The Brutal Truth About Urban India’s Rising Cost of Living
A recent Reddit post by a 22-year-old software professional in Bengaluru has struck a chord with working millennials across India. In his candid breakdown of monthly expenses and financial anxieties, he’s voiced what many silently feel but rarely say out loud: Even ₹5 lakh per month post-tax might not be enough to lead a “normal” life in India’s Tier 1 cities.
Let’s unpack this reality and why it’s sparking such a strong reaction online.
“I’m Earning Okayish, But the Future Scares Me”
That’s how the techie begins his post—on a note of quiet anxiety. Just a year into his first job, he’s already staring down the long tunnel of adulthood: rent, EMIs, groceries, children, savings, and retirement.
He insists he’s not aspiring to luxury. “I’m not into flashy stuff,” he clarifies. All he wants is a life with stability, basic comfort, and a future he can prepare for.
A Sharp Expense Breakdown
Here’s how his monthly budget looks, assuming a modest middle-class lifestyle:
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Rent near tech parks: ₹60,000
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Electricity, maintenance: ₹11,000
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Internet, mobile, subscriptions: ₹5,000
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Car EMI, fuel, taxes: ₹30,000
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Groceries, household help, supplies: ₹20,000
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School fees (2 children): ₹20,000
Total recurring monthly cost: ₹1.5 lakh
And this doesn’t include holidays, gadgets, medical emergencies, or other one-time expenses.
The Hidden Cost: Future-Proofing
Here’s where it gets real. In addition to everyday costs, the user allocates:
₹1.5 lakh/month towards investments, retirement funds, children’s education, and long-term goals.
Add it all up, and the total comes to ₹3 lakh/month just to lead a modest, stable life in a big city.
Now factor in entertainment, emergency funds, inflation, or a desire to ever upgrade your life—and suddenly, ₹4–5 lakh/month post-tax doesn’t feel like excess. It feels like survival.
Is This Exaggerated—or Just Realistic?
The responses to his post have been mixed. Some say his numbers are inflated—especially the rent and school fees. Others argue he’s underestimating how expensive it is to raise kids, own a car, or build real wealth in an Indian metro.
But what stands out is the emotion behind the post. The anxiety. The sense that “making it” in modern India isn’t about luxury anymore—it’s about keeping your head above water.
Urban India’s Middle-Class Squeeze
The Reddit post is a symptom of a larger trend, what many are calling the middle-class squeeze. Here’s what that looks like:
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Incomes haven’t kept pace with housing, education, and healthcare costs.
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Rent and EMIs swallow a large portion of take-home pay.
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Childcare and education are increasingly expensive.
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Lifestyle inflation hits early in tech hubs.
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Social pressure to maintain a certain standard of living is constant.
For many millennials, even a high salary can feel like a tightrope walk—one medical emergency or layoff away from crisis.
“You Have to Make It to the Top Brackets of IT to Live Such a Life”
That line from the techie says it all. This isn’t a rant against capitalism or a call for pity. It’s a quiet realization that what used to be “aspirational” is now just the minimum.
And if ₹5 lakh/month is the new survival income in Tier 1 cities, what does that mean for millions earning far less?
So, What’s the Way Forward?
There are no easy answers. But his post opens up important conversations:
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Should we rethink what counts as “middle class” in urban India?
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Is home ownership still a realistic dream?
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How do we balance ambition with mental and financial well-being?
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Can urban infrastructure and housing become more affordable?
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What role should employers, governments, and individuals play in this puzzle?
Final Thoughts
This isn’t just a personal post. It’s a mirror. It reflects the quiet stress of a generation navigating high hopes and high costs in a rapidly changing India.
Because in cities like Bengaluru, Delhi, or Mumbai, earning well doesn’t always mean living well. And the question that’s now echoing across young professionals is chillingly simple:
What does it truly cost to feel secure anymore?
