Trying to impress your date and yet not burn a hole big enough in your pocket? An Indian city exists where an entire evening out can be enjoyed under the cheap bill: a place for dinner and drinks, a movie, and maybe even a cab ride home. They have everything: yummy food, cozy cafes, jazzy street vibes, and some kind of laid-back aura that goes perfectly with being a couple.
With a hip crowd, a thriving tech scene, and cool weather, this city blends contemporary vibes with affordability. Looking at a performance at an indie theatre, sipping some localised wine atop a rooftop bar, or just walking through a park littered with trees? It offers all of this and more, minus the big price tag.
Bengaluru has emerged as the world’s most affordable city for a classic date night, according to Deutsche Bank’s 2025 edition of the Mapping the World’s Prices report. The “Cheap Date Index,” which evaluates the cost of a modest yet enjoyable evening out—dinner, drinks, movie tickets, and transport—placed the Indian tech hub at the top for affordability.
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The report, which analysed 69 global cities, highlights how India continues to be a cost-effective outlier in a world grappling with inflation, soaring housing costs, and shifting economic dynamics.
India remains ‘cheap’ but is primed to climb
Despite its rapid economic growth, India continues to rank low on the cost-of-living spectrum compared to global peers. “India surprised me most,” said Jim Reid, Head of Macro and Thematic Research at Deutsche Bank. “It will be the third-largest economy by the end of the decade, yet on a per capita basis, it still ranks outside the top 100.”
However, the report also ponited that Indian cities could climb the global pricing and salary charts in the coming years, driven by favourable demographics and a fast-growing economy.
What’s in ‘Cheap Date’ Index’?
The index includes the price of a bottle of wine, dinner for two, two movie tickets, public transport fares, and even a pair of jeans. While cities like Zurich, Geneva, and London are among the most expensive places to go on a date, Bengaluru—along with Cairo and Rio de Janeiro—offers the best value for money.
“If you’re comfortable in your relationship, you might want to stay in and watch Netflix in Zurich,” the report suggested.
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Quality of life: Luxembourg leads, megacities slide
While Indian cities score on affordability, smaller European cities dominate the quality-of-life rankings. Luxembourg takes the top spot, credited with short commutes, free public transport, and cleaner air. Meanwhile, global megacities like London, New York, and Hong Kong saw drops in their rankings, weighed down by long travel times, pollution, and housing crises.
US may have hit ‘peak pricing’
The report also notes that U.S. cities—once considered relatively affordable—are now some of the most expensive in the world, rivalling Geneva and Zurich. “If 2012 marked ‘cheap US,’ 2025 may represent ‘peak US,’” Reid said, pointing to a strong dollar, tech-led economic growth, and Wall Street’s dominance.
However, Deutsche Bank analysts suggest that a correction may be on the horizon by the 2030 edition.
