Delhi tops global list as the most affordable city for a romantic date

A romantic evening in one of the world's biggest cities does not always come with a hefty price tag. According to Deutsche Bank's Mapping the World's Prices 2026 report, India's capital Delhi has emerged as the world's cheapest major city for a romantic date among the 69 cities analysed.

The report found that a "cheap date" in Delhi costs around US$103 (approximately ₹9,920), making it significantly more affordable than several global cities.

At the other end of the spectrum, Geneva was ranked the most expensive city for a romantic date, with the same experience costing around US$475 (approximately ₹45,750), nearly five times the cost in Delhi.

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What makes a 'cheap date' according to the report?

Deutsche Bank's index compares everyday costs across major global cities, including expenses linked to lifestyle and leisure.

The romantic date measure takes into account common expenses such as:

Based on these calculations, Delhi ranked as the most affordable city for couples looking for a budget-friendly outing.

Delhi's affordability comes with a contrast

While Delhi scored strongly on affordability, the report highlighted a more complex economic picture. The city also ranked among those with some of the lowest salaries in the survey.

This means that although everyday expenses may be lower compared with many international cities, residents' purchasing power and income levels remain an important factor when assessing affordability.

Delhi also ranks among the cheaper cities for other expenses

The Deutsche Bank report tracks several categories beyond dating costs, including prices, salaries and quality-of-life indicators.

Some other findings for Delhi include:

How Delhi compares with other global cities

The report showed a wide gap between cities when it comes to the cost of leisure and lifestyle.

While Delhi ranked at the affordable end, cities such as Geneva, Zurich, Tel Aviv, Oslo and Copenhagen featured among the most expensive locations for a romantic date.

The difference reflects broader variations in wages, housing costs, services and consumer prices across global cities.

Affordable does not always mean better quality of life

Although Delhi's low costs helped it top the romantic date affordability ranking, affordability is only one measure of urban living.

The report also considers factors such as salaries, purchasing power, safety, healthcare, commuting, housing affordability and environmental conditions when assessing cities.

Delhi's ranking highlights an interesting contradiction: the city can offer relatively inexpensive experiences compared with global counterparts, while residents continue to navigate challenges linked to income levels and urban living.

For couples looking for an affordable night out, however, the numbers suggest Delhi remains one of the world's most budget-friendly major cities.