A young IT professional’s detailed breakdown of the cost of
living in Bengaluru has ignited a heated conversation online about the
rising expenses in India’s tech capital.
The 22-year-old, who recently started his career
after college, posted on Reddit sharing how even a modest lifestyle in
Bengaluru seems unaffordable without earning ₹4–5 lakh per month after
taxes.
"Hi guys, 22M, just started my IT job in Bangalore last year after
college. I'm earning okayish right now but the future scares me," he
wrote, explaining his concerns about managing a sustainable and comfortable
life in the city.
Cost of Basic Lifestyle
The user laid out his monthly expenses in detail, painting a
stark picture:
- Rent
near a tech park: ₹60,000
- Electricity
and maintenance: ₹11,000
- Subscriptions,
Wi-Fi, and mobile bills: ₹5,000
- Car
EMI, petrol, and taxes: ₹30,000
- Groceries,
daily supplies, and house help: ₹20,000
Adding to this, he factored in future school fees for two
children, estimating it at around ₹20,000 per month.
The sum total of essential expenses reached ₹1.5 lakh per month — and
this excluded discretionary spending on gadgets, trips, or emergency expenses.
Highlighting the importance of financial security, the
professional also mentioned his plan to allocate ₹1.5 lakh per month towards
savings and retirement investments.
"This is just 3 lakhs if I don't include anything which could be
considered as one-time purchases," he explained, suggesting that achieving
financial stability would push the required monthly income even closer to ₹5
lakh.
Internet Reacts
The candid post resonated widely, drawing mixed reactions.
Some users were surprised by the breakdown. One commenter wrote, “Wow, I guess
I was stupid when I claimed 50–60K per month gets you a good life in a city
like Bangalore in this post.”
Others blamed lifestyle inflation. A user pointed out,
"It's idiots like these paying ₹60k on rent that makes life difficult for
the common people," suggesting that individuals willing to pay premium
rents contribute to overall cost increases in the city.
Several users also agreed that rising urban costs — driven
by real estate prices, private schooling, and lifestyle expectations — have
made it increasingly difficult for young professionals to save or plan for the
future.
A Larger Urban Challenge
Bengaluru, often dubbed India's "Silicon Valley,"
has seen a sharp rise in living expenses over the past decade. While the city
continues to attract global companies and tech talent, it is also grappling
with issues like traffic congestion, rental inflation, and rising educational
costs.
This viral discussion reflects a broader concern among
India's urban middle class: the struggle to balance career ambitions with
financial security and quality of life.
As one user summed it up:
"Surviving is easy in Bengaluru, thriving is becoming harder every
year."