India Data Review

Household spending

In 2023-24 the average person in rural India spent ₹4,122 a month on consumption, and in urban India ₹6,996, 70% more, according to MoSPI's Household Consumption Expenditure Survey. Food was 47.0% of rural and 39.7% of urban spending.

Rural, 2023-24
₹4,122
per person a month; 2022-23: ₹3,773 (9.2%)
Urban, 2023-24
₹6,996
per person a month; 2022-23: ₹6,459 (8.3%)
Food's share of spending
47.0% rural
39.7% urban; 2022-23: 46.4% and 39.2%
Inequality (Gini), 2023-24
0.237 rural
0.284 urban; 2022-23: 0.266 and 0.314

About these figures

Figures are monthly consumption spending per person (MPCE), at the prices of the survey year, not adjusted for inflation. They exclude items households received free. Valuing those items (food from the public distribution system, school meals, laptops, bicycles and so on) at market prices raises the 2023-24 averages to ₹4,247 (rural) and ₹7,078 (urban). The survey was redesigned in 2022-23, so these two rounds are not directly comparable with earlier ones (last in 2011-12).

Spending per person by state, 2023-24

Average monthly consumption per person, rural and urban. Sorted by rural spending.

  • Rural
  • Urban
  1. All IndiaRural: ₹4,122 · Urban: ₹6,996
  2. SikkimRural: ₹9,377 · Urban: ₹13,927
  3. ChandigarhRural: ₹8,857 · Urban: ₹13,425
  4. GoaRural: ₹8,048 · Urban: ₹9,726
  5. Andaman & Nicobar IslandsRural: ₹7,771 · Urban: ₹10,453
  6. PuducherryRural: ₹7,598 · Urban: ₹8,637
  7. DelhiRural: ₹7,400 · Urban: ₹8,534
  8. KeralaRural: ₹6,611 · Urban: ₹7,783
  9. LakshadweepRural: ₹6,350 · Urban: ₹6,377
  10. TripuraRural: ₹6,259 · Urban: ₹8,034
  11. Arunachal PradeshRural: ₹5,995 · Urban: ₹9,832
  12. MizoramRural: ₹5,963 · Urban: ₹8,709
  13. Himachal PradeshRural: ₹5,825 · Urban: ₹9,223
  14. PunjabRural: ₹5,817 · Urban: ₹7,359
  15. Tamil NaduRural: ₹5,701 · Urban: ₹8,165
  16. TelanganaRural: ₹5,435 · Urban: ₹8,978
  17. HaryanaRural: ₹5,377 · Urban: ₹8,427
  18. Andhra PradeshRural: ₹5,327 · Urban: ₹7,182
  19. NagalandRural: ₹5,155 · Urban: ₹8,022
  20. LadakhRural: ₹5,010 · Urban: ₹7,533
  21. UttarakhandRural: ₹5,003 · Urban: ₹7,486
  22. KarnatakaRural: ₹4,903 · Urban: ₹8,076
  23. Jammu & KashmirRural: ₹4,774 · Urban: ₹6,327
  24. ManipurRural: ₹4,531 · Urban: ₹5,945
  25. RajasthanRural: ₹4,510 · Urban: ₹6,574
  26. Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & DiuRural: ₹4,311 · Urban: ₹6,837
  27. MaharashtraRural: ₹4,145 · Urban: ₹7,363
  28. GujaratRural: ₹4,116 · Urban: ₹7,175
  29. MeghalayaRural: ₹3,852 · Urban: ₹7,839
  30. AssamRural: ₹3,793 · Urban: ₹6,794
  31. BiharRural: ₹3,670 · Urban: ₹5,080
  32. West BengalRural: ₹3,620 · Urban: ₹5,775
  33. Uttar PradeshRural: ₹3,481 · Urban: ₹5,395
  34. Madhya PradeshRural: ₹3,441 · Urban: ₹5,538
  35. OdishaRural: ₹3,357 · Urban: ₹5,825
  36. JharkhandRural: ₹2,946 · Urban: ₹5,393
  37. ChhattisgarhRural: ₹2,739 · Urban: ₹4,927
Show as table
RuralUrban
All India₹4,122₹6,996
Sikkim₹9,377₹13,927
Chandigarh₹8,857₹13,425
Goa₹8,048₹9,726
Andaman & Nicobar Islands₹7,771₹10,453
Puducherry₹7,598₹8,637
Delhi₹7,400₹8,534
Kerala₹6,611₹7,783
Lakshadweep₹6,350₹6,377
Tripura₹6,259₹8,034
Arunachal Pradesh₹5,995₹9,832
Mizoram₹5,963₹8,709
Himachal Pradesh₹5,825₹9,223
Punjab₹5,817₹7,359
Tamil Nadu₹5,701₹8,165
Telangana₹5,435₹8,978
Haryana₹5,377₹8,427
Andhra Pradesh₹5,327₹7,182
Nagaland₹5,155₹8,022
Ladakh₹5,010₹7,533
Uttarakhand₹5,003₹7,486
Karnataka₹4,903₹8,076
Jammu & Kashmir₹4,774₹6,327
Manipur₹4,531₹5,945
Rajasthan₹4,510₹6,574
Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu₹4,311₹6,837
Maharashtra₹4,145₹7,363
Gujarat₹4,116₹7,175
Meghalaya₹3,852₹7,839
Assam₹3,793₹6,794
Bihar₹3,670₹5,080
West Bengal₹3,620₹5,775
Uttar Pradesh₹3,481₹5,395
Madhya Pradesh₹3,441₹5,538
Odisha₹3,357₹5,825
Jharkhand₹2,946₹5,393
Chhattisgarh₹2,739₹4,927

