Techie realises earning well does not mean living well. So he gives up job with monthly take home salary of Rs 1.2 lakh for Rs 40,000 monthly job

For many professionals, a six-figure monthly salary is seen as a sign of success. But a software professional's recent post on social media has sparked a wider discussion about whether earning more money automatically translates into a better quality of life. The techie, who once earned around ₹1.2 lakh per month while working in Mumbai, said he eventually realised that a high income did not necessarily make him feel financially comfortable or mentally at peace.

High salary, but rising expenses

In a post shared on X, techie Shubh Jain reflected on his experience of living and working in Mumbai. He explained that while his monthly take-home salary of around ₹1.2 lakh appeared impressive on paper, a large part of it went toward everyday expenses.

Sharing a breakdown of his spending, Jain wrote: "I was working in Mumbai and earning around ₹1.2L/month in hand. Honestly, on paper it sounded amazing. But by month end, it rarely felt like six figures."


Using Mumbai and his hometown as examples of the difference between Tier 1 and Tier 3 cities, he listed several regular expenses. According to him, rent for a one-bedroom apartment cost around ₹30,000 a month, while groceries, household services, utility bills, food delivery, transportation and social outings added significantly to the total monthly spending.

He also pointed out that many costs are not immediately visible. "And then there are the invisible spends like amazon orders, quick commerce apps, random coffees, convenience spending, impulse buys etc."

Paying for convenience becomes a habit

According to Jain, the fast-paced nature of life in a large city often pushes people toward convenience-based spending. Long work hours and daily stress can make people rely more on food delivery apps, cab services and quick-commerce platforms.

He explained: "The funny part is, even after earning ₹1.2L, a huge chunk quietly disappeared into just existing in a Tier 1 city."

While he was still able to save some money, he said life often felt expensive and rushed. "You slowly start paying for convenience because you’re too mentally exhausted otherwise." He further added: "Cooking? Order food. Grocery store far away? Blinkit. Too tired after work? Cab. Stressful week? Weekend spending."

What Mumbai offered beyond money

Despite the challenges, Jain acknowledged that living in Mumbai gave him valuable opportunities and personal growth.

"That said, Mumbai gave me things my hometown probably couldn’t at that stage: Career growth, Exposure, Networking, Confidence, Independence."

He said the city played an important role in shaping his professional journey and helping him become more independent.

Why a lower salary felt better

After moving back to his hometown, Jain initially earned much less, around ₹40,000 per month. Surprisingly, he said he began feeling more financially secure and emotionally satisfied despite the lower income. "And the weird part is I genuinely started feeling richer here!"

Describing life back home, he highlighted factors that reduced both financial pressure and stress. "Bigger space (no rent pressure), Family nearby, Pets around me all day, Slower mornings, No unnecessary spending, Home cooked food, More mental peace, More actual time."

According to him, a simpler lifestyle naturally made it easier to save money as well. Jain clarified that he was not suggesting Tier 3 cities are better than Tier 1 cities. Instead, he said both offer different advantages depending on a person's priorities and stage of life.

Summing up his experience, he wrote: "Mumbai made me grow professionally but my hometown made life feel human again." He concluded with a thought that resonated with many social media users: "At some point I realised there’s a huge difference between earning well and living well."