Expense Tracker for Pune, India

Pune has earned its reputation as India's "Oxford of the East" and, increasingly, as one of the country's most important IT hubs. With a pleasant climate, a thriving startup ecosystem, world-class educational institutions, and living costs significantly lower than Mumbai (just 150 km away), Pune attracts a steady stream of IT professionals, students, and young families. But the city is changing fast — rents in tech corridors like Hinjewadi and Kharadi have risen sharply, and the lifestyle inflation that comes with a growing economy can catch even well-paid professionals off guard.

Home to major IT parks housing Infosys, TCS, Wipro, and dozens of global tech companies, Pune's economy is heavily weighted toward technology and automotive manufacturing. The student population — from institutions like the University of Pune, Symbiosis, and numerous engineering colleges — adds a youthful energy and a culture of affordable eating, socialising, and entertainment. Yet the gap between "student Pune" and "IT professional Pune" is widening, with premium restaurants, craft breweries, and luxury housing developments catering to higher earners.

Whether you're an IT professional commuting to Hinjewadi or Magarpatta, a student managing a tight monthly budget, a young family settling in the suburbs, or a newcomer to Pune from another Indian city, this guide covers the real costs of living in Pune in 2026 and how to manage them. For a nationwide overview, see our complete India expense tracker guide, or compare with other Indian cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad.

Cost of Living in Pune (2026 Estimates)

Pune's costs vary between the old city, the new IT corridors, and the expanding suburbs. Here are realistic monthly estimates for a single person in Indian Rupees:

• Rent (1BHK apartment): ₹8,000–₹12,000 in outer areas (Wagholi, Undri, Hadapsar outskirts, Chakan); ₹15,000–₹25,000 in popular areas (Koregaon Park, Kalyani Nagar, Viman Nagar, Baner, Aundh). Hinjewadi-adjacent areas like Wakad and Balewadi fall in the ₹12,000–₹18,000 range
• Groceries: ₹3,000–₹5,000 per month — DMart and Big Bazaar offer the best value. Reliance Fresh and More are mid-range. Mandai (the wholesale market in Shivajinagar) offers excellent prices on fresh produce
• Transport: Auto-rickshaws are the everyday workhorse at ₹50–₹150 per ride. The Pune Metro (expanding lines in 2026) costs ₹10–₹40 per trip. PMPML buses are ₹10–₹30. Two-wheeler ownership is extremely popular at ₹3,000–₹5,000/month (fuel + maintenance). Ola/Uber rides cost ₹100–₹300 across the city
• Utilities (electricity, water, internet, gas): ₹2,000–₹4,000 per month — electricity runs ₹800–₹2,000 (AC usage in summer is the main variable). Broadband internet (fibre) costs ₹500–₹800/month for 100+ Mbps
• Dining out & entertainment: ₹3,000–₹8,000 — local thali meals cost ₹80–₹150, a mid-range restaurant dinner runs ₹300–₹600 per person. Pune's craft brewery scene (Doolally, Independence, Great State) means a pint costs ₹250–₹400. Koregaon Park and FC Road are the main social hubs
• Healthcare: Government hospitals are nearly free. Private hospital consultations run ₹500–₹1,500. Health insurance (recommended) costs ₹500–₹1,500/month for a decent plan

Total estimated monthly spend: ₹20,000–₹45,000 for a single person, depending on location and lifestyle. That's roughly 30–40% less than Mumbai and comparable to Hyderabad, making Pune one of India's best-value tech cities. For couples sharing costs, see our budget app for couples.

Why You Need an Expense Tracker in Pune

Pune's IT salary culture creates a specific financial trap: lifestyle inflation. When you move from a ₹25,000/month starting salary to ₹60,000–₹1,00,000 within a few years, spending scales with income almost automatically — a bigger flat in Baner, eating out instead of cooking, weekend trips to Lonavala, craft brewery visits on Friday evenings. Without tracking, salary increases translate directly into lifestyle upgrades rather than savings. An expense tracker is the tool that breaks this cycle.

The city's traffic problem makes transport costs unpredictable. Pune's traffic has worsened significantly with rapid growth, and commuting from residential areas to IT parks can involve variable Ola/Uber costs, fuel expenses, and parking fees that fluctuate monthly. Without tracking your actual transport spending, you might be underestimating it by ₹2,000–₹4,000/month. A private expense tracker reveals the true commuting cost and helps you evaluate whether moving closer to work would actually save money.

