‘A family of three needs Rs 2.5 lakh’: Russian woman says Bengaluru now as expensive as Europe

The rising cost of living in Bengaluru is once again in the spotlight after a social media post by a Russian expatriate went viral, sparking a lively debate online.

Yulia Aslamova, who has lived in the city for more than a decade, shared her personal experience of how expenses for a family of three were high, prompting comparisons with European cities.

Yulia moved to Bengaluru 11 years ago for a work project. “At the time, it all made so much sense to me,” she wrote on Instagram. “Maybe because my currency was so strong, I was dividing all the prices in half.” She recalled renting a two-bedroom apartment near HSR Layout for Rs 25,000 and taking a Meru taxi to the airport for Rs 700 – a stark contrast to the prices you see today.

Fast forward to 2025, Yulia estimates that a family of three now needs at least Rs 2.5 lakh per month to maintain a comfortable lifestyle. She shared a detailed breakdown of her monthly expenses: rent Rs 1,25,000, school fees Rs 30,000, food and household expenses Rs 75,000, domestic help Rs 45,000 (covering multiple employees), health and fitness Rs 30,000, and petrol Rs 5,000.

Despite the high costs, Yulia remains optimistic about life in Bengaluru. “I’m not complaining. I work harder and party harder. I love making money, spending it, experiencing life, and growing more. I’m so grateful to be living in India in 2025, a country with endless opportunities,” she said.

Her post quickly sparked reactions from locals, with many questioning the numbers. “I have lived here for over 20 years and have never spent even half of this amount in a month. Rent 35 lakhs, household help 5.5 lakhs, groceries 14 lakhs, fuel, internet, phone 4 lakhs, dog 4 lakhs, eating out 5 lakhs. Lifestyle is the big factor here,” commented a Bengaluru resident.

“Are you living in a Taj hotel? Even a 3-bedroom apartment in a Prestige apartment won’t exceed 40k per month,” another wrote.

Others pointed out that these expenses are not commensurate with the city’s usual salaries. “If Rs 2.5 lakh per month is the norm, then the total salary should be Rs 45 lakh per annum, which most MNCs do not pay even at the VP level,” a user pointed out.