Earning ₹2.5 Lakh a Month, Yet Locked Out of the Housing Market in the City of Dreams!

As real estate prices skyrocket, even high earners find themselves trapped in a cycle of rent, loans, and stress, raising tough questions about affordability in India’s most glamorous city.

A viral Reddit post has sparked widespread discussion on the growing disconnect between income and homeownership in Mumbai. The user, who earns a substantial ₹2.5 lakh per month, an income bracket many aspire to, revealed the harsh truth of trying to own a modest home in the city. Despite being in the top 2% of earners in India, they find it nearly impossible to afford even a basic apartment.

Earning ₹2.5L/month in Mumbai but still can’t afford a proper home. How messed up is this?
byu/blastronn inmumbai

“I earn ₹2.5 lakh per month, but I still can’t buy a decent home in Mumbai,” the post reads. “And by decent, I don’t mean luxurious—just safe, spacious, and in a good location with basic amenities. Even that now costs ₹5 crore or more.”

Even compromising to a ₹3 crore flat would demand an EMI of over ₹1.5 lakh per month wiping out most of their income. That leaves no space for emergencies, investments, or personal growth. “Just keep working to pay the bank. That’s the only plan.”

A City That Works Because of You, But Not For You

The frustration expressed is not isolated. The post mirrors the sentiment of many young and mid-career professionals in Mumbai: well-educated, well-paid, and still stuck in rental homes, often far from the city’s main hubs. The stress of long commutes, poor infrastructure, and an endless financial treadmill is weighing heavily.

“It’s not just my story. This is happening to a lot of professionals who earn well but live like they’re barely getting by. What’s the point of working so hard if you can’t even afford a roof of your own?”

The most alarming aspect of the post is not the numbers—it’s the message behind them. If someone earning over ₹30 lakh annually can’t buy a home in Mumbai without risking financial ruin, what about the rest?

The Reddit user asks bluntly:

“If this is how life looks for the top 2% income group, what hope does the average salaried person have? Is this the future we’re building?”

Real Estate vs Reality

Mumbai has always been known for its sky-high property prices. But the emotional toll of chasing that dream is no longer hidden. The cost of homeownership is not just measured in crores, it’s measured in years of compromise, lost freedom, and fading aspirations.

“It feels like you’re born, you work for 30 years, you pay your EMIs, and by the time it’s all over, your best years are behind you. No break. No pause. Just ‘managing’ life.”

The post ends with a strong call for awareness: “It’s not just that Mumbai is expensive—it’s unliveable for the very people who keep it running. We need to stop normalising this trap and start asking the tough questions.”

As this conversation gains traction, perhaps policymakers and urban developers will begin to shift their focus from luxury towers to livable cities. Until then, for many, the dream of owning a home in Mumbai remains just that, a dream.