A viral Instagram video by a 23-year-old engineer working at JPMorgan Chase has once again put the spotlight on the rising cost of living in Bengaluru. The clip, which breaks down her monthly spending, has triggered a fresh wave of online chatter around whether young professionals are really earning enough to live comfortably in metro cities.
Social media is now full of people openly sharing their salaries, expenses, and savings. These posts often travel fast because they show what life actually costs beyond headlines and salary figures. From tech workers to freelancers, many are now putting their finances out in the open, inviting both curiosity and comparison.
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This latest video fits right into that trend, but with a Bengaluru twist.
Her biggest cost is rent at Rs 17,000. She spends another Rs 2,000 on household help. Groceries cost her around Rs 5,000, while eating out ranges between Rs 3,000 and Rs 6,000 depending on the month.
Shopping adds another Rs 3,000 to Rs 7,000. She also keeps aside Rs 2,000 to Rs 6,000 for miscellaneous needs like gifts and medicines. Travel expenses stay between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000.
Put together, her total monthly spending falls in the range of Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000.
That one line struck a chord online.
Internet reacts: ‘Pretty standard’ vs ‘big city pressure’
The video quickly turned into a discussion thread on metro living costs.
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One user wrote, "Big city means big expenses dear."
Another commented, "You are doing fine, this is pretty standard for a metro city lifestyle."
They also raise a simple but important question—how much is “enough” to live comfortably in a place like Bengaluru? For now, the answers seem to vary, but the curiosity around them is only growing.
Social media is now full of people openly sharing their salaries, expenses, and savings. These posts often travel fast because they show what life actually costs beyond headlines and salary figures. From tech workers to freelancers, many are now putting their finances out in the open, inviting both curiosity and comparison.
Also Read: Archana Puran Singh reveals how Kapil Sharma Show stalled her four-decade-long acting career, says 'nobody is offering roles'
This latest video fits right into that trend, but with a Bengaluru twist.
Inside a Bengaluru engineer’s monthly budget
In the video, Arushi Garg, 23, shares a clear breakdown of where her money goes every month.Her biggest cost is rent at Rs 17,000. She spends another Rs 2,000 on household help. Groceries cost her around Rs 5,000, while eating out ranges between Rs 3,000 and Rs 6,000 depending on the month.
Shopping adds another Rs 3,000 to Rs 7,000. She also keeps aside Rs 2,000 to Rs 6,000 for miscellaneous needs like gifts and medicines. Travel expenses stay between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000.
Put together, her total monthly spending falls in the range of Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000.
“Am I cooked?”—a question many relate to
Garg captioned her video, "Am I cooked?", capturing a feeling many young earners quietly deal with—uncertainty about whether they are managing their money well enough.That one line struck a chord online.
Internet reacts: ‘Pretty standard’ vs ‘big city pressure’
The video quickly turned into a discussion thread on metro living costs.
Also Read: From rejected Rs 4 cr job offer to Rs 570 cr startup: How this IIT founder from a poor background convinced parents to win big
One user wrote, "Big city means big expenses dear."
Another commented, "You are doing fine, this is pretty standard for a metro city lifestyle."
Why such videos keep going viral
The bigger takeaway is not just one person’s budget. These videos are becoming a mirror for a generation trying to balance salaries, lifestyle, and savings in expensive cities.They also raise a simple but important question—how much is “enough” to live comfortably in a place like Bengaluru? For now, the answers seem to vary, but the curiosity around them is only growing.