MoSPI, Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES), via MoSPI's data service.

Spending by class, 2023-24

Average spending of each slice of the population, ranked from the lowest-spending 5% to the highest. The top 5% in towns spend 9 times as much as the bottom 5%; in villages 6 times.

  • Rural
  • Urban
  1. 0–5%Rural: ₹1,677 · Urban: ₹2,376
  2. 5–10%Rural: ₹2,126 · Urban: ₹3,093
  3. 10–20%Rural: ₹2,473 · Urban: ₹3,687
  4. 20–30%Rural: ₹2,833 · Urban: ₹4,353
  5. 30–40%Rural: ₹3,162 · Urban: ₹4,979
  6. 40–50%Rural: ₹3,498 · Urban: ₹5,622
  7. 50–60%Rural: ₹3,866 · Urban: ₹6,334
  8. 60–70%Rural: ₹4,304 · Urban: ₹7,199
  9. 70–80%Rural: ₹4,885 · Urban: ₹8,353
  10. 80–90%Rural: ₹5,763 · Urban: ₹10,139
  11. 90–95%Rural: ₹6,929 · Urban: ₹12,817
  12. 95–100%Rural: ₹10,137 · Urban: ₹20,310
Show as table
RuralUrban
0–5%₹1,677₹2,376
5–10%₹2,126₹3,093
10–20%₹2,473₹3,687
20–30%₹2,833₹4,353
30–40%₹3,162₹4,979
40–50%₹3,498₹5,622
50–60%₹3,866₹6,334
60–70%₹4,304₹7,199
70–80%₹4,885₹8,353
80–90%₹5,763₹10,139
90–95%₹6,929₹12,817
95–100%₹10,137₹20,310

MoSPI, Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES), via MoSPI's data service.

Spending by social group, 2023-24

Average monthly consumption per person.

  • Rural
  • Urban
  1. Scheduled TribeRural: ₹3,363 · Urban: ₹6,030
  2. Scheduled CasteRural: ₹3,878 · Urban: ₹5,775
  3. Other Backward ClassRural: ₹4,206 · Urban: ₹6,738
  4. Others (general)Rural: ₹4,642 · Urban: ₹7,832
Show as table
RuralUrban
Scheduled Tribe₹3,363₹6,030
Scheduled Caste₹3,878₹5,775
Other Backward Class₹4,206₹6,738
Others (general)₹4,642₹7,832

MoSPI, Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES), via MoSPI's data service.