For Pune's growing community of expats and NRIs returning to India, tracking expenses in INR alongside a foreign currency provides important context. When you see that your ₹20,000 rent equals $240 or £190, Pune's value becomes strikingly clear — and motivates you to save aggressively rather than inflate your lifestyle. For the many professionals who moved from Mumbai or Bangalore, comparing spending between cities confirms whether the move actually saved money. An offline expense tracker works even in areas with patchy mobile coverage during monsoon season.

Best Way to Track Expenses in Pune

Pocket Clear fits Pune's spending patterns perfectly. Here's why:

• Offline-first design: Pune's newer suburbs and some metro areas can have inconsistent connectivity, especially during the monsoon. Pocket Clear works completely offline
• INR as primary currency: Track everything in rupees — from your ₹80 vada pav to your ₹20,000 rent payment
• No bank linking: No connection to your SBI, HDFC, or ICICI accounts. Your financial data stays entirely on your device
• Dual currency support: Add USD, GBP, EUR, or any currency as secondary — useful for IT professionals with international clients or NRIs tracking savings in foreign currency
• Quick logging: 5-second expense entry means you can log an auto-rickshaw fare or a chai immediately

For Expats and NRIs in Pune

Pune's IT parks attract professionals from across India and the world. Add your home currency to Pocket Clear and see INR spending in familiar terms. Compare Pune costs with Mumbai, Bangalore, or Singapore to understand Pune's exceptional value.

For Couples in Pune

Whether you're sharing a 2BHK in Aundh or a flat in Viman Nagar, use Partner Mode to track shared rent, groceries, utilities, and weekend outings. Our shared expense tracker makes splitting Pune's costs transparent.

Tips for Managing Money in Pune

1. Live near your workplace: Pune's traffic is its biggest quality-of-life and financial drain. Living in Wakad or Balewadi if you work in Hinjewadi, or Kharadi/Viman Nagar for Magarpatta, saves ₹3,000–₹6,000/month in transport and hours of daily commuting. Factor in transport costs when comparing rent in Pocket Clear
2. Use the Pune Metro and buses: The expanding Pune Metro connects key corridors affordably. PMPML buses, while slower, are extremely cheap. Using public transport 3-4 days per week instead of Ola/Uber saves ₹2,000–₹4,000/month
3. Shop at DMart and local mandais: DMart offers consistently low prices on groceries and household items. The Mandai in Shivajinagar and local sabzi mandis offer fresh produce at wholesale prices — significantly cheaper than Reliance Fresh or Nature's Basket
4. Set a brewery and dining-out budget: Pune's food and craft beer scene is excellent but can consume your budget. Create a "dining out" category in Pocket Clear with a weekly limit. Two brewery visits per month instead of four saves ₹2,000–₹3,000/month
5. Cook at home with a tiffin service backup: If cooking daily feels unrealistic with long IT hours, subscribe to a tiffin (dabba) service for ₹2,500–₹4,000/month — far cheaper than ordering from Swiggy/Zomato daily (which can run ₹6,000–₹10,000/month). Track both categories to see the real difference

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average cost of living in Pune in 2026?

A single person in Pune spends ₹20,000–₹45,000 per month. Rent (₹8,000–₹25,000) is the largest expense, followed by food (₹3,000–₹8,000 including dining out), transport (₹2,000–₹5,000), and utilities (₹2,000–₹4,000).

What is the best expense tracker app for Pune?

Pocket Clear is ideal for Pune — it works offline during monsoon connectivity issues, supports INR, requires no bank linking, and handles the mix of UPI, cash, and card payments common in Pune.

Is Pune cheaper than Mumbai?

Yes, significantly. Rent is 40–55% lower, food is 20–30% cheaper, and overall costs are 30–40% less than Mumbai. Many IT professionals relocate to Pune for this reason while maintaining comparable salaries.

How much is public transport in Pune in 2026?

PMPML buses cost ₹10–₹30 per ride. The Pune Metro costs ₹10–₹40. Auto-rickshaws are ₹50–₹150 per trip. Ola/Uber rides across the city are ₹100–₹300. Two-wheeler fuel costs ₹3,000–₹5,000/month.

Can I track expenses in INR offline in Pune?

Yes. Pocket Clear works 100% offline — on the Pune Metro, in the old city, or in any Pune neighbourhood. Log expenses in rupees anywhere and data syncs when you reconnect.

Start Tracking Your Pune Expenses Today

Pune is one of India's best cities for building a career and a life — affordable, well-connected, and culturally rich. But that affordability only translates to savings if you track your spending intentionally. Download Pocket Clear and start logging every rupee. It's private, works offline, and requires no bank linking. From the IT parks of Hinjewadi to the cafés of FC Road, take control of your finances in India's rising tech hub.