‘I don’t drink, smoke, or…’: How this 22-year-old Bengaluru boy manages on just Rs 20,000 a month, his budget breakdown is going viral

At a time when Bengaluru is often portrayed as financially overwhelming due to its skyrocketing rental costs, inflated utility bills, and daily traffic woes, an unexpected story has captured the internet’s attention. A 22-year-old Reddit user has revealed his detailed monthly expense breakdown while living independently in the Whitefield area of Bengaluru, sparking widespread conversation.
His post, titled “6 months of living alone in India—here's what my monthly expenses look like”, was shared on the subreddit r/personalfinanceindia and has since gone viral. What’s striking is not just the transparency of the budget but the feasibility: he claims to live comfortably on Rs 20,000 per month in a city where many professionals struggle even with a salary of Rs 20 lakh per annum.

According to the Reddit post, the individual has been living alone for six months and maintains a strict but functional monthly budget. Here's the cost division he shared:
Rent: Rs 9,000

Food: Rs 8,000

Transport: Rs 2,000

Miscellaneous: Rs 2,000

The total monthly expense comes to approximately Rs 21,000, slightly above the Rs 20,000 mark, but the figure is rounded off as a functional benchmark for affordability.


What makes his budgeting approach sustainable is not merely expense-cutting, but a lifestyle driven by intentional choices. The Redditor acknowledges that his lifestyle isn’t lavish. He doesn't smoke, rarely drinks, and avoids frequent partying—habits that typically increase monthly spending. However, he is quick to clarify that his choices are personal and not meant to be prescriptive. He encourages others to enjoy their 20s in their own way, stating, “Don’t be like me—go out and enjoy your 20s if you are that kind of person.”

The post quickly resonated across Reddit and beyond, with users commenting on how drastically different their own monthly expenses are. Some shared their own struggles with budgeting, while others expressed disbelief at how he manages to live comfortably in such a high-cost city.
A user suggested posting it to r/Bangalore, where many users claim even Rs 20 LPA isn’t sufficient to get by. Another user from Hyderabad, also aged 22, shared that he earns Rs 8 LPA but has managed to save Rs 45,000 monthly while preparing for higher studies abroad. Some questioned his food budget, suggesting it could be reduced further by meal prepping or cooking daily.
The diversity of responses indicates a broader concern among young urban professionals navigating cost pressures in Indian metro cities.

The Redditor’s account stands in stark contrast to recent posts on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter), where software engineers and tech professionals are vocal about how unaffordable Bengaluru has become. The key pain points include:



A now-viral LinkedIn post by software professional Harish A N described living in Bengaluru as an “endurance test,” echoing sentiments shared by many young residents.

While Bengaluru continues to grow as a tech and startup hub, the gap between income and affordability is widening. The Redditor’s post highlights a lesser-seen narrative—that with shared resources, disciplined planning, and minimalistic living, it is still possible to survive in one of India’s most expensive cities.
However, the story also subtly underscores Bengaluru’s growing affordability crisis. Many fresh graduates, particularly those moving from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, are finding it increasingly difficult to secure reasonable accommodation and build savings without familial or roommate support.