By what the household mainly does, rural

  1. Regular wage/salaried in non-agricultureRural: ₹5,005
  2. OthersRural: ₹4,747
  3. Self employed in non-agricultureRural: ₹4,407
  4. Self employed in agricultureRural: ₹4,033
  5. Regular wage/salaried in agricultureRural: ₹3,972
  6. Casual labour in non-agricultureRural: ₹3,653
  7. Casual labour in agricultureRural: ₹3,652
Show as table
Rural
Regular wage/salaried in non-agriculture₹5,005
Others₹4,747
Self employed in non-agriculture₹4,407
Self employed in agriculture₹4,033
Regular wage/salaried in agriculture₹3,972
Casual labour in non-agriculture₹3,653
Casual labour in agriculture₹3,652

By what the household mainly does, urban

  1. OthersUrban: ₹9,159
  2. Regular wage/salariedUrban: ₹7,606
  3. Self employedUrban: ₹6,595
  4. Casual labourUrban: ₹4,964
Show as table
Urban
Others₹9,159
Regular wage/salaried₹7,606
Self employed₹6,595
Casual labour₹4,964

MoSPI, Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES), via MoSPI's data service.

Food: share of spending, 2023-24

Share of monthly consumption spending, all India.

  • Rural
  • Urban
  1. Beverages, Processed Food, etc.Rural: 9.84% · Urban: 11.09%
  2. Milk and Milk ProductsRural: 8.44% · Urban: 7.19%
  3. VegetablesRural: 6.03% · Urban: 4.12%
  4. CerealRural: 4.97% · Urban: 3.74%
  5. Egg, Fish & MeatRural: 4.92% · Urban: 3.56%
  6. SpicesRural: 3.27% · Urban: 2.30%
  7. Fruits (fresh)Rural: 2.66% · Urban: 2.61%
  8. Edible OilRural: 2.77% · Urban: 1.82%
  9. Pulses and Pulse ProductsRural: 1.78% · Urban: 1.22%
  10. Fruits (dry)Rural: 1.19% · Urban: 1.26%
  11. SugarRural: 0.78% · Urban: 0.50%
  12. GramRural: 0.26% · Urban: 0.18%
  13. SaltRural: 0.11% · Urban: 0.07%
  14. Cereal SubstitutesRural: 0.02% · Urban: 0.02%
Show as table
RuralUrban
Beverages, Processed Food, etc.9.84%11.09%
Milk and Milk Products8.44%7.19%
Vegetables6.03%4.12%
Cereal4.97%3.74%
Egg, Fish & Meat4.92%3.56%
Spices3.27%2.30%
Fruits (fresh)2.66%2.61%
Edible Oil2.77%1.82%
Pulses and Pulse Products1.78%1.22%
Fruits (dry)1.19%1.26%
Sugar0.78%0.50%
Gram0.26%0.18%
Salt0.11%0.07%
Cereal Substitutes0.02%0.02%

MoSPI, Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES), via MoSPI's data service.

Other items: share of spending, 2023-24

Share of monthly consumption spending, all India.

  • Rural
  • Urban
  1. ConveyanceRural: 7.59% · Urban: 8.46%
  2. Durable GoodsRural: 6.48% · Urban: 6.87%
  3. Fuel and LightRural: 6.11% · Urban: 5.59%
  4. Consumer Services Excluding ConveyanceRural: 5.25% · Urban: 5.72%
  5. Clothing & BeddingRural: 5.67% · Urban: 4.80%
  6. EducationRural: 3.24% · Urban: 5.97%
  7. Medical (Non- Hospitalization)Rural: 4.58% · Urban: 3.89%
  8. RentRural: 0.56% · Urban: 6.58%
  9. Pan, Tobacco & IntoxicantsRural: 3.84% · Urban: 2.37%
  10. Toilet ArticlesRural: 2.87% · Urban: 3.04%
  11. Other Household ConsumablesRural: 2.33% · Urban: 2.11%
  12. Medical (Hospitalization)Rural: 2.25% · Urban: 1.96%
  13. EntertainmentRural: 1.02% · Urban: 1.77%
  14. FootwearRural: 0.96% · Urban: 0.86%
  15. Other Taxes & CessesRural: 0.21% · Urban: 0.33%
Show as table
RuralUrban
Conveyance7.59%8.46%
Durable Goods6.48%6.87%
Fuel and Light6.11%5.59%
Consumer Services Excluding Conveyance5.25%5.72%
Clothing & Bedding5.67%4.80%
Education3.24%5.97%
Medical (Non- Hospitalization)4.58%3.89%
Rent0.56%6.58%
Pan, Tobacco & Intoxicants3.84%2.37%
Toilet Articles2.87%3.04%
Other Household Consumables2.33%2.11%
Medical (Hospitalization)2.25%1.96%
Entertainment1.02%1.77%
Footwear0.96%0.86%
Other Taxes & Cesses0.21%0.33%

MoSPI, Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES), via MoSPI's data service.

