22-year-old Bengaluru boy lives comfortably on ₹20,000 a month. His budget breakdown stuns the internet

At a time when Bengaluru is making headlines for its spiraling cost of living and choking traffic nightmares, a refreshingly unexpected voice has emerged from the chaos—and it’s not a financial expert or a government official. It’s a 22-year-old Redditor who, in a quiet corner of the internet, has shared a breakdown of his monthly expenses that has stunned, inspired, and even shamed many into reevaluating their own spending habits.

His post, titled “6 months of living alone in India—here's what my monthly expenses look like,” on subreddit r/personalfinanceindia, is going viral for all the right reasons. The reason? He’s living comfortably in Bengaluru—the city known for skyrocketing rents and inflationary dread—on a modest budget of ₹20,000 per month.

₹20,000 for a Comfortable Life? Yes, Really
Let’s break it down. The anonymous Redditor, who has been living alone in Bengaluru’s Whitefield area for the past six months, claims he spends around ₹8,000 on food, ₹9,000 on rent (thanks to a smart room-sharing arrangement with two friends in a 2BHK flat that costs ₹23,000 total), ₹2,000 on travel (sticking to public transport and Rapido), and another ₹2,000 on miscellaneous essentials.

What’s more impressive is his attitude. He admits his lifestyle isn’t lavish, but it’s “definitely manageable.” He doesn’t drink, smoke, or party often—choices that obviously influence the affordability of his routine. But instead of preaching frugality, he encourages others to live their 20s to the fullest if they wish to. “Don’t be like me—go out and enjoy your 20s if you are that kind of person,” he adds with endearing honesty.

A Post That Sparked Self-Reflection
It didn’t take long for the post to spark a digital dialogue. “I’m almost the same age and boy, I actually spend a lot. I just realised that,” commented one user. Another suggested he cross-post it to r/Bangalore, “where people cry that even ₹20 LPA isn’t enough.” Some offered suggestions on cutting down food costs further by cooking at home, while others reflected on their own struggles, often spending double or more despite earning less at the same age.

What truly resonated, however, was how this young man’s story became a subtle yet powerful critique of a city grappling with its identity—a city that’s slowly edging out its middle class.

Bengaluru’s Cost Crunch: A City in Crisis?
The post stands in stark contrast to recent viral rants on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter), where professionals are lamenting how Bengaluru has become financially unlivable. From rent hikes to ballooning utility bills, the city once hailed as India’s Silicon Valley is now facing serious affordability concerns.
Harish A N, a software professional, recently grabbed attention with a widely shared LinkedIn post highlighting how a modest 2BHK in areas like Whitefield and Koramangala now costs upwards of ₹40,000 a month—nearly double what it did just a year ago. Even public transport has grown costlier, with Namma Metro fares touching ₹90, while diesel now hovers near ₹91/litre. Essentials like milk and electricity are on a steady rise.

For newcomers, particularly fresh graduates from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, living alone in Bengaluru is becoming a trial by fire. Harish’s post described it as “an endurance test,” where the promise of financial stability is fast being replaced by a struggle to stay afloat.
The Bigger Picture: A Tale of Two Cities
What makes the Reddit post so compelling is not just the numbers, but the narrative it counters. While headlines warn of Bengaluru becoming another Mumbai in terms of cost, here is a young man living on his own terms—thoughtfully, responsibly, and affordably. He’s not escaping the harsh realities but navigating them with practical wisdom.

And it raises a larger question: Is the problem always the city, or can creative choices make a difference? Yes, systemic issues like stagnant wages and inflation are very real, but this story suggests that, sometimes, smart decision-making and a strong support system (like sharing rent with friends) can still carve out breathing space in an otherwise suffocating metropolis.

Surviving or Thriving? You Decide
The Redditor’s post is more than just a monthly budget. It’s a gentle reminder that even in cities where the cost of breathing feels taxed, there are still ways to live decently without spiraling into financial anxiety.

It’s also a reality check: Bengaluru may not be for everyone, but for those who learn how to play by its new rules, it can still offer the charm, the opportunities—and yes, the weather—that continue to keep people from saying goodbye.

As one Redditor aptly put it: “The cost of freedom is high. But if you’re smart about it, it doesn’t have to cost your peace.”