The search for the “best” city to live in India is highly personal, evolving significantly with age and changing life priorities. A recent analysis by financial firm Dezerv, co-founded by Sandeep Jethwani, maps various Indian cities against specific needs that shift throughout a person’s life, from early career ambition to retirement comfort.
Early Career Professionals (Ages 25-35): Hyderabad and Bengaluru
For single professionals in their mid-twenties to mid-thirties, career growth and strong purchasing power are paramount. Hyderabad and Bengaluru emerge as the top recommendations in this phase. Both cities offer robust income growth opportunities, allowing young professionals to maximize their earnings and build capital. While factors like pollution, traffic, and long commutes are present, they are often seen as acceptable trade-offs for career advancement and wealth creation.
Starting a Family (Ages 30-40): Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Pune
As individuals transition into starting families, priorities broaden beyond just income. While purchasing power remains important, safety becomes an equally critical consideration. For those aged 30-40, Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Pune are highlighted as ideal choices. Ahmedabad scores particularly well for its safety combined with a moderate cost of living. Chennai and Pune offer a balanced blend of strong purchasing power and a secure environment, crucial as household needs expand.
Families with School-Going Children (Ages 35-50): Ahmedabad, Surat, Indore, Coimbatore, and Jaipur
When children reach school age, family well-being takes center stage. Safety, environmental pollution levels, and access to quality healthcare become dominant factors. The Dezerv analysis identifies Ahmedabad, Surat, Indore, Coimbatore, and Jaipur as suitable cities for families aged 35-50. These cities perform strongly in terms of safety and lower pollution, offering a manageable trade-off regarding purchasing power. Families can prioritize clean air and secure surroundings without excessive financial compromise.
Peak Earning Years (Ages 35-50): Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Pune
For employed professionals in their peak earning years, typically between 35 and 50, financial considerations like property price-to-income ratios and overall cost of living gain significance. Hyderabad stands out with the lowest property price-to-income ratio among the highlighted cities, at 4.3, making homeownership relatively more accessible. Ahmedabad and Pune also offer favorable ratios below 8, contrasting sharply with higher figures in major metros like Mumbai (30.1) and Delhi (16.1).
Pre-Retirement and Retirement (Ages 48+): Pune, Chennai, Hyderabad; Surat, Indore, Coimbatore, and Jaipur
As individuals approach and enter retirement, priorities shift towards quality of life, safety, and healthcare, often coupled with a desire for lower living costs. For those aged 48-60 nearing retirement, Pune, Chennai, and Hyderabad are recommended. For full retirement relocation or seeking a second home for those 50 and above, Surat, Indore, Coimbatore, and Jaipur are suggested. These cities offer a balanced proposition with strong safety records, lower pollution, good healthcare access, and more affordable property costs, supporting a comfortable post-work life.
Sandeep Jethwani’s framework underscores that there is no single “best” Indian city. The optimal choice is dynamic, depending on what an individual or family prioritizes at a given life stage—be it career advancement, family security, affordability, healthcare, or overall quality of life.