Pune Leads Ease of Living Rankings, Navi Mumbai Secures Second Place: Economic Survey 2025-26
Pune, the cultural capital of Maharashtra, has topped the Ease of Living rankings, according to the Economic Survey 2025-26. Three more cities from Maharashtra -- Navi Mumbai (2nd), Greater Mumbai (3rd), and Thane (7th) -- are in the top 10.
The Ease of Living Index is calculated based on the city's service and infrastructure indicators, including education, health, housing, water and sanitation, waste management, mobility, safety, and recreation.
The top 10 cities are:
1. Pune 2. Navi Mumbai 3. Greater Mumbai 4. Tirupati 5. Chandigarh 6. Thane 7. Raipur 8. Indore 9. Vijayawada 10. Bhopal
In the 2024-25 survey, Bengaluru topped the list, while Pune was in second spot. Navi Mumbai took sixth place, while Greater Mumbai ranked 10th.
Despite the positive ranking, some residents and social media users have expressed skepticism about Pune's top position. A user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, 'How come Pune is on the top ...it doesn't have a working metro all over the city ...traffic is horrible in peak hours, real estate is very expensive, airport is quite small and not many direct flights.' Another user commented, 'Lol Pune? Pune has property rates like Mumbai, air toxicity like Delhi and traffic of Bengaluru!!' A third user noted, 'What's the criteria? Pune is good in terms of weather and accessibility, but very backward in traffic and civic sense on road.'
Despite these criticisms, the survey highlights significant improvements in various sectors in Pune and other top-ranking cities. The government and local authorities are working to address the existing challenges and enhance the quality of life for residents.
The Ease of Living Index serves as a benchmark for cities to identify areas that require improvement and to implement effective policies. It also helps attract investments and promote sustainable urban development. With continued efforts, these cities are poised to become even more livable and attractive places to live.
