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City Profile

Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

India · Comprehensive city data and intelligence

Compare Visakhapatnam Custom Comparison
74
Overall Score

Visakhapatnam, often called Vizag, is a major coastal city in Andhra Pradesh, India, known for its stunning beaches, rich history, and burgeoning industrial sector. Originally a small fishing village, it grew into a significant port city during the British colonial era and has since evolved into a vital economic and educational hub. Its strategic location on the Bay of Bengal has historically made it a crucial center for trade and naval activities. Today, Visakhapatnam attracts residents with its blend of natural beauty, a growing job market, and a relatively peaceful environment compared to larger Indian metropolises.

About Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh, a southeastern Indian state, is characterized by its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and a blend of tradition and modernity. The economy is significantly driven by agriculture, with rice, sugarcane, cotton, and chilies as major crops, and a thriving fisheries sector, making it a leading producer of fish and shrimp in India. Key industries also include food processing, textiles, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and mining. The climate is generally hot and humid, especially in coastal regions, with temperatures ranging from 20°C to 40°C in summer, while winters are milder and more pleasant. The cost of living is generally affordable, with average monthly expenses for a single person ranging from approximately $187 to $971, including rent, and a lifestyle that embraces vibrant festivals, traditional arts like Kuchipudi dance, and a cuisine known for its spicy flavors.

2,514,213
Population
$0K
Avg Salary
13
Cost Index
74.0
Quality Score
How this 74/100 was calculated five components, with every reading behind them
Component Readings used Points Weight Contributes
Safety Safety score: 69 / 100 69.0 30% 20.7
Affordability No usable reading — dataset average used 75.1 25% 18.8
Economy & jobs Median household income: no usable reading Income needed to live here: no usable reading Unemployment rate: 4.22% 72.3 20% 14.5
Growth Population growth rate: 2.53% Job growth rate: no usable reading 88.3 15% 13.2
Business climate assessment Business climate assessment: 68 / 100 68.0 10% 6.8
Overall score 74.0

Provenance. These figures were produced by the research pass recorded as Tier 1 (fast) (q=64, partial — below threshold), last refreshed 26 September 2026. They are researched estimates drawn from public sources, not a licensed data feed.

Each component is scored against fixed published endpoints, so this number is comparable with any other city and does not move as the dataset grows. Scoring framework 2026.10 — full methodology, weights and accepted ranges.

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Performance

Quality Scores

Business
68
Livability
74
Affordability
65
Growth
70

Expenses

Cost of Living

Visakhapatnam is considered one of the more affordable cities in India, especially when compared to major metropolitan areas. The cost of living index is significantly lower than the national average, making it an attractive option for individuals and families seeking a lower cost of living. Housing, particularly outside the prime city center, remains relatively inexpensive, contributing significantly to its affordability. While daily expenses for food and transportation are also reasonable, the overall cost can be influenced by lifestyle choices and the specific neighborhoods chosen for residence.

Average Rent
$151/mo
Groceries
$109/mo
Transport
$14/mo
Utilities
$33/mo
Restaurant meal (mid-range)
$8.00
Monthly groceries
$109.00
1BR Apartment (city centre)
$151.00
2BR Apartment (city centre)
$353.00
Home purchase (per sq ft)
$5,435.00

Income

Salary Insights

The economy of Visakhapatnam is robust and diversified, driven by a strong industrial base, a growing IT sector, and its strategic importance as a port city. Key industries include heavy manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, IT, logistics, and tourism. Major employers range from public sector undertakings like Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and Hindustan Petroleum to private sector companies and numerous IT firms. The city is actively developing its IT and startup ecosystem, attracting investment and creating employment opportunities, with a growing remote work scene facilitated by improved digital infrastructure.

The average salary in Visakhapatnam is $357 per year. You would need approximately $454 to live comfortably.