Food's share of spending by state, 2023-24

Sorted by the rural share.

  • Rural
  • Urban
  1. LadakhRural: 57.3% · Urban: 52.6%
  2. AssamRural: 53.2% · Urban: 47.4%
  3. BiharRural: 52.5% · Urban: 48.8%
  4. West BengalRural: 51.5% · Urban: 44.2%
  5. Jammu & KashmirRural: 51.3% · Urban: 42.5%
  6. MeghalayaRural: 50.3% · Urban: 39.4%
  7. Arunachal PradeshRural: 50.2% · Urban: 44.3%
  8. SikkimRural: 50.2% · Urban: 46.2%
  9. GujaratRural: 49.0% · Urban: 43.4%
  10. GoaRural: 48.9% · Urban: 47.9%
  11. JharkhandRural: 48.8% · Urban: 40.9%
  12. Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & DiuRural: 48.7% · Urban: 46.7%
  13. LakshadweepRural: 48.7% · Urban: 54.1%
  14. ManipurRural: 48.6% · Urban: 43.6%
  15. OdishaRural: 48.5% · Urban: 40.7%
  16. HaryanaRural: 48.0% · Urban: 41.3%
  17. Uttar PradeshRural: 47.3% · Urban: 41.4%
  18. MizoramRural: 47.0% · Urban: 41.2%
  19. TripuraRural: 46.7% · Urban: 43.5%
  20. ChhattisgarhRural: 46.6% · Urban: 40.5%
  21. NagalandRural: 46.3% · Urban: 45.5%
  22. RajasthanRural: 46.1% · Urban: 38.4%
  23. Andhra PradeshRural: 45.9% · Urban: 39.4%
  24. Andaman & Nicobar IslandsRural: 45.8% · Urban: 42.9%
  25. KarnatakaRural: 45.1% · Urban: 37.7%
  26. Himachal PradeshRural: 44.7% · Urban: 37.9%
  27. Madhya PradeshRural: 44.5% · Urban: 38.0%
  28. Tamil NaduRural: 44.3% · Urban: 38.6%
  29. UttarakhandRural: 43.8% · Urban: 38.2%
  30. TelanganaRural: 43.4% · Urban: 37.8%
  31. PuducherryRural: 43.1% · Urban: 39.0%
  32. MaharashtraRural: 42.7% · Urban: 36.1%
  33. PunjabRural: 42.4% · Urban: 41.3%
  34. ChandigarhRural: 40.4% · Urban: 37.3%
  35. DelhiRural: 40.3% · Urban: 39.6%
  36. KeralaRural: 40.3% · Urban: 36.5%
Show as table
RuralUrban
Ladakh57.3%52.6%
Assam53.2%47.4%
Bihar52.5%48.8%
West Bengal51.5%44.2%
Jammu & Kashmir51.3%42.5%
Meghalaya50.3%39.4%
Arunachal Pradesh50.2%44.3%
Sikkim50.2%46.2%
Gujarat49.0%43.4%
Goa48.9%47.9%
Jharkhand48.8%40.9%
Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu48.7%46.7%
Lakshadweep48.7%54.1%
Manipur48.6%43.6%
Odisha48.5%40.7%
Haryana48.0%41.3%
Uttar Pradesh47.3%41.4%
Mizoram47.0%41.2%
Tripura46.7%43.5%
Chhattisgarh46.6%40.5%
Nagaland46.3%45.5%
Rajasthan46.1%38.4%
Andhra Pradesh45.9%39.4%
Andaman & Nicobar Islands45.8%42.9%
Karnataka45.1%37.7%
Himachal Pradesh44.7%37.9%
Madhya Pradesh44.5%38.0%
Tamil Nadu44.3%38.6%
Uttarakhand43.8%38.2%
Telangana43.4%37.8%
Puducherry43.1%39.0%
Maharashtra42.7%36.1%
Punjab42.4%41.3%
Chandigarh40.4%37.3%
Delhi40.3%39.6%
Kerala40.3%36.5%

MoSPI, Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES), via MoSPI's data service.

