Most things, in general, are much cheaper to buy in the US than they are in India. For instance, cars, petrol, branded clothes, branded shoes, chocolates, wine, leather furniture, recliners, good comforters, etc.
Whenever travelling to the US, I try and stock up on some of the essential items. Even the laptops and tablets, although the price difference is slowly diminishing, many are still cheaper and better spec’ed in the US.
Most of my jeans and t-shirts I buy only the US, that too strictly on-sale only! My sports shoe is purchased there. Same with floaters/sandals. Camera lenses are typically cheaper in the US. Baby care and safety products (like baby car seat, stroller, etc) are much much cheaper in the US and I prefer to source it from there.
However, there are things much cheaper in India – top of that list would be medical needs! Doctors consultation, general diagnostics and care, these are much cheaper and often better in India than they are in the US.
Getting a suit stitched is also much cheaper in India. Although, you’ll have to look and ask around well enough to get a reliable and competent tailor.
Getting a furniture made to your design and specifications is much cheaper in India. Some of the carpenters are insanely talented.
Getting un-branded, generic clothes is generally much cheaper in India.
Most of the typical fruits and vegetables are much cheaper in India. More so when and if you happen to shop at the wholesale outlets.
Most of the Indian cooking based spices and masala are much cheaper in India than in the US. Same goes for our typical Indian snacks – lays chips (Indian flavors), Samosa, Chats, etc..
Good Indian food and street food is much much cheaper in India. Obviously, right? I’ve just not had a good Indian meal at any of the Indian restaurants in the US except possibly some of them in Chicago, the Devon Street area.
Cane based furniture are cheaper in India. Wooden toys (of Channapatna fame) are much much cheaper and better in India than they are in the US.
Dry fruits can at times be cheaper in India, but you’ll need to shop for them at the right places – like Chandni Chowk area in Old Delhi, Chickpet area in Bangalore etc.
Books are generally cheaper in India – that is, the paperback quality. I mostly anyway prefer the paperback quality. Many of the popular books can be bought for cheaper still when buying used.
Eye-glasses are generally cheaper in India.
My daily needs are cheaper in India – milk, bread, wheat flour, rice, ragi, etc. I also find them to be better in India.
Schooling (undergrad and grad) is cheaper in India.
It’s also easier to get free food in India than it is in the US! Remember Steve Jobs talking about the Hare Krishna folks? Since there are so many temples and guru dwaras in India, and they all serve ‘prasad’, ‘langars’, and food in general very often for free, it’s easier for many to possibly try and manage even with just that!
My jute bags that I use for grocery shopping is insanely cheaper in India compared to the equivalent one in the US.
Any and every manual labor – mechanic, electrician, plumber, domestic help, cook, etc – is much cheaper in India.
It’s also much easier and cheaper in India to get things – electrical, electronic, mechanical – fixed/repaired. Folks are very competent and imaginative here.
Bottled water is cheaper in India. Essential grains are cheaper in India. My preferred green tea is about 60% cheaper in India (without sale at that) than it is in the US!
asilentseer 