A Bengaluru resident’s candid breakdown of her monthly expenses has gone viral on social media, highlighting growing concerns about the rising cost of living in one of India’s most expensive cities.
Shruti, who lives alone in a one-bedroom apartment in HSR Layout, shared a video on Instagram explaining how a significant portion of her income goes towards rent and essential living expenses.
The post quickly attracted attention from users who related to the financial challenges of living independently in Bengaluru.
₹36,000 rent for a 1BHK
In the video, Shruti revealed that she pays ₹36,000 per month as rent for her 1BHK apartment in HSR Layout.
“I stay in HSR and my rent is ₹36,000. That’s the amount just to exist in the flat,” she said.
However, rent is only one part of her monthly spending. She explained that additional costs such as rented appliances, utilities, groceries, transport and fitness activities significantly increase her overall expenses.
Monthly expenses cross ₹60,000
According to the breakdown shared online, she spends around ₹5,000 on rented appliances and another ₹4,000 on electricity and househelp services.
Food and groceries cost between ₹7,000 and ₹8,000 a month, while travel expenses range from ₹4,000 to ₹5,000. Fitness-related expenses, including gym memberships and classes, add another ₹5,000 to her monthly budget.
Combined, her regular expenses amount to nearly ₹60,000, excluding discretionary spending on dining out, coffee and shopping.
Reflecting on her lifestyle, Shruti remarked that while independent living in Bengaluru can be enjoyable, it often comes at a substantial financial cost.
Social media users react
The post triggered a flood of reactions, with many Bengaluru residents sharing similar experiences of rising rents and increasing day-to-day expenses.
Some users expressed surprise at the rental amount for a one-bedroom apartment, while others noted that premium localities such as HSR Layout have witnessed steep increases in housing costs in recent years.
The discussion has once again brought attention to affordability concerns in Bengaluru, where escalating rents, maintenance charges and lifestyle expenses continue to affect young professionals and first-time renters.