Techie explains why moving from Delhi to Bengaluru for more money may not pay off

An Instagram video by a tech professional compared a Rs 1 lakh salary across Bengaluru, Delhi, Noida and Gurugram. It started a discussion over how rent, travel and relocation costs affect actual savings.A techie gave a detailed breakdown of how moving from Delhi to Bengaluru may not be economical. (Photos: Instagram/@sumitafteroffice)A higher salary in Bengaluru may look like a straightforward career win, but one techie’s cost of living breakdown has detailed how much of that extra income actually stays in your pocket. His argument is simple: a bigger package does not always mean bigger savings.In an Instagram video, Sumit compared what earning Rs 1 lakh a month could look like across Bengaluru, Delhi, Noida and Gurugram. He urged professionals considering a move to look beyond the salary figure and factor in rent, food, commuting and the cost of travelling home.“If you think in Bengaluru the salary is very good, then just hear me out,” he said, addressing people living in Delhi, Noida and other parts of the country who may be considering relocating for a better-paying job.According to him, the difference can quickly get eaten up by everyday expenses. “The salary is good there, but the cost of living is very high. Rent is very high, travel expenses are very high,” he said. He also pointed to an expense that may not immediately feature in a relocation calculation, travelling back home.For someone living away from their family, Sumit argued that frequent trips can become an additional financial burden. “You might have to come back to your family very frequently, so you just have one option: to take a flight,” he said, adding that a round trip could cost around Rs 20,000. Putting these expenses together, he estimated that rent, food and travel in Bengaluru could cost around Rs 10 lakh a year.His larger point was about the actual financial gain from a salary hike. “Even if you will get 10 lakh of rupees more in your package in Bengaluru, and you are living in Delhi with your family, then you will not be able to save that much amount of money,” he said.Watch the video here:The video also prompted viewers to question whether Bengaluru was being compared fairly with the other cities.While some agreed that relocation decisions should account for actual savings rather than CTC alone, others pointed out that expenses vary significantly depending on neighbourhood, lifestyle and whether someone lives alone or with family.Sumit’s comparison ultimately raised a familiar question for professionals weighing job offers: is a Rs 10-lakh hike really a Rs 10-lakh gain if a large part of it goes towards the cost of living?For many, the answer may depend less on the salary printed on the offer letter and more on what remains after the month is over.- EndsPublished By: Srimoyee ChowdhuryPublished On: Aug 31, 2026 17:02 IST