At a glance
| Factor | Hong Kong | New Delhi |
|---|---|---|
| Average international school fees (secondary) | HKD 180,000 to 280,000 (USD 23,000 to 36,000) | INR 11L to 15L (USD 13,000 to 18,000) |
| Dominant curricula | British, IB, American, Canadian | American, IB, IGCSE, CBSE, ICSE |
| Cost of living vs Hong Kong (Numbeo, May 2026) | Baseline | About 60 percent lower |
| Family visa | Employer-sponsored dependant visa | Employment visa with X1 dependent visa |
| Expat share of population | About 8 percent | Less than 1 percent |
| Typical relocation timeline | 10 to 14 weeks | 10 to 14 weeks |
Hong Kong and New Delhi sit at opposite ends of nearly every metric expat families care about. Hong Kong is dense, expensive and has one of the deepest international school markets in Asia. New Delhi is much cheaper, with a far smaller true international cluster but very strong academic standards inside it. Climate and culture are wildly different.
Schools landscape side by side
Hong Kong's market has more than 50 international schools and the most diverse curriculum mix in Asia. ESF runs nine through-train schools at the value end of the market, with Harrow Hong Kong, Hong Kong International School, German Swiss International, Chinese International, Canadian International (CDNIS), and the French International School at the premium end. Demand for ESF South Island, Island School and Harrow Year 7 is intense; outside those, most families secure a place within two to three months.
New Delhi has a smaller but elite international cluster. The schools that dominate expat shortlists are the American Embassy School in Chanakyapuri, the British School in Chanakyapuri, the German School in Dwarka, the Lycee Francais and a small number of IB heavyweights such as Pathways Aravali and the Shri Ram School Aravali. AES and the British School dominate the diplomatic and corporate intake. Demand is tight at AES for limited foreign passport places, particularly Grade 1 and Grade 6.
Not sure which city fits your family?
Take the 5 minute school finder quiz, then run the cost calculator for both cities. You get shortlisted schools plus a side by side relocation budget in under ten minutes.
Fees and value for money
Hong Kong fees are bimodal. ESF publishes 2026 fees of HKD 90,000 to 120,000 across the system. Premium schools such as Harrow, HKIS, German Swiss and CDNIS publish secondary fees of HKD 220,000 to 280,000. Capital levies (debentures or nomination rights) at premium schools can run HKD 100,000 to 500,000, often partially refundable. See our Hong Kong fees guide for the full picture.
New Delhi is materially cheaper in headline terms. American Embassy School publishes 2026 senior fees of about INR 11L to 15L (USD 13,000 to 18,000) plus a one-off advance deposit of USD 2,000. The British School and Lycee Francais sit in similar bands. Indian premium IB and IGCSE schools (Pathways, Shri Ram) come in at INR 7L to 11L. Use the cost calculator to model a five year all-in number per child.
Curriculum availability
Both cities cover the global big three: IB, British (IGCSE and A Level) and American (AP and SAT). Hong Kong adds Canadian and French in significant volume. New Delhi tilts American and IB at the international tier, with IGCSE and CBSE the dominant Indian alternatives. The IB Diploma remains the safest portable credential in either city.
For curriculum-specific deep dives see the IB hub, British curriculum hub and American curriculum hub.
Neighbourhoods families pick
In Hong Kong, international school families cluster on Hong Kong Island around Mid-Levels, Pok Fu Lam and Repulse Bay for ESF and HKIS, on the South Side for South Island School, in Discovery Bay and Tung Chung for Discovery College, and in Sai Kung for Hong Kong Academy. A three-bedroom flat on the Mid-Levels runs HKD 60,000 to 100,000 per month, with village houses in Sai Kung and Discovery Bay slightly cheaper.
In New Delhi, expat families pick Chanakyapuri, Vasant Vihar, Shanti Niketan and Anand Niketan for AES and the British School, and Vasant Kunj or Gurgaon for Pathways and Shri Ram. A four-bedroom house with garden in Vasant Vihar runs INR 350,000 to 600,000 per month, while a comparable Gurgaon villa is slightly cheaper but adds school commute time.
Lifestyle and climate
Hong Kong is subtropical humid, with hot wet summers and mild dry winters between 12 and 22 degrees Celsius. The city is dense and walkable, with mountains and beaches accessible by MTR in under an hour. Hong Kong is materially safer in survey data than most Asian cities and has unmatched public transport. New Delhi has a more extreme climate, with cold winters around 8 to 20 degrees Celsius and very hot summers above 40 degrees Celsius, plus seasonal air quality issues from October to February that drive family routines. Delhi has the busiest airport in South Asia for direct routes; Hong Kong's airport remains a global super-hub.
Verdict: who picks which city
Choose Hong Kong if you want the deepest international school market in Asia, unmatched public transport, mountains and beaches within an hour of the city, and a career market that pays a premium. It suits families with older children who will benefit from the depth of ESF, Harrow, HKIS and CDNIS Diploma cohorts.
Choose New Delhi if your role is India-anchored, you can secure a place at AES or the British School and you want to plug into a culturally rich, diplomatic-heavy expat community at much lower cost of living. It is the stronger city for families who can manage the climate and air quality with confidence.
Most families we work with run both cities through the cost calculator before they commit. The five year all-in delta between similar schools and similar housing is usually USD 80,000 to 140,000 in New Delhi's favour, but Hong Kong pulls ahead on infrastructure and connectivity.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hong Kong or New Delhi cheaper for international school families in 2026?
New Delhi is dramatically cheaper, around 60 percent lower on cost of living once rent is included. School fees at AES and the British School undercut Hong Kong premium schools (Harrow, HKIS, CDNIS) by 30 to 50 percent.
Which city has better international schools?
Hong Kong has the deeper and broader market by a wide margin, with ESF as a value anchor and Harrow, HKIS and CDNIS at the premium end. New Delhi is concentrated at AES and the British School. Best fit depends on whether you need choice or a single strong anchor.
Is the family visa easier in Hong Kong or New Delhi?
Both are corporate-sponsored and reliable for white collar roles. Hong Kong's dependent visa is slightly faster and more flexible across employers. India's X1 dependent visa is well understood by HR teams but more administratively heavy.
How long does the school admissions process take in each city?
Hong Kong premium schools often run six to twelve weeks. ESF central allocation runs once a year on a published calendar. New Delhi's AES and British School typically respond in six to ten weeks, with foreign-passport priority places at AES tightest for Grades 1 and 6.
Where do most international school families live in each city?
Hong Kong families cluster on the Mid-Levels, the South Side, Discovery Bay and Sai Kung. New Delhi families pick Chanakyapuri, Vasant Vihar, Shanti Niketan and Gurgaon depending on the school they target.
