NET TOTAL COSTS for all scenarios:
1) Living in India @ minimal cost: ~10k/yr
2) Living in India @ US-level lifestyle: ~$30k/yr
3) Living in USA @ minimal cost: ~$35k/yr
4) Living in USA @ world-class: ~$90k/yr 4) Living in USA @ billionaire level: TBD
Here's a breakdown on the true cost of living in US vs INDIA based on your employment phase and lifestyle:
A) Healthcare Cost: 1k-20k/yr
1) IF RETIRED in USA or choosing normal-quality government care in INDIA: $1-2k/yr
2) IF Not RETIRED in USA or choosing high-quality private care in INDIA: $10k/yr
Insurance ~$300 per month (rest is paid by employer in US)
Deductible up to $8000 per year
3) IF you chose Early RETIREMENT or Out of network care IN USA: $20k/yr
Insurance: $1000 per month (all paid by you)
Deductible: ~$8,000 per year
B) Car Cost: 1k-14k/yr
1) Employed = Not RETIRED cost ONLY for USA
Total cool car cost per year, $14k/yr
Fuel/charging $100 per month minimum,
Insurance $300 per month median,
Car loan for new car cost $700 per month,
Car registration, maintenance, collision deductible, $100 per month
2) RETIRED in USA or working in INDIA cost:
Total cheap car cost per year, $5k/yr
Fuel/Charging $50 per month median,
Insurance $50 per month median,
Used Car low interest loan $250 per month,
Car registration, maintenance, collision deductible, $50 per month
3) RETIRED in INDIA or no car ownership cost:
Uber/taxi cost: ~$100/month?
C) HOUSING: 2k-38k/yr
1) Not RETIRED in US; working in expensive city
Total cool city apartment per year, $38k/yr
Rent 2bed 2bath: $3000/month (bay area)
Electricity + insurance $200 per month
2) US RETIRED or Rented apartment in Major city of INDIA
Total cheap apartment cost per year, $10k/yr
Rent 2bed 2bath: $650/month (toledo, ohio, etc)
Electricity $100 per month minimum,
Insurance $15 per month median,
All other housing cost $35 per month
2) INDIA: RETIRED or live at parents home
Rent: FREE
Electricity $100 per month minimum,
Insurance $15 per month median,
All other housing cost $35 per month
D) FOOD/EATING: 1k-8k/yr
1) Food cost USA: 8k/yr fixed
Groceries: $500/m
Junk food: $100-200/m
Costco: $65/yr
Instacart: $85/yr
2) Food cost INDIA: 1k/yr fixed
Groceries: $100/m
Junk food: $100/m
Bigbasket: $6/yr
E) SCHOOLING & CHILDCARE: 5k-15k/yr
1) US: Private school: 10k fee/yr Childcare/Afterschool activities: $400/m
2) US: NO schooling fee for public school = FREE
Childcare/Afterschool activities: $400/m
3) India: schooling $200/m
Childcare/Afterschool activities: $200/m