Chennai guide

For families moving to India from abroad2026 edition

ChennaiDetroit of India · Capital of Dravidian Culture

Chennai for a family moving from abroad: where families live near the car plants and the IT corridor, the international schools, and a deposit set by Tamil Nadu's tenancy law.

Moving from another Indian city? Read the guide for moves within India

Marina Beach and its food stalls at sunset, from above
Marina Beach and its food stalls at sunset, from abovePhoto: Saiphani02, CC BY-SA 4.0

What families ask first

Rent a month ₹80k to 2.5L Furnished 3BHK in a gated society, premium areas Housing School fees a year ₹9L to 20L American International School Chennai (AISC) Schools A typical commute 60 to 75 min Nungambakkam → Sriperumbudur, GST Road / NH48 · Hyundai plant Neighbourhoods Security deposit 3 months The Tamil Nadu Tenancy Act Housing

Indicative figures from this guide. 1 lakh (L) is ₹100,000. Your IKAN consultant confirms the exact numbers before you act on them.

In this guide

7 short chapters

Read them in order, or go straight to the one you need.

  1. 01The cityCity Overview, Culture & Heritage, Climate6 min read
  2. 02ArrivingVisas & Arrival, Settling In, Flights & Connections9 min read
  3. 03Where to liveNeighbourhoods, Housing Market, The IKAN Method10 min read
  4. 04Schools and healthInternational Schools, Healthcare4 min read
  5. 05Getting aroundTransport & Metro, Apps & Digital Life5 min read
  6. 06Everyday lifeDining, Coffee & Weekends, Tamil Language Guide, Weekend Escapes9 min read
  7. 07Before you goAt a glance, Watch Out, Common Questions, IKAN India Essentials5 min read

Where families live

7 neighbourhoods, on one map

The number on each pin is the number in the list. Rents and commutes are this guide's own figures.

The map of Chennai loads here.

  1. Boat Club RoadChennai's Oldest Premium Address ₹2.5L to 4.5L a month
  2. NungambakkamCentral, Walkable, Diplomatic ₹1.2L to 1.8L a month60 to 75 min to Sriperumbudur
  3. AdyarLeafy Family Haven ₹1.1L to 1.7L a month35 to 50 min to Sholinganallur
  4. Besant NagarBeach-Side Living ₹1.2L to 1.8L a month10 to 15 min to Taramani (AISC)
  5. Anna NagarNorth Chennai Planned Suburb ₹75k to 1.2L a month
  6. OMR CorridorIT Belt & Modern High-Rise ₹45k to 1.3L a month35 to 50 min from Adyar
  7. East Coast RoadBeachfront Villa Living ₹1.2L to 2L a month

Open Where to live

Chennai in pictures

The city in twelve frames

Mahabalipuram Shore Temple UNESCO
Mahabalipuram Shore Temple UNESCOPhoto: Paulwalker96, CC BY-SA 4.0Everyday life
Anna Memorial Marina Chennai
Anna Memorial Marina ChennaiPhoto: Yercaud-elango, CC BY 4.0The city
Pongal harvest festival Tamil Nadu
Pongal harvest festival Tamil NaduPhoto: Hishampgm, CC BY-SA 4.0The city
Pondicherry French Quarter
Pondicherry French QuarterPhoto: Dey.sandip, CC BY 3.0Everyday life
Yelagiri Hills weekend
Yelagiri Hills weekendPhoto: L.vivian.richard, Public domainEveryday life
Kanchipuram temple town
Kanchipuram temple townPhoto: Ms Sarah Welch, CC BY-SA 4.0Everyday life
Shore Temple Mahabalipuram
Shore Temple MahabalipuramPhoto: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0
The rooftops of T. Nagar at dusk, Chennai
The rooftops of T. Nagar at dusk, ChennaiPhoto: Nishamoney, CC0
The terminal and apron at Chennai International Airport
The terminal and apron at Chennai International AirportPhoto: Oleg Yunakov, CC BY-SA 4.0
Pigeons over Marina Beach in the morning, Chennai
Pigeons over Marina Beach in the morning, ChennaiPhoto: Dey.sandip, CC BY-SA 4.0
Fort St George Chennai
Fort St George ChennaiPhoto: Jan Van Ryne (1712-60), Public domain
Ripon Building, the Greater Chennai Corporation headquarters
Ripon Building, the Greater Chennai Corporation headquartersPhoto: Karthikeyan321, CC BY 4.0

The weather, drawn

A year in Chennai

Each month as this guide describes it. Read the seasons in full

  1. 21 to 29°JanPleasant
  2. 22 to 31°FebPleasant
  3. 24 to 33°MarWarm
  4. 27 to 35°AprHot
  5. 28 to 37°MayPeak Hot
  6. 28 to 37°JunHumid
  7. 26 to 35°JulHumid
  8. 26 to 35°AugHumid
  9. 26 to 34°SepHumid
  10. 25 to 32°OctNE Monsoon
  11. 23 to 30°NovCyclone Peak
  12. 22 to 29°DecMargazhi
Best monthsWarmHotMonsoonBest months in Chennai: Jan, Feb, Dec

What a month costs

Add up a month

A Furnished 3BHK Gated, plus monthly groceries (family), from this guide's own figures.

₹95k to 2.8L a month

Pick your own home and school

IKAN in Chennai

We handle your move to Chennai from start to finish.
That means the home, the schools and the paperwork.

Chennai is good to people who arrive ready to belong, from your first filter coffee on a Mylapore morning to the Marina breeze at dusk. IKAN runs your international move end to end: the home, the schools, the paperwork and the hundred small things in between. You can start living in Chennai from day one.

Already moving with IKAN?

Your homes, dates and papers are in i-Navigate, IKAN's app for families. It opens with the email address your IKAN consultant has for you, then sends you a six digit code.

Open your move Not moving with IKAN yet? Write to relo@ikan.com and a consultant will reply.

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