Lucknow vs Surat

Side-by-side comparison for digital nomads

Lucknow 37% cheaper N/A / Moderate
Nomad Cost

$830

Lucknow

$1,313

Surat

Internet

61

Mbps

61

Mbps

Safety

N/A

Lucknow

Moderate

Surat

Air Quality

5/5

Lucknow

5/5

Surat

Healthcare

N/A

Lucknow

Moderate

Surat

Population

2.9m

Lucknow

4.5m

Surat

Lucknow and Surat are both in India, making this one of the most common comparisons for digital nomads planning a base in the region. This guide breaks down the key differences across cost, internet, safety, weather, and quality of life.

Cost of Living

Lucknow is significantly cheaper for digital nomads at $830/mo — 37% less than Surat's $1313/mo. Over 12 months, the difference adds up to $5796.

For families, Lucknow costs $668.408773077319/mo compared to Surat's $1217.325815245685/mo.

Internet & Infrastructure

Internet speeds are nearly identical — Lucknow at 61 Mbps and Surat at 61 Mbps. Both handle video calls and uploads well.

Quality of Life

Both Lucknow and Surat share the same safety rating — travelers can feel equally comfortable in either city.

Healthcare quality is rated similarly in both Lucknow and Surat.

Monthly Weather Comparison

The best time to visit Lucknow is February (around 23 degrees, 0mm rain, score 375), while Surat peaks in January (31 degrees, 0mm rain, score 422). Timing your stay around these months can make a big difference in your experience.

Cost of Living

LucknowSurat
Nomad$830/mo$1,313/mo
Expat$484/mo$821/mo
Local$191/mo$348/mo
Family$668/mo$1,217/mo

Internet & Infrastructure

LucknowSurat
City Speed
61 Mbps
61 Mbps
Country Speed61 Mbps61 Mbps

Environment & Health

LucknowSurat
Air Quality Score5/55/5
PollutionN/AModerate
ClimateN/AModerate
Humidity1833

Quality of Life

LucknowSurat
SafetyN/AModerate
HealthcareN/AModerate

Monthly Weather Comparison

Lucknow
Surat
Jan
19°
0mm335
31°
0mm422
Feb
23°
0mm375
32°
0mm402
Mar
30°
0mm375
36°
0mm382
Apr
38°
0mm325
41°
0mm372
May
42°
0mm315
42°
0mm372
Jun
44°
0mm315
39°
2mm320
Jul
40°
6mm191
34°
11mm120
Aug
38°
7mm196
34°
7mm181
Sep
37°
2mm303
36°
3mm258
Oct
36°
0mm375
39°
2mm384
Nov
29°
0mm375
34°
0mm402
Dec
22°
0mm355
31°
0mm422

Who Should Choose Lucknow?

  • Great for budget nomads — monthly costs around $830
  • Clean air with a 5/5 air quality score
  • Family-friendly at $668.408773077319/mo for families
  • Major city energy with 2.9m residents
  • Peak season in February — 23 degrees, score 375

Who Should Choose Surat?

  • Great for budget nomads — monthly costs around $1313
  • Clean air with a 5/5 air quality score
  • Family-friendly at $1217.325815245685/mo for families
  • Major city energy with 4.5m residents
  • Peak season in January — 31 degrees, score 422

Overall Verdict

Overall, Surat edges ahead for most digital nomads — at $1313/mo it runs 37% cheaper than Lucknow's $830/mo, with 61 Mbps internet for reliable remote work.

Granular Price Comparison

Lucknow Surat
ItemLucknowSuratDiff
🍽️Restaurants8 items
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$3.07$2.76
10%
Meal for 2, mid-range (3-course)$12.28$9.83
20%
McMeal or equivalent combo$3.07$3.68
17%
Cappuccino (regular)$1.57$1.35
14%
Domestic beer (0.5L draught)$1.84$1.84
=
Imported beer (0.33L bottle)$3.68$3.68
=
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L)$0.35$0.37
5%
Water (0.33L)$0.18$0.18
=
🛒Markets19 items
Milk (1L)$0.68$0.75
9%
White bread (500g)$0.45$0.52
13%
White rice (1kg)$0.71$0.69
3%
Eggs (12)$1.03$0.9
13%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$3.48$3.28
6%
Beef round (1kg)$6.52$9.83
34%
Local cheese (1kg)$3.96$5.42
27%
Apples (1kg)$1.49$1.54
3%
Bananas (1kg)$0.58$0.51
12%
Oranges (1kg)$0.82$1.03
20%
Tomatoes (1kg)$0.43$0.53
19%
Potatoes (1kg)$0.25$0.37
32%
Onions (1kg)$0.35$0.44
20%
Lettuce (1 head)$0.43$0.57
25%
Water (1.5L bottle)$0.35$0.33
6%
Wine, mid-range bottle$6.14$13.82
56%
Domestic beer (0.5L bottle)$1.81$2.68
32%
Imported beer (0.33L bottle)$3.39—
—
Cigarettes (pack of 20)$4.05$4.3
6%
🚌Transport8 items
One-way local transport ticket$0.43$0.25
42%
Monthly transport pass$12.28$4.3
65%
Taxi start (normal tariff)$0.61$0.61
=
Taxi per 1km$0.15$0.25
40%
Taxi 1hr waiting$1.23$1.23
=
Gasoline (1L)$1.25$1.23
2%
Volkswagen Golf (new)$14,738.11$13,202.89
10%
Toyota Corolla (new)$24,393.62$29,402.53
17%
⚡Utilities3 items
Utilities, 85m² apartment/mo$47.83$38.09
20%
Internet 60+ Mbps/mo$8.66$7.33
15%
Mobile prepaid per minute$0.02$0.02
=
🏋️Sport & Leisure3 items
Fitness club, monthly$19.96$15.79
21%
Tennis court rent (1hr weekend)$10.23$17.6
42%
Cinema, 1 ticket$3.68$3.68
=
👶Childcare2 items
Preschool, full-day private/mo$51.34$34.93
32%
International primary school/yr$1,271.16$861.26
32%
👗Clothing4 items
Jeans (Levi's 501 or similar)$27.55$27.2
1%
Summer dress (chain store)$34.39$35.97
4%
Nike running shoes (mid-range)$40.91$47.37
14%
Men's leather business shoes$38.92$31.58
19%
🏠Rent4 items
1-bedroom apartment, city centre$122.82$219.25
44%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre$77.99$227.49
66%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre$305.51$320.76
5%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre$180.13$272.23
34%
🏗️Buy2 items
Price per m², city centre$1,067.19$687.08
36%
Price per m², outside centre$599.7$484.34
19%
💰Finance2 items
Average monthly net salary$569.74$331.61
42%
Mortgage interest rate (20yr fixed)$8.47$7.45
12%

Lower is better for all cost items.

Data from Open-Meteo (weather) and global internet speed rankings. Updated monthly.

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