Owning a 3 BHK remains a goal for many Middle-Class families in India, but reality paints a stark picture. Research by Square Yards reveals that the average cost of a 3BHK in five major metro cities has surged to ₹2.7 crore, while the average household income is only ₹23 lakh. Consequently, it would take an average homebuyer nearly 12 years of income to afford a 3BHK in these cities.
In the past year, only 11% of 3BHK launches are affordable, while 48% exceed sustainable prices. Most new options require high upfront costs and lead to long-term EMI stress.
According to industry estimates, an annual income of ₹22 lakh qualifies you for the top 1% of earners in India. This means that even some of the wealthiest individuals must allocate a significant portion of their salaries over a decade to afford a 3BHK apartment.
However, there are still affordable options. Our report, “The Cost of Owning a 3BHK in India: From Aspiration to Reality,” identifies value areas where homebuyers can save ₹30–60 lakh without changing jobs or cities.
An analysis of 10,500 new RERA-registered 3BHK units across five metros-Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad, Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), and NCR (excluding Delhi)- shows varying price-to-income ratios. Bridging the affordability gap ultimately depends on selecting the right micro-market.
Explore the full findings below in our report:
