Bengaluru Professional Questions Cost of Living
A Bengaluru-based professional has sparked a social media discussion after advising salaried workers earning below ₹1 lakh a month to reconsider moving to the city.
Shivank Goel, described as a product manager at a multinational company and a content creator, shared his views in an Instagram video. His argument centred on what he sees as the growing cost of everyday life in Bengaluru, including housing, transport and leisure activities.
Goel suggested that even an annual salary of ₹12 lakh can feel significantly smaller because of the expenses associated with living in the city.
Rent, Transport and Entertainment Costs Highlighted
Among the examples raised by Goel were large rental security deposits and expensive cab journeys. He claimed that deposits of around ₹2 lakh have become normal in parts of Bengaluru and cited a ₹600 fare for a roughly five-kilometre cab journey as another example of the financial pressure residents can encounter.
He also argued that entertainment and socialising can become expensive when leisure revolves around cafés, ticketed events and paid activities.
Traffic adds another dimension to the problem, according to Goel. He said that even visiting a public space such as Cubbon Park may require considerable planning and travel time depending on where someone lives.
Online Users Offer Different Views
The video generated contrasting reactions online.
While some users related to concerns about Bengaluru’s expenses, others challenged the idea that enjoying the city necessarily requires heavy spending. One response pointed to affordable cafés, free workshops, community meetups, festivals and other activities that can offer lower-cost alternatives.
Another commenter suggested that rising expenses are fundamentally linked to demand and supply rather than being unique to Bengaluru.
Why the Debate Matters
The discussion reflects a broader question faced by professionals moving to major employment centres: how far does a higher salary actually translate into greater disposable income once housing, commuting and lifestyle expenses are considered?
However, Goel’s ₹1 lakh threshold should be understood as personal advice rather than a universal financial benchmark. The amount required to live comfortably in Bengaluru can vary considerably depending on housing choices, commute, family responsibilities, lifestyle and spending habits.
The debate therefore highlights two different experiences of the same city. Bengaluru can offer significant career and social opportunities, while individual experiences of affordability can differ sharply depending on where and how a person chooses to live.
