As office fit-out costs climb across India’s Tier-1 cities, Thiruvananthapuram is emerging as a cost-efficient alternative for companies reassessing workplace strategy and expansion plans.
With a growing IT ecosystem and significantly lower real estate and operating costs, Kerala’s capital is increasingly positioning itself as an attractive destination for technology firms. Interactions with leading interior fit-out firms such as Noster and iScape Interiors show average office fit-out costs in Thiruvananthapuram at $30–35 per sq. ft., well below metro benchmarks.
According to Cushman & Wakefield, average office fit-out costs in major cities are far higher: Bengaluru ($57), Chennai ($55), Delhi ($59), Hyderabad ($57), Kolkata ($55), Mumbai ($66), Pune ($57) and Ahmedabad ($57) per sq. ft.
The city’s rental advantage adds to its appeal. Colliers India’s City Profiling Report noted that office rentals in Thiruvananthapuram range between ₹40 and ₹65 per sq. ft., making it around 35 per cent more cost-competitive than Tier-1 cities and about 7 per cent cheaper than other Tier-II locations.
Colliers had also identified Thiruvananthapuram as an emerging hub for Global Capability Centres, governance, research and technology in South India, citing its blend of institutional depth and innovation-led growth.
Business activity indicators also point to rising momentum. The international airport at Thiruvananthapuram recorded its highest-ever monthly passenger traffic in January 2026, handling 4.5 lakh passengers and 2,751 aircraft movements, reflecting stronger connectivity and growing corporate movement.
Sandip Kumar, CEO of Technopark, said Thiruvananthapuram combines intellectual capital, institutional strength and quality of life with lower operational costs, making it an attractive destination for technology investments.
He said infrastructure projects such as Vizhinjam International Seaport, the Coastal Highway and the Outer Area Growth Corridor, along with major Technopark developments, are strengthening the city’s long-term appeal for global technology firms.
Published on April 27, 2026