IIT Kharagpur Alumnus Breaks Down Metro City Living Costs: ₹20 Lakh/Year

Living in metropolitan cities offers numerous job opportunities and a perceived better quality of life, but it also comes with a significant financial burden. A recent post by Pritesh Kakani, an alumnus of IIT Kharagpur, ignited a debate on social media about the expenses incurred by a family of four in a metro city without factoring in luxury expenses.

Kakani’s post on X highlighted the breakdown of expenses, stating that ₹20 lakh a year is necessary for a family of four to sustain themselves in a metro city in India. He provided an Excel sheet screenshot detailing monthly and yearly expenses, including rent/EMI, school fees, food, and travel costs.

The post, shared on April 14th, garnered over 8.3 lakh views and sparked diverse opinions. Some contested Kakani’s assertion, arguing that ₹20 lakh a year is excessive for basic living expenses.

One commenter expressed disbelief, stating their family of four manages on a yearly income of seven lakh, including all expenses. Kakani responded by questioning how they manage in Mumbai with a rent of 40K per month on a seven lakh income.

The debate extended to the definition of luxury expenses, with differing perspectives on travel, pet costs, and entertainment subscriptions. While Kakani defended his calculations, others emphasized the importance of personal choices in managing expenses in metro cities.

The conversation underscores the complexity of urban living costs and the varying perceptions of what constitutes a comfortable lifestyle. As the debate continues, it prompts reflection on financial planning and the affordability of metro city living for different income brackets.