Is New Delhi a good place to live?
How each score is calculated: CostiAffordability, 0–100. Higher = cheaper. = 100 − (country price level vs US × a city-size premium). Source: World Bank PPP ÷ exchange rate (US = 100). · ClimateiComfort, 0–100, from WorldClim monthly temperatures. Penalises hot summers (above ~24°C), cold winters (below ~6°C) and too-cool summers (below 15°C). Higher = milder. · Safetyi0–100. Higher = safer. Blends 55% natural-disaster safety (8 hazards — earthquake from real USGS records, plus flood, storm, wildfire, heat, drought, cold, tsunami) and 45% crime safety (homicide rate). · LivabilityiOverall score, 0–100 = 0.35 × Cost + 0.30 × Climate + 0.35 × Safety. (hover the i)
- Livability — overall score = 0.35 × Cost + 0.30 × Climate + 0.35 × Safety.
- Cost — affordability vs the United States (100 = US prices). Higher = cheaper to live.
- Climate — year-round comfort; penalises extreme summer heat, harsh winters and chilly summers.
- Safety — combined natural-disaster exposure (earthquake, flood, storm, wildfire, heat, drought, cold, tsunami) and crime (homicide rate). Higher = safer.
- Hazard tiers — each disaster type is rated 1 (very low risk) to 5 (very high risk).
What living in New Delhi actually looks like
On cost, India sits at 53 on the World Bank price level (US=100) — well below US prices — which maps to an affordability score of 47/100. The climate brings hot summers (warmest-month highs around 33.6°C) and mild winters (coldest-month lows near 14.4°C), scoring 52/100 on our comfort index. Personal safety is moderate at 60/100 — a blend of natural-disaster exposure (53/100; main risk extreme heat) and crime safety (70/100). Weighted together (0.35 cost, 0.30 climate, 0.35 safety) that produces an overall livability of 53/100 — a mixed pick. On balance, New Delhi suits relocators willing to trade one factor for another best; weigh it against the disaster profile below before committing.
Natural-disaster risk in New Delhi
Does New Delhi get dangerously hot?
Extreme-heat risk in New Delhi is high (4/5); warmest-month mean high ~33.6°C (WorldClim).
Is New Delhi at risk of earthquakes?
Earthquake risk in New Delhi is moderate (3/5). USGS records 72 magnitude-4.5+ earthquakes within 300 km since 1980.
Does New Delhi flood?
Flood risk in New Delhi is moderate (3/5), based on regional river/coastal flood exposure.
Is New Delhi prone to drought?
Drought risk in New Delhi is moderate (3/5), from regional aridity and summer heat.
FAQ
Is New Delhi a good place to live?
New Delhi scores 53/100 for livability — cost 47, climate 52, safety 60.
Is New Delhi safe?
Safety 60/100 = disaster safety 53 (main risk extreme heat) blended with crime safety 70.
What's the climate like in New Delhi?
Warmest-month highs average ~33.6°C and coldest-month lows ~14.4°C (WorldClim climate normals).
How much does it cost to live in New Delhi?
India sits at 53/100 on the World Bank price level (US=100) — affordability score 47/100.
See also
All cities in India → Best places to retire in India → Digital nomad guide to India → Natural-disaster risk in India → Safest cities from extreme heat → Humid-subtropical cities →