‘Rs 1 crore in US is like Rs 25 lakh in India’: Techie, who spent 15 years in America, says he saved more with one-fourth salary at home: Here’s why

An Indian professional who has spent the last 15 years in the United States has triggered a debate online after sharing a detailed comparison of his finances in the two countries. Nitin Malhotra said that although he now earns about $8,000 (around Rs 7.63 lakh) a month in the US, he believes he was able to save more when his annual salary in India was around Rs 25 lakh.

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Malhotra explained his calculations in a video posted on Instagram, pointing out that a much higher salary does not necessarily translate into significantly higher savings when living costs are also substantially greater.

Where does his US salary go?

According to Malhotra, his monthly income of about $8,000 is reduced considerably by housing, taxes, insurance and household expenses. His mortgage costs around $2,500 a month, while approximately $1,500 goes towards taxes. After these two expenses, about $4,000 remains.

The family's insurance costs then take another sizeable share. Malhotra said he spends roughly $500 a month on insurance for two cars and another $500 on health insurance covering himself, his wife and their child.

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A post shared by Nitin Malhotra | NRI Life in USA 🇺🇸 (@desidadinamerica)

Food is also a major expense. He estimated that his family spends between $1,000 and $1,200 every month on groceries and other food-related costs. On top of this, miscellaneous expenses, including medical bills and medicines, can cost another $500 to $800. Phone and internet bills add to the monthly outgo.

After adding up these expenses, Malhotra said he is typically left with around $1,000 to $1,200 in savings each month. That works out to approximately $12,000 to $14,400 a year, based on his estimate.

He said India offered a different equation

Malhotra then compared those figures with the time he was working in India and earning around Rs 25 lakh a year. He said his monthly rent was about Rs 30,000 and his overall day-to-day expenses were considerably lower. Based on his calculation, he could save roughly Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.25 lakh every month.

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The comparison, therefore, is not simply about salary. It highlights how housing, healthcare, transportation, taxes and other recurring costs can change the amount of money a person actually gets to keep.

Malhotra also clarified that his current US calculation does not include childcare costs because his wife is not working at present. If she starts working, he said daycare and related expenses could further increase the family's monthly spending.

Social media users debate US versus India

His comparison prompted mixed reactions online, with users pointing out that savings are only one part of the equation when comparing life in the US and India.One user argued that the US offers advantages such as better infrastructure, emergency services and less corruption, but said the fear of losing a job can be greater because living expenses are high.

Another commenter took a different view and suggested that the comparison changes if both spouses earn, arguing that a second income could significantly improve the family's ability to save.

The discussion reflects a broader question faced by many Indian professionals considering overseas careers: Does a higher salary automatically mean a better financial position?

Malhotra's experience suggests the answer depends on what remains after the bills are paid. A salary that looks dramatically larger after currency conversion can shrink quickly once the cost of maintaining a household in a different country is taken into account.

At the same time, the figures are based on one family's circumstances and cannot be treated as a universal comparison between the US and India. Housing costs, taxes, salaries, healthcare, childcare and lifestyle choices vary widely from one person to another.