Rising Indian Property Prices Prompt NRIs to Look Abroad for Better Value
As property prices in Indian metros soar, many NRIs are finding better value and returns in global cities like Melbourne, Munich, and Texas. The cost of a decent-sized flat in Mumbai now rivals that of an apartment in Munich, leading to a shift in investment strategies.
Property PricesNrisGlobal CitiesReal EstateInvestmentReal Estate MumbaiNov 11, 2025
One Reddit user shared their experience of comparing housing markets in 2021. “I could buy a house in Australia for the price of a flat in India,” they wrote. With clearer infrastructure and higher rental yields overseas, they chose to invest in Australia, noting that the value of their property has doubled in two years.
Another user pointed out that a “decent-sized flat in Mumbai now costs as much as an apartment in Munich.” Meanwhile, in Bengaluru, “anything affordable is too far from the main city,” and in the Delhi-NCR region, high prices and lifestyle concerns continue to be a barrier.
A Redditor noted that while Tier-2 cities remain more affordable, “I don’t have any connection to them,” reflecting a broader emotional and cultural hesitation in relocating away from metros.
Hyderabad emerges as an exception to the soaring prices in cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Gurugram. One commenter said the city has “been growing ridiculously,” noting that it remains significantly more affordable while still offering strong long-term appreciation potential. They highlighted areas around Raidurgam, one of the city’s prime commercial zones, where corporate offices and tech parks cluster. “A land parcel there recently sold for about ₹177 crore per acre,” the user wrote, pointing out the scale of institutional investment flowing into the region.
Yet, they noted that housing within a 10–15 minute radius of such commercial hubs can still be found at comparatively reasonable prices. “You can find flats close to these office corridors without paying the kind of premium you’d expect in Bengaluru or Mumbai,” they said.
Another user drew comparisons with housing markets abroad, particularly in the United States, saying the disparity in what buyers receive for the same amount of money has become impossible to ignore. “In the U.S., you can literally buy a multi-storey 4–5 bedroom single-family home in suburbs of Ohio, Texas, Georgia, or newer Midwest cities for under $400,000 (around ₹3.5 crore),” the Redditor wrote. “In India, that same amount will barely get you a basic apartment in a Tier 1 city.”
The Redditor said that this cost–value imbalance has led to a quiet wave of Indians seeking alternatives abroad. “There’s an unspoken exodus to Dubai,” they noted, mentioning that even countries like Malaysia and Vietnam now offer living standards and property sizes that rival or surpass those of metro cities such as Bengaluru, Mumbai, and the NCR, often at equal or lower costs.
When you compare what you get and the quality of life that comes with it, the difference is staggering, the user said, suggesting that the emotional pull of owning property in India is increasingly being outweighed by practical considerations of space, comfort, and affordability.
According to real estate brokers, a 500 sq ft apartment in prime areas such as Upper Bavaria in Munich typically starts around $466,000 (~₹3.96 crore). In neighbourhoods like Schwabing, 1BHK units start at around $380,000 (~₹3.23 crore), with prices increasing depending on location and size.
In the US, you can literally buy a multi-storey 4–5 bedroom single-family home in suburbs of Ohio, Texas, Georgia, or parts of the Midwest for under $400,000 (~₹3.5 crore), one Reddit user wrote, comparing it to the cost of compact apartments in Indian metros.
Real estate brokers said that in Ohio, 1,000 sq ft apartments typically sell for $100,000 to $300,000 (~₹85 lakh to ₹2.55 crore). In Texas, units measuring 1,000–1,300 sq ft often range from $195,000 to $450,000 (~₹1.66 crore to ₹3.83 crore).
Today, in prime Bengaluru areas, a good apartment will cost at least ₹2–3 crore. In suburbs, Grade A projects still start at around ₹1.5–2 crore, said Sunil Singh of Realty Corp.
The comparison extends to Australia as well. Reddit users argued that a home in Australia can cost the same as a flat in India, especially in the larger metros. In suburbs like Windsor, 1BHK apartments sell for $440,000 to $480,000 (~₹3.74 crore to ₹4.08 crore). In Sydney, 1BHKs typically start around $420,000 (~₹3.57 crore), with prices rising in premium neighbourhoods.
In comparison, in Bengaluru’s Indiranagar, a proper 1BHK recently transacted for around ₹2.3 crore. On average, 1BHK units in prime neighbourhoods cost ₹1.5–2 crore, while 2BHK apartments in Grade A projects typically range between ₹3–3.5 crore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are NRIs looking to buy homes abroad?
NRIs are looking to buy homes abroad because property prices in Indian metros have risen significantly, making it more affordable and potentially more profitable to invest in global cities like Munich, Melbourne, and Texas.
What are the main advantages of buying property in global cities?
The main advantages include better value for money, higher rental yields, better infrastructure, and a higher quality of life compared to Indian metros.
Which Indian cities are experiencing the highest property price increases?
Cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and the Delhi-NCR region are experiencing the highest property price increases, making it difficult for NRIs to find affordable options.
How does the cost of a property in India compare to that in global cities?
A decent-sized flat in Mumbai can cost as much as an apartment in Munich. Similarly, a 4-5 bedroom home in the suburbs of Ohio, Texas, or Georgia can cost around ₹3.5 crore, which is what you might pay for a basic apartment in a Tier 1 Indian city.
What is the current real estate trend in Hyderabad?
Hyderabad is emerging as an exception to the soaring property prices in other Indian metros. It remains more affordable while offering strong long-term appreciation potential, better infrastructure, and smoother traffic management.
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