For many people, earning a six-figure monthly salary is considered a sign of success. However, a viral Reddit post has challenged that idea by showing how a high income does not always translate into a better quality of life.
The post was shared by a corporate employee who compared their experience of living in Bengaluru, a Tier-1 city, with life in their hometown, Udaipur, a Tier-3 city. According to the worker, they were earning around ₹1.4 lakh per month in hand while living in Bengaluru. Although the salary looked impressive on paper, the reality felt very different.
The individual explained that a large portion of their income was consumed by everyday expenses. They paid ₹30,000 in rent for a 1BHK apartment, around ₹6,000 on groceries, and approximately ₹3,000 each on services such as a maid and WiFi. Food delivery apps cost another ₹7,000 every month. Transportation expenses, including cabs, came to about ₹5,000, while weekend outings added another ₹8,000 to the monthly budget.
Beyond these visible expenses, the worker highlighted several hidden costs that quietly drained their income. These included online shopping through Amazon, spending on quick-commerce apps, random coffee purchases, convenience spending and impulse buying. Despite earning ₹1.4 lakh every month, a significant portion of the salary seemed to disappear simply because of the cost of living in a major city.
The employee also noted that while they were able to save some money, life often felt rushed, expensive and mentally exhausting. Eventually, they decided to move back to Udaipur. Although their income dropped significantly to around ₹40,000 per month, they said they surprisingly felt richer than before.
Here is his post:
Why ₹40k in my hometown felt richer than ₹1.4L in Bangalore
byu/Sabmohmayahaibro inIndiaMoney
The story quickly gained attention on social media, with many users sharing similar experiences. Several people agreed that returning to smaller towns or villages allowed them to save more money, spend more time with family and friends, and enjoy a less stressful lifestyle.
One user said they had moved from a Tier-1 city back to their village and had no plans to return to city life, as it saved both time and money. Another user shared that after quitting their job in 2023, they moved back to their village, finding even Kolkata too expensive compared to their hometown.
Some users, however, pointed out that living in a hometown often comes with advantages such as owning a house and receiving support from family members, including help with cooking and cleaning. Others argued that smaller towns naturally encourage less spending because there are fewer places to visit, fewer entertainment options and less exposure to consumerism compared to large cities.
The viral discussion has reignited a larger question: does earning more money automatically make people wealthier or does true wealth depend on lifestyle, peace of mind and the cost of living?
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