A 22-year-old IT professional from Bengaluru has stirred a heated online debate after sharing a detailed breakdown of the high cost of living in the city.
Posting on Reddit, the young engineer expressed concerns about the financial pressures of urban life, despite maintaining a modest lifestyle.
“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, highlighting that sustaining a comfortable existence would require ₹4–5 lakh per month after taxes.
He listed key monthly expenses such as ₹60,000 for rent near a tech park, ₹11,000 for electricity and maintenance, ₹5,000 for subscriptions, Wi-Fi, and mobile bills, ₹30,000 for car EMI, petrol, and taxes, and ₹20,000 for groceries and house help. Factoring in future school fees for two children, estimated at ₹20,000 per month, his basic living costs reached around ₹1.5 lakh—excluding discretionary spending or emergencies.
The professional also emphasized the importance of financial planning, stating his goal to invest ₹1.5 lakh monthly towards savings and retirement. “This is just 3 lakhs if I don’t include one-time purchases like gadgets, trips, etc.,” he explained.
The post quickly went viral, prompting widespread discussion about rising urban costs, inflation, and the challenges faced by young professionals in India’s tech hubs.