Bangalore, often dubbed India’s "Silicon Valley", is home to some of the country’s highest-paid tech professionals. But amid high-paying jobs and booming startups, the cost of living has become a recurring concern for many. Recently, a principal software engineer sparked a heated debate online after revealing that despite earning an annual salary of ₹1.8 crore, he struggles to make ends meet in the city.
"Even ₹8.3 Lakh a Month Feels Inadequate in Bangalore"
The engineer, Aas Vora Jain, took to LinkedIn to share his frustration, stating that his lavish salary isn’t enough to sustain his lifestyle in Bangalore. After taxes and deductions, he receives roughly ₹1 crore per year in hand—about ₹8.3 lakh per month.
But where does all that money go? Jain shared a breakdown of his monthly expenses, and the numbers paint a very different picture of urban affluence.
Jain’s Monthly Expenses in Bangalore:
- Rent for a 3BHK in Indiranagar – ₹1.5 lakh
- BMW/Mercedes EMI – ₹80,000
- Domestic help & laundry – ₹15,000
- Food orders (Swiggy/Zomato) – ₹70,000
- Cocktails and 5-star dinners – ₹1.2 lakh
- Weekend trips (Goa, Dubai) – ₹1 lakh
- Branded white T-shirts – ₹10,000
- Organic wine – ₹50,000
- Fitness + personal trainer – ₹12,000
- Crypto & stock investments – ₹1 lakh
Total: ₹7.07 lakh/month
Despite the list adding up to ₹7.07 lakh, Jain claimed that his monthly spending touches around ₹8.87 lakh, pushing his finances into the red zone.
"Is Bangalore the Problem—or the Lifestyle?"
Jain ended his post with a tongue-in-cheek question: “What is wrong with Bengaluru?” The internet had a field day with it.
One user quipped, “Good news! Under the New India Scheme, you can now withdraw your EPF from an ATM—perfect for funding Goa trips and organic wine.” Another sarcastically pointed out that Jain might be chasing "engagement" more than financial balance.
Some, however, took a more serious tone.
A Reality Check for the Urban Affluent?
Jain’s viral post has reignited a debate around lifestyle inflation, financial discipline, and the rising cost of urban living. While his spending habits may seem extravagant to many, they reflect a growing trend among high-income professionals who find themselves caught between aspiration and sustainability.
So is Bangalore unaffordable, or are luxury lifestyles digging the hole deeper? That’s a question only individual priorities can answer.
