A Russian woman living in Bengaluru has gone viral after revealing just how expensive life has become in India’s Silicon Valley. Comparing the city’s rising prices to those in Europe, her post has triggered a wave of online debate about what it really costs to live a “decent” life in Bengaluru today.
From Rs 25,000 rent to Rs 1.25 lakh, how Bengaluru’s cost of living has changed over 11 years
The woman, identified as Yulia Aslamova, first moved to Bengaluru 11 years ago for a work project. Back then, she said, the city was much more affordable.
“Well, 11 years ago, when I came to Bengaluru for my work project, everything was very reasonable for me,” she wrote in her Instagram post. “Maybe because my own country’s currency was super strong, and I was dividing all prices by half.”
She recalled renting a 2BHK apartment in a gated community near HSR Layout for just Rs 25,000, and taking a Meeru cab to the airport for Rs 700. Today, she says, prices have skyrocketed, making Bengaluru almost as expensive as several European cities.
‘Comparable to Europe’: Yulia says Bengaluru living costs are like Spain, Portugal and Greece
According to Yulia, the current cost of living in Bengaluru can be easily compared to cities like Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, or even her hometown Saint Petersburg.
She estimated that a family of three needs at least Rs 2.5 lakh per month to live comfortably in the city. “I heard that the cost of living in Gurgaon and Mumbai is even higher,” she added.
Despite the rising costs, Yulia maintains a positive outlook. “I do not complain, as I strongly believe, work harder and party harder. I love making money, spending it, buying more life in my life, experiencing life and growing further. And I’m super thankful to the universe that I’m living in India in 2025, the country with endless opportunities.”
Breaking down her monthly expenses: rent, school, food, and house help
In her video, Yulia gave a detailed breakdown of her monthly expenses in Bengaluru:
She noted that these figures represent the minimum required to live a “decently okay” lifestyle for a family of three in the city.
Internet divided: ‘Overpaying for house help’ vs ‘That’s the reality now’
The viral video has received nearly 3 lakh views, sparking mixed reactions across social media.
One user commented, “House help Rs 45,000? You are actually overpaying and that will be a problem for locals.”
Another Bengaluru resident said, “Living in the city for 20+ years, I have never spent even half of what’s quoted here in a single month.”
However, others agreed with her observations. One user wrote, “Yes, that’s true. While the cost of living in Gurgaon is comparable to or even higher than Bengaluru, one significant advantage is the better road infrastructure.”
Another added, “That is indeed comparable and sometimes even more expensive than what we pay here in The Netherlands.”
The bigger question: is Bengaluru still affordable for working families?
Yulia’s post has reignited a broader discussion about how Bengaluru’s transformation into a global tech hub has pushed up living costs, from rent and school fees to domestic help.
While some residents say you can still live comfortably with smart budgeting, others argue that salaries haven’t risen in proportion to expenses.
Either way, one thing is clear: Bengaluru’s charm now comes with a high price tag.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a social media post by a user. ET.com has not independently verified the claims made and does not guarantee their accuracy. The views expressed are solely those of the individual and do not necessarily represent the views of ET.com. Reader discretion is advised.
From Rs 25,000 rent to Rs 1.25 lakh, how Bengaluru’s cost of living has changed over 11 years
The woman, identified as Yulia Aslamova, first moved to Bengaluru 11 years ago for a work project. Back then, she said, the city was much more affordable.
“Well, 11 years ago, when I came to Bengaluru for my work project, everything was very reasonable for me,” she wrote in her Instagram post. “Maybe because my own country’s currency was super strong, and I was dividing all prices by half.”
She recalled renting a 2BHK apartment in a gated community near HSR Layout for just Rs 25,000, and taking a Meeru cab to the airport for Rs 700. Today, she says, prices have skyrocketed, making Bengaluru almost as expensive as several European cities.
‘Comparable to Europe’: Yulia says Bengaluru living costs are like Spain, Portugal and Greece
According to Yulia, the current cost of living in Bengaluru can be easily compared to cities like Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, or even her hometown Saint Petersburg.
She estimated that a family of three needs at least Rs 2.5 lakh per month to live comfortably in the city. “I heard that the cost of living in Gurgaon and Mumbai is even higher,” she added.
Despite the rising costs, Yulia maintains a positive outlook. “I do not complain, as I strongly believe, work harder and party harder. I love making money, spending it, buying more life in my life, experiencing life and growing further. And I’m super thankful to the universe that I’m living in India in 2025, the country with endless opportunities.”
Breaking down her monthly expenses: rent, school, food, and house help
In her video, Yulia gave a detailed breakdown of her monthly expenses in Bengaluru:
- Rent: Rs 1,25,000
- School fees: Rs 30,000
- Food and household essentials: Rs 75,000
- House help: Rs 45,000
- Health and fitness: Rs 30,000
- Petrol: Rs 5,000
She noted that these figures represent the minimum required to live a “decently okay” lifestyle for a family of three in the city.
Internet divided: ‘Overpaying for house help’ vs ‘That’s the reality now’
The viral video has received nearly 3 lakh views, sparking mixed reactions across social media.
One user commented, “House help Rs 45,000? You are actually overpaying and that will be a problem for locals.”
Another Bengaluru resident said, “Living in the city for 20+ years, I have never spent even half of what’s quoted here in a single month.”
However, others agreed with her observations. One user wrote, “Yes, that’s true. While the cost of living in Gurgaon is comparable to or even higher than Bengaluru, one significant advantage is the better road infrastructure.”
Another added, “That is indeed comparable and sometimes even more expensive than what we pay here in The Netherlands.”
The bigger question: is Bengaluru still affordable for working families?
Yulia’s post has reignited a broader discussion about how Bengaluru’s transformation into a global tech hub has pushed up living costs, from rent and school fees to domestic help.
While some residents say you can still live comfortably with smart budgeting, others argue that salaries haven’t risen in proportion to expenses.
Either way, one thing is clear: Bengaluru’s charm now comes with a high price tag.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a social media post by a user. ET.com has not independently verified the claims made and does not guarantee their accuracy. The views expressed are solely those of the individual and do not necessarily represent the views of ET.com. Reader discretion is advised.
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