For anyone who has ever wondered where their salary goes at the end of the month, a software engineer from Bengaluru may have the answer. A detailed breakdown of their monthly expenses has gone viral on social media, with thousands of people debating whether it’s just the cost of living in India’s tech capital – or a lifestyle choice many young professionals want to make.Anjali, a software engineer at Atlassian, recently shared her May expense sheet on Instagram, revealing that she spent around Rs 71,000 in just one month. While Bengaluru’s rising rent has long been a topic of discussion, it wasn’t just its Rs 28,000 rent for a 1BHK flat that caught people’s attention. It was the rest of his spending that sparked an even bigger conversation about how today’s professionals choose to live.
It’s not just rent – it’s the lifestyle you add
Anjali’s monthly expenses breakdown offers an insight into the costs of everyday living in Bengaluru.His biggest fixed expense was Rs 28,000 on rent and maintenance, followed by about Rs 1,000 on water and electricity. Food expenses remain relatively modest, with Rs 6,000-7,000 spent on groceries and a cook.But the real talking point was his discretionary spending.She revealed that she spends Rs 27,000 to Rs 35,000 on shopping, dining out and weekend trips in just one month. Interestingly, this happened despite receiving free lunches at work and company-sponsored taxi services from his employer.For many social media users, the post highlights an important reality: while Bengaluru’s high rents are certainly tight on budgets, lifestyle choices often make an equally significant difference to monthly expenses.
Is Bengaluru really unaffordable?
The viral post quickly divided the internet.Some users have argued that spending more than Rs 70,000 a month reflects the reality of life in one of India’s most expensive cities, where housing costs continue to rise and young professionals prioritize convenience, experiences and work-life balance.Others disagree.Many indicated that nearly half of the monthly budget was spent on discretionary rather than essential expenses. Many users said the problem was not Bengaluru itself, but personal spending habits, suggesting that a more conservative lifestyle could significantly reduce monthly costs.The discussion also reopened a familiar debate among tech professionals — whether higher salaries in Bengaluru actually translate into better savings once rent, social travel and lifestyle expenses are taken into account.
A viral expense sheet that resonates with young professionals
Expense breakdowns like these have become increasingly popular on social media, offering a candid look at how young professionals manage their finances. For some, they are a source of budgeting inspiration. For others, they are a reminder of how differently people choose to spend their income.Anjali’s post struck a chord because it reflects a question that many working professionals quietly ask themselves every month: My city has become more expensive, or I’m just spending more than I realized. As India’s tech hubs continue to attract talent from across the country, conversations around affordability are expanding beyond just hiring. They are increasingly about lifestyle, priorities and what people are willing to pay for convenience, comfort and experiences.Whether Rs 71,000 a month feels excessive or perfectly reasonable depends on who you ask. But one thing is for sure – the viral expense sheet has brought Bengaluru’s cost of living back under the spotlight, with thousands of young professionals comparing not just salaries, but the life these salaries can afford.Disclaimer: This article is based on a social media post shared by an individual and is intended for informational purposes only. The expenses mentioned reflect the spending habits of a person and may not represent the average cost of living in Bengaluru or the financial situation of all professionals. Readers should consider their own income, lifestyle and financial goals when assessing living expenses.
