A high salary in Bengaluru may look like a shortcut to financial comfort, but one techie’s calculation has started a debate over how much money people actually get to keep after paying for everyday life in the city. Anmol Agarwal shared a video on Instagram with the caption, “You can’t become rich in Banglore”. In the video, he argued that even people earning Rs 50 lakh or Rs 70 lakh a year can find it difficult to build substantial wealth if they are living an expensive lifestyle in Bengaluru.His calculation, however, did not go down well with everyone, with several users questioning the assumptions behind the numbers.The Rs 50 lakh salary calculationAgarwal began by taking an example of someone earning Rs 50 lakh a year as their base salary, while acknowledging that getting the entire package as base pay itself is not common.“50 LPA, 70 LPA, no matter how much money you earn, I will prove to you in one minute that you can never become rich in Bangalore,” he said.After taxes and EPF deductions, he estimated that around Rs 35 lakh could remain annually, which works out to nearly Rs 3 lakh a month.He then listed the kind of expenses a person could face. According to his calculation, rent for a 2BHK could take Rs 60,000-70,000 every month. Maid and cook expenses could add another Rs 10,000 each, while groceries, gym, shopping and travel could take the total monthly spending to around Rs 1.2 lakh to Rs 1.3 lakh.“If you also decide to buy a car, assume another ₹50,000 a month, which I am actually keeping on the lower side,” he said.That, he argued, could bring the amount available for investments down to roughly Rs 1 lakh a month, particularly once family and children-related expenses enter the picture.Housing is where the bigger problem startsAgarwal also pointed towards Bengaluru’s property prices. He claimed that a house costing around Rs 3 crore today could eventually become a Rs 6-7 crore property, making home ownership difficult even for someone earning a high salary.“No matter how well you invest it, you may still struggle to buy a house until close to retirement,” he said.His argument also assumes that the person remains employed continuously, without a major setback from layoffs or changes brought by artificial intelligence.He suggested that professionals could instead look at remote jobs or start businesses while living in smaller Tier-3 cities, where the same income can potentially support a different lifestyle.“In cities like Bangalore, even a cup of coffee can cost ₹250, ₹300 or ₹350. When the cost of living is this high, no matter how much you earn, becoming genuinely wealthy can be extremely difficult,” he said.Viewers challenge the numbersThe Instagram comments showed that many viewers did not agree with the calculation. One user argued that a 2BHK in good Bengaluru locations could cost around Rs 40,000, while another said they manage their entire expenses within Rs 70,000-80,000.Another commenter said, “Pure dunia me tm kitna bhi kama lo kabhi ameer ni ho paoge unless you learn to save, invest and spend properly. Read Psychology of money”.Some users also questioned the Rs 10,000 gym estimate and the Rs 50,000 monthly car expense, saying these costs depend heavily on individual choices.One commenter summed up the criticism by saying, “Again depends on your choices in life 30 me v coffee milti and 300 me v”.Others agreed with Agarwal’s broader point about remote work and lower-cost cities. A user said they had been working remotely from Jaipur for years and preferred its lower cost of living, less traffic and better air quality.