Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Bengaluru Salary Advice Sparks Debate Over Costly Lifestyle
Shivank Goel made a video about how expensive life can be in Bengaluru.
He said people earning less than Rs 1 lakh each month may find it hard to enjoy the city.
He mentioned costly rent, large security deposits and expensive taxi rides.
He also said many events and hobbies require people to pay money.
According to him, even a high yearly salary can feel much smaller after these expenses.
He said free places such as Cubbon Park may be difficult to reach for some residents.
Some people online agreed that Bengaluru has become too commercial.
Others said people can save money by sharing homes, choosing cheaper hobbies or using other transport.
The discussion is about whether the city itself is too expensive or whether spending choices are the main issue.
Shivank Goel said people earning under Rs 1 lakh monthly may struggle with Bengaluru’s expenses and lifestyle.
He cited rents, security deposits, cab fares, ticketed events, cafe culture and paid hobbies as major costs.
Goel said a Rs 12 lakh annual salary can feel like Rs 4 lakh because of the city’s commercialisation.
He argued that affordable, easily accessible recreational activities are limited, citing the time required to reach Cubbon Park.
Online responses were divided, with some agreeing and others citing cheaper housing, hobbies, meet-ups and activities.
- Who
- Shivank Goel, a Bengaluru-based product manager at an MNC and content creator, and social media users who responded to him.
- What
- Goel’s comments about Bengaluru’s high living and leisure costs sparked an online debate.
- When
- The discussion followed Goel’s Instagram video; the articles do not provide a specific date.
- Where
- Bengaluru, India, and online on Instagram.
- Why
- Goel said rent, deposits, transport, entertainment and commercialised leisure make the city difficult to afford, while critics said costs can be reduced through different choices.
Goel’s View
Critics’ View
Affordability
Goel’s View
Bengaluru’s rent, deposits, travel and paid leisure can make salaries below Rs 1 lakh a month difficult to manage.
Critics’ View
The city’s costs depend on lifestyle and choices, and residents can find less expensive ways to live and spend time.
Recreation
Goel’s View
Events, cafes and hobbies are often commercialised, while free options such as Cubbon Park may be inconvenient to reach.
Critics’ View
Bengaluru offers reasonably priced cafes, community groups, free workshops, meet-ups, festivals and inexpensive hobbies.
Responsibility for high costs
Goel’s View
The city needs better infrastructure and planning rather than having its problems attributed to migrants.
Critics’ View
Some critics said individuals should manage their finances, housing arrangements, transport and lifestyle choices instead of blaming the city.
- Person
- Shivank Goel
- Monthly salary threshold cited
- Rs 1 lakh
- Annual salary example
- Rs 12 lakh, which Goel said can feel like Rs 4 lakh
- Security deposit example
- Around Rs 2 lakh
- Cab fare example
- Rs 600 for a 5 km ride taking about an hour in traffic
- Free place discussed
- Cubbon Park
- Public reaction
- Mixed, with users both supporting and challenging Goel’s view
