Pune Man Regrets Moving to Bengaluru Despite 40% Salary Hike, Cites High Rent, Traffic, and Cost of Living

Pune: A corporate professional who relocated from Pune to Bengaluru for a 40% salary hike now regrets his decision, citing high living costs and poor infrastructure. His story, shared by a friend in a viral LinkedIn post, has sparked discussions on the quality of life in metro cities.

According to the post, the man was earning ₹18 lakh per annum (LPA) in Pune before accepting a ₹25 LPA offer in Bengaluru. However, within a year, he realized that the salary increment did not translate to a better lifestyle.

“I shouldn’t have switched cities,” he admitted in a conversation with his friend. “Pune was way better; 25 LPA feels like nothing in Bengaluru.”

Rising Expenses, Traffic Woes

His friend, surprised by his regret, questioned his reasoning. “A 40% increment is significant; you should be saving more money. Why do you want to come back?”

The man explained that the soaring expenses in Bengaluru negated the salary increase. “It’s peanuts for Bengaluru,” he said. “Rent is exorbitantly high, and landlords demand three to four months’ deposit. Traffic is terrible, and commuting is costly.”

He also mentioned missing Pune’s affordability, saying, “At least life and savings were decent there. Even a ₹15 vada pav was enough.”

Mixed Reactions Online

The LinkedIn post ignited a debate among professionals. Some resonated with his experience, while others defended Bengaluru’s opportunities.

One user wrote, “I totally relate! I spent eight years in Pune and loved its balance—great weather, affordable living, and a chill vibe. Moving to Bengaluru made me realize how different things are. High rents and traffic eat into any salary hike. Pune still feels like home.”

Another countered, “I earn much less but am happy in Bengaluru. It’s about money management. Don’t blame the city.”

Others compared Bengaluru’s cost of living to Mumbai’s. A user commented, “