A viral Reddit post has sparked debate about what constitutes middle-class living in Bengaluru, highlighting the stark reality of high-income expenses. According to social media influencer and author Ankur Warikoo, the post revealed a salary breakdown of someone earning ₹70 lakh per annum in the city. The individual earns approximately ₹5.8 lakh monthly before taxes, resulting in an in-hand salary of ₹4.1 lakh per month after taxes. Warikoo noted that the person pays about ₹20 lakh annually in taxes, leaving ₹50 lakh remaining for living expenses.
The viral post detailed significant monthly financial obligations that consume most of the in-hand salary. As reported by LiveMint, the person pays ₹1,70,000 monthly for home EMI and ₹65,000 for car EMI. Additional non-negotiable expenses include ₹50,000 for international school fees for children and ₹15,000 for domestic help. After these major commitments, the individual is left with only ₹1 lakh to cover remaining expenses for the month.
The remaining budget allocation includes ₹30,000 for groceries, ₹15,000 for vacation fund, ₹25,000 for fuel and utility bills, and ₹15,000 for medical needs, shopping, and dining out. According to Warikoo's analysis, this leaves the individual with zero savings by the end of the month. The post has generated mixed reactions on social media, with some users defending the lifestyle choices while others questioning the financial sustainability.
A recent viral post by Neha Sharma, an Amazon tech professional and founder of JSLovers, highlighted stark contrasts between Indian and UK property markets. Sharma revealed that despite having two incomes while living in Bengaluru, buying even a flat felt financially difficult. In contrast, she managed to purchase an independent three-bedroom house in the UK within two years of relocating. The UK home-buying process was described as '100% transparent' with no demands for 'black money' or unaccounted cash transactions. The entrepreneur also mentioned receiving a 'first buyer' discount while purchasing the UK property, contrasting with the 20% down payment and 8% minimum interest rate required in India.
Financial planners typically recommend keeping rent and housing costs within 25% to 30% of take-home salary, with total EMI obligations ideally staying within 30% to 40% of monthly income. The viral case demonstrates how even high-income earners can struggle with cash flow management when major assets like homes and cars consume significant portions of income. Warikoo's assessment questions whether such a lifestyle qualifies as middle-class, stating that while the person may be middle-class by income, they are 'a fool' for not building savings despite earning substantial amounts.
