An Indian techie working at Google in New York has gone viral for revealing his monthly expenses despite earning a handsome annual compensation of around Rs 1.6 crore ($190,000). The software engineer, who posts anonymously on social media, broke down his lifestyle costs, sparking debates over the true meaning of ‘high income’ in one of the world’s most expensive cities.
The viral salary revelation
According to his detailed post, he earns approximately $190,000 per year, which includes base pay, bonus, and equity. While this figure translates to over Rs 13 lakh per month in gross terms, his actual take-home after federal, state, and local taxes stands around $9,800 (approx. Rs 8.2 lakh) per month.
“Everyone back home thinks I am earning in crores and living like a king, but the reality is far from it,” he wrote.
His monthly expense breakdown
The techie shared a structured view of his regular monthly expenditures:
| Category | Monthly Cost (USD) | Monthly Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BHK Manhattan) | $3,600 | ₹3,02,400 |
| Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Internet) | $250 | ₹21,000 |
| Groceries | $600 | ₹50,400 |
| Eating Out | $400 | ₹33,600 |
| Transportation (Subway + occasional Uber) | $250 | ₹21,000 |
| Phone | $80 | ₹6,700 |
| Subscriptions (Gym, Netflix, Spotify etc.) | $200 | ₹16,800 |
| Healthcare Insurance (employer subsidised) | $300 | ₹25,200 |
| Miscellaneous (shopping, travel fund, gifts) | $800 | ₹67,200 |
| Total Monthly Expenses | $6,480 | ₹5,44,300 |
Effective monthly savings
After these deductions, his effective monthly savings hover around $3,300 (approx. ₹2.75 lakh). He added:
“This is before any large emergency, family remittances, or yearly travel home to India, which can cost upwards of $2,000.”
The reality of ‘high income’ abroad
His revelation attracted diverse reactions:
- Some praised his discipline for saving nearly 30-35% of his income despite a costly city like New York.
- Others argued that Indian software engineers in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, or Pune with a ₹40-50 lakh annual salary often save more due to lower living costs.
- Many students and aspiring techies said it offered a ‘realistic perspective’ of the US dream, where salaries sound lucrative in INR terms but expenses and taxes are proportionately high.
Comparative cost of living: New York vs Bengaluru
| Expense Category | New York (USD) | Bengaluru (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BHK prime area) | $3,600 | ₹35,000 |
| Groceries | $600 | ₹6,000 |
| Utilities + Internet | $250 | ₹4,000 |
| Transportation | $250 | ₹3,000 |
| Eating Out (moderate) | $400 | ₹3,000 |
| Phone | $80 | ₹500 |
| Subscriptions | $200 | ₹1,500 |
| Healthcare Insurance | $300 | ₹1,500 (company covered) |
| Miscellaneous | $800 | ₹7,000 |
| Total Monthly Cost | $6,480 (₹5.44 lakh) | ₹61,500 |
The table illustrates why Indian software professionals abroad often emphasise that their cost of living is 8-10x higher, even if their nominal salary is 3-4x an Indian techie’s earnings.
Why do techies continue to prefer US jobs?
Despite such expensive living, Indian engineers continue to seek placements in US tech giants for reasons including:
- Global exposure to cutting-edge projects and AI, cloud, and blockchain ecosystems.
- Higher savings in USD enable better remittance value for families in India.
- Career mobility into leadership and product management roles with international credibility.
- Lifestyle aspirations, from world-class healthcare to cultural experiences.
Challenges faced despite high pay
The engineer explained his worries about:
- H1B visa dependency and uncertainty of green card processing.
- Healthcare costs in emergencies despite insurance.
- Retirement planning, as savings beyond day-to-day living need disciplined investment to sustain long-term US residency.
The myth vs reality: Net worth accumulation
Many Indian students and young professionals equate a crore-plus US salary with instant millionaire status. However, as personal finance experts explain, net worth depends on savings rate, investments, and asset creation, not just high cash flow income.
Advice to aspirants from his experience
The Google employee summarised his learnings:
“Don’t move abroad just for money. Move if you want global exposure, professional growth, and cultural experiences. Financially, if you plan well, you will be comfortable but not ‘filthy rich’ overnight.”
He suggested aspiring techies prepare mentally to:
- Adjust lifestyle expectations, avoiding peer pressure to upgrade cars, apartments, or gadgets rapidly.
- Prioritise financial discipline with investments in 401(k), Roth IRA, and index funds to build true wealth.
- Maintain mental health and community bonds, as living alone in a high-pressure environment can be challenging.
Indian tech diaspora reacts
His post triggered thousands of comments, with Indian tech diaspora sharing similar insights:
- @rashmi.codes: “Same experience here in Seattle. Rent is $2,500 for a small place. But still grateful for the learning opportunities.”
- @vivek_AIengineer: “We save but we don’t become crorepatis instantly as relatives think back home. Reality check post appreciated.”
Final thoughts
His honest breakdown reflects the evolving mindset of young Indian professionals, who are now keen to understand cost-adjusted purchasing power parity (PPP) rather than just nominal dollar salaries. It also sheds light on the need to plan personal finance holistically, whether one works in New York or Noida.
Disclaimer
The expenses and income figures are based on self-reported estimates by the techie and may vary depending on exact location, lifestyle, taxes, employer benefits, and personal choices. Readers are advised to consult professional financial advisors before making career and investment decisions based on these indicative calculations.
