Techie, just starting his career in Bengaluru, begins to worry if he can ever afford to get married

Bengaluru, India’s Silicon Valley, is a dream destination for aspiring tech professionals. But for many, the cost of turning that dream into a comfortable reality is beginning to look like a nightmare. A recent post by a 22-year-old software engineer working in Bengaluru has sparked conversation online about the true cost of urban survival—and it’s not for the faint-hearted.

The young techie, who started his IT job last year after graduating from college, shared a candid and eye-opening breakdown of what it takes to lead what he calls a “normal” middle-class life in the city. His conclusion? A post-tax income of Rs 4-5 lakh per month is the bare minimum to sustain a modest yet stable lifestyle in India’s most prominent tech hub.

Here’s where the money goes: A breakdown

The engineer based his estimate on real-world numbers—costs he either already incurs or expects to face soon. His breakdown paints a vivid picture of rising expenses in a so-called “Tier 1” city:


- Rent (Rs 60,000/month): A decent apartment near any major tech park in Bengaluru comes at a premium. For many, location and commute time are non-negotiable, and the cost reflects that.

- Utilities & Maintenance (Rs 11,000): Electricity bills, apartment maintenance fees, and water charges quickly add up.

- Subscriptions, Wi-Fi, and Mobile Plans (Rs 5,000): The digital necessities of a connected life.

- Car EMI, Petrol & Road Taxes (Rs 30,000): Personal mobility is almost a necessity in Bengaluru’s sprawling urban sprawl.

- Groceries, Household Supplies, and Domestic Help (Rs 20,000): Basic sustenance for a small family.

- School Fees for Two Children (Rs 20,000): Education, even at the mid-tier level, doesn’t come cheap.

- That alone amounts to Rs 1.5 lakh per month in lifestyle expenses—without considering emergencies, one-time purchases, vacations, or even weekend splurges.

Add investments, and the number jumps

The techie goes a step further by accounting for personal finance best practices. He estimates at least Rs 1.5 lakh per month should go towards investments—retirement planning, mutual funds, insurance, or saving for future goals.

That brings the monthly total to Rs 3 lakh, and he hasn’t even factored in medical bills, gadgets, leisure activities, or family outings.

What’s striking about the post is not extravagance—it’s the opposite. There are no flashy lifestyle choices, no over-the-top luxury expenses. The post reflects a simple desire: to raise a family, live near work, plan for the future, and maybe take a vacation or two a year.

But in 2025 Bengaluru, that modest ambition comes with a hefty price tag. To cover these costs comfortably, the techie estimates a minimum income of Rs 4 to Rs 5 lakh per month after taxes—a level of income that places someone in the top 1-2% of earners in the IT sector.