Bengaluru professional says ‘₹12 LPA salary feels like ₹4 LPA’ in city; ‘if your salary is less than ₹1 lakh, you shouldn’t come’

A Bengaluru professional's comments about life in the city have sparked a discussion on social media, particularly around whether a seemingly good salary is enough to maintain a comfortable lifestyle in an expensive urban centre.

Shivank Goel, a content creator and product manager in Bengaluru, shared his views in an Instagram video. He discussed his experience as a working professional in the city and argued that income can significantly influence how affordable Bengaluru feels.

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A post shared by Shivank Goel (@thezeroquotient)

‘If your salary is less than ₹1 lakh’

Goel said people earning less than ₹1 lakh a month should not move to Bengaluru. He based his argument on the cost of everyday activities, including eating out, attending events and pursuing hobbies.

“If your salary is less than 1 lakh, you shouldn't come to Bangalore. Because the definition of fun here is overspending and cafe culture. Every event is ticketed, and every hobby is a subscription,” he said.

‘12 LPA salary feels like 4 LPA’

Highlighting the city's expenses, Goel said the high cost of living can make an annual package feel considerably smaller once everyday spending is taken into account.

“The city is so commercialized that a 12 LPA salary feels like 4 LPA, and stepping out of your home is just one long bill,” he added.

Goel also pointed to housing costs, particularly security deposits, as another major expense for people looking to rent accommodation in Bengaluru.

₹2 lakh deposit and ₹600 cab ride

Travel was another expense highlighted by Goel. He said even short cab journeys can become costly, particularly when combined with Bengaluru's traffic.

“Paying a ₹2 lakh security deposit is normal without anyone questioning it, as is paying ₹600 for a 5 km cab ride where you spend an hour stuck in traffic,” Goel noted.

His comments focused on how housing, commuting and leisure expenses can add up for salaried professionals living in the city.

Why Goel mentioned Cubbon Park

Goel also addressed suggestions that residents could rely on free public spaces for entertainment. He specifically referred to Cubbon Park, saying that the time required to travel there can make it less convenient for some residents.

“Don't tell me to go to Cubbon Park, because that takes planning a day in advance and 4 hours out of my life,” he said.

Social media users react

“I come there for 10 days and i spend my monthly salary in that time,” one user said.

Another user disagreed with the idea that a high salary is essential to live in Bengaluru, pointing instead to personal budgeting and financial management.

“It's all about managing your expenses. I have stayed in bangalore with 33k salary in 2023 and I heard the same thing before coming here. I can definitely say that a big part of it is how you are managing the money."

Disclaimer: This article is based on a user-generated post on Instagram. ET.com has not independently verified the claims made in the post and does not vouch for their accuracy. The views expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of ET.com. Reader discretion is advised.