Employment

Top Industries

Manufacturing Tourism Pharmaceuticals Logistics

Weather

Climate

🌡️
28°C
Avg Temp
☀️
32°C
Summer High
❄️
20°C
Winter Low
🌧️
58.70"
Annual Rain
💧
78.00%
Humidity
🌤️
219
Sunny Days

Mobility

Transport

Getting around Visakhapatnam is facilitated by a developing public transportation system, including buses and auto-rickshaws, alongside private vehicles. While walkability and cycling are feasible in certain areas, the city's layout and growing population necessitate efficient transport options. The average commute time is moderate, and efforts are underway to improve road infrastructure and public transit connectivity, including the development of new roads and the expansion of the airport.

min
Avg Commute
/10
Transit Score
/10
Walkability
Medium
Car Dependency
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At a Glance

Pros & Cons

Advantages
Visakhapatnam is recognized as one of India's safer cities, with a declining crime rate in recent years.
The city offers a relatively low cost of living compared to other major Indian cities, making it an affordable place to reside.
Visakhapatnam has a diversified and growing economy, with key sectors including IT, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and tourism, leading to robust job prospects.
The city boasts a beautiful natural environment with scenic beaches and hills, contributing to a high quality of life and recreational opportunities.
Housing prices and rental rates are generally more affordable than in India's largest metropolitan areas.
Drawbacks
Despite overall crime reduction, there has been a concerning rise in specific crime categories like murders in certain years.
While improving, public transportation infrastructure could be more developed to meet the needs of a growing population.
The city experiences high humidity and can have very hot summers, with temperatures potentially reaching up to 40°C.
While generally affordable, housing costs in prime areas can be high, and the average salary may not always keep pace with rising property prices.
The city's infrastructure, while developing, still faces challenges in keeping pace with rapid population and economic growth.

Head to Head

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Community Q&A

Questions about Visakhapatnam

What people ask about living in and moving to Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

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Gathering the most common questions about Visakhapatnam…

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

The consumer market basket tracks everyday necessities, including staple grocery items (such as milk, bread, eggs, and produce), residential energy bills (electricity, gas, and water), public and private transit costs, routine outpatient medical care, and standard consumer goods and services to ensure a representative monthly budget.

Even in close geographic proximity, local tax jurisdictions, municipal utility rates, zoning laws, and micro-housing markets can create wide cost discrepancies. For example, a city with strict land-use regulations or higher local sales taxes will typically exhibit elevated housing and consumer goods costs compared to an adjacent county with looser zoning and lower tax burdens.

Even in close geographic proximity, local tax jurisdictions, municipal utility rates, zoning laws, and micro-housing markets can create wide cost discrepancies. For example, a city with strict land-use regulations or higher local sales taxes will typically exhibit elevated housing and consumer goods costs compared to an adjacent county with looser zoning and lower tax burdens.

Local tax climates significantly shift a city's affordability score by directly affecting disposable income. Urblytica factors in state income tax brackets, local municipal property tax millage rates, and combined sales taxes to measure the true tax drag on median household earnings.

Core economic indexes and consumer price metrics undergo a comprehensive quarterly recalibration. This update cycle integrates the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, municipal utility rate adjustments, and regional housing data feeds to ensure all index comparisons reflect current economic conditions.

Housing is weighted as the single largest component in Urblytica's cost-of-living algorithm, typically accounting for roughly 30% to 35% of the composite score. It incorporates both median monthly gross rent and median single-family home purchase prices relative to local median income levels.

Normalization involves adjusting raw economic inputs against localized purchasing power parities (PPPs) and population-weighted density scales. This ensures fair, apples-to-apples comparisons between dense metropolitan hubs and smaller suburban or rural towns.

Utility indexing applies a rolling annual average that captures seasonal climate variations, such as increased summer air conditioning loads in southern climates or heavier winter heating demands in northern regions, providing a realistic year-round average utility expense.

Remote workers leverage the index to calculate real purchasing power parity when moving from a high-cost-of-living area to a lower-cost region. By comparing index differentials against their fixed salary, users can determine if their net savings and lifestyle quality will improve post-relocation.

While the raw Cost of Living Index measures pure expense levels, it is frequently paired with Urblytica’s local wage index and median household income benchmarks. This combined view highlights whether local salaries keep pace with local consumer goods and housing expenses.

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