversion fees, rate transparency |
| Shopping / food & imported goods | Credit cards or foreign payments incur fees | Auto categorization, reports to track purchases vs budget |
| Healthcare or emergency services payments | Time-sensitive payments with delays or costly intermediaries | Quick settlements + stablecoin / fast channels for urgent costs |
| Budgeting and end-of-year spending review | Many small payments across platforms, lack of consolidation | Clear record logs + ability to export CSV/PDF for analysis and planning |
