Akola, India

Capital City

Living costs are a fraction of Mumbai's, but you'll need to adapt to extreme temperature swings between 2°C and a scorching 48°C in this major commercial hub of Maharashtra's Vidarbha region. The city sprawls across 128 square kilometers along the Morna River, with a population of 425,817 that's primarily Marathi-speaking.

A no-frills business center that's transforming from its agricultural roots, Akola has become a notable education hub with coaching centers preparing students for national exams. The city is administered by the Akola Municipal Corporation under a mayor-council system, with eight police stations maintaining order across the metropolitan area. While infrastructure is basic compared to India's tier-1 cities, its position as a key road and rail junction has helped maintain steady economic growth.