A social media post describing the experience of living in India’s tech hub caught the attention of people online, with several left stunned after learning about the salary and savings at the end of the month. A user who goes by the name @AlfinCodes described to X how his cousin was left with minimal savings despite having a lucrative package.
The post shared how his cousin, a computer science graduate, excitedly moved to Bengaluru for his first salaried software developer job ₹1.5 million per month. He added that the family at home initially believed the move meant he had “made it”.
“My cousin moved to Bengaluru for. ₹1.5 l per month technical work. Six months later, he realized something no one tells freshers. He graduated in computer science in his first role as a software developer and moved to Bengaluru for better opportunities with a salary of ₹1.5 L per month,” the user wrote.
“At home, everyone thought he’d nailed it. Big tech job. Big city. Big pay.”
The cost of living is rapidly changing perceptions
However, the post explained that the reality of life in Bengaluru quickly changed that perception. According to the user, a significant part of the salary was swallowed by the basic cost of living.
“The rent for a small apartment near the office was ₹36 thousand Groceries and groceries cost ₹13 thousand ₹15 thousand Taxis and cars with crazy traffic added more ₹6K up to ₹8 thousand Swiggys, coffee and weekends have arrived ₹10 thousand ₹12 thousand.”
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He added that a number of overlooked expenses accumulate over time.
“Then came the things no one talks about. Subscriptions. Medical expenses. Unexpected bills. Sending money back home.”
Limited savings until the end of the month
According to the post, the young professional only had limited savings left by the end of the month.
“Up to ₹15 lakh by the end of the month ₹The savings were barely 20 thousand ₹15 thousand ₹20 thousand.”
“That’s when he realized something that most people outside of big cities don’t see. ₹1L plus salary sounds huge in your hometown but in a city like Bengaluru it often means you are starting out. Big salary. Small savings. Welcome to Bengaluru life,” the post added.
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Social media users weigh in
The post drew several reactions from social media users, many of whom discussed the cost of living in the city.
One user asked, “Is Bengaluru that expensive?” while another suggested that rents could be reduced by better location selection. “Some of the rent could be reduced if you could find places a little further from the office space along the subway where he could get to his office, which would save quite a bit!”
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Others simply agreed with this sentiment. “It’s expensive here,” one person wrote, while another added: “Yes, it’s true. If you work in your hometown, you earn the most.”
Another user summed up the situation by calling it “The sad reality of Bengaluru”.
Another asked, “Is Bangalore that expensive?”
Another said: “The expenses listed are mostly excessive and discretionary. You can eliminate most of them.”
(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. Mint has not independently verified and does not endorse these claims.)
