The Livability Index: It’s Time Real Estate Was Measured by Quality of Life, Not Just Price per Sq. Ft.
By Aakash Agarwal, Managing Director, Krisala Developers
Pune, 6th August 2025: For far too long, property buying in India has been dominated by the price-per-square-foot metric. While cost remains a crucial metric, today’s sharp homebuyers are looking beyond numbers in a brochure. They are asking deeper questions: How will this place enhance my lifestyle? Will my children have access to quality education nearby? Can I breathe clean air here? These are not just personal concerns; they form the foundation of what is increasingly being recognised as the Livability Index: a more holistic lens through which real estate should be evaluated.
The 2025 Global Liveability Index by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) assesses 173 major cities worldwide on factors such as stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. New Delhi ranked 120th, and Mumbai ranked 121st, both cities remain in the lower third of the global list, reflecting ongoing challenges in areas like healthcare, infrastructure, air quality, and public safety. Indian cities are making incremental improvements, but are still facing significant hurdles compared to global leaders in livability.
In the Indian context, livability is no longer an abstract term. It is backed by measurable parameters like infrastructure quality, access to healthcare and education, safety, environmental conditions, employment opportunities, and governance. The Ease of Living Index by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs reflects this approach, offering valuable insights into how cities perform in delivering real quality of life to their citizens. For 2025, Bangalore and Pune ranked first and second, respectively, as the most livable cities in India in the Ease of Living Index, reflecting strong performance in areas like infrastructure, environment, and quality of life.
From a developer’s point of view, aligning with livability goals is not only socially responsible but also commercially sound. Cities and neighbourhoods with high livability scores tend to show stronger property value appreciation and buyer confidence. Buyers are now willing to invest more in areas that offer superior air quality, green spaces, better connectivity, clean water, and efficient waste management, even if it means stretching their budget.
The pandemic has further accelerated this shift. Homebuyers now prioritise wellness, open areas, access to nature, and proximity to quality healthcare. The social fabric of a neighbourhood, whether it supports community living, safety, and recreational engagement, plays a defining role in decision-making. This evolving mindset is also pushing developers to reimagine how projects are planned. Offering just a luxury finish isn’t enough; the entire ecosystem around the home must foster ease, health, security, and enrichment.
It’s time we move past the transactional approach to real estate and adopt a livability-first perspective. The Livability Index should be a central benchmark for homebuyers, developers and urban planners. When real estate focuses on improving how people live, not just where they live, it leads to better cities, better communities, and better futures. And that’s a value far beyond the price tag.