Inequality of spending by state, 2023-24

Gini coefficient: 0 if everyone spent the same, 1 if one person spent everything. Sorted by urban.

  • Rural
  • Urban
  1. All IndiaRural: 0.237 · Urban: 0.284
  2. JharkhandRural: 0.220 · Urban: 0.306
  3. LadakhRural: 0.238 · Urban: 0.305
  4. HaryanaRural: 0.187 · Urban: 0.294
  5. KarnatakaRural: 0.227 · Urban: 0.290
  6. MaharashtraRural: 0.229 · Urban: 0.288
  7. OdishaRural: 0.221 · Urban: 0.287
  8. ChandigarhRural: 0.181 · Urban: 0.285
  9. West BengalRural: 0.196 · Urban: 0.285
  10. RajasthanRural: 0.241 · Urban: 0.282
  11. KeralaRural: 0.255 · Urban: 0.277
  12. DelhiRural: 0.205 · Urban: 0.275
  13. ChhattisgarhRural: 0.211 · Urban: 0.273
  14. UttarakhandRural: 0.218 · Urban: 0.270
  15. Uttar PradeshRural: 0.191 · Urban: 0.269
  16. Himachal PradeshRural: 0.226 · Urban: 0.266
  17. SikkimRural: 0.249 · Urban: 0.262
  18. TelanganaRural: 0.164 · Urban: 0.256
  19. Madhya PradeshRural: 0.208 · Urban: 0.255
  20. Arunachal PradeshRural: 0.232 · Urban: 0.249
  21. Tamil NaduRural: 0.210 · Urban: 0.249
  22. Jammu & KashmirRural: 0.220 · Urban: 0.247
  23. AssamRural: 0.183 · Urban: 0.243
  24. Andaman & Nicobar IslandsRural: 0.265 · Urban: 0.240
  25. Andhra PradeshRural: 0.196 · Urban: 0.240
  26. MeghalayaRural: 0.189 · Urban: 0.239
  27. GujaratRural: 0.210 · Urban: 0.233
  28. LakshadweepRural: 0.249 · Urban: 0.233
  29. BiharRural: 0.191 · Urban: 0.232
  30. GoaRural: 0.190 · Urban: 0.220
  31. PunjabRural: 0.190 · Urban: 0.218
  32. TripuraRural: 0.187 · Urban: 0.203
  33. MizoramRural: 0.220 · Urban: 0.200
  34. ManipurRural: 0.181 · Urban: 0.192
  35. PuducherryRural: 0.162 · Urban: 0.192
  36. Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & DiuRural: 0.215 · Urban: 0.191
  37. NagalandRural: 0.203 · Urban: 0.187
Show as table
RuralUrban
All India0.2370.284
Jharkhand0.2200.306
Ladakh0.2380.305
Haryana0.1870.294
Karnataka0.2270.290
Maharashtra0.2290.288
Odisha0.2210.287
Chandigarh0.1810.285
West Bengal0.1960.285
Rajasthan0.2410.282
Kerala0.2550.277
Delhi0.2050.275
Chhattisgarh0.2110.273
Uttarakhand0.2180.270
Uttar Pradesh0.1910.269
Himachal Pradesh0.2260.266
Sikkim0.2490.262
Telangana0.1640.256
Madhya Pradesh0.2080.255
Arunachal Pradesh0.2320.249
Tamil Nadu0.2100.249
Jammu & Kashmir0.2200.247
Assam0.1830.243
Andaman & Nicobar Islands0.2650.240
Andhra Pradesh0.1960.240
Meghalaya0.1890.239
Gujarat0.2100.233
Lakshadweep0.2490.233
Bihar0.1910.232
Goa0.1900.220
Punjab0.1900.218
Tripura0.1870.203
Mizoram0.2200.200
Manipur0.1810.192
Puducherry0.1620.192
Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu0.2150.191
Nagaland0.2030.187

MoSPI, Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES), via MoSPI's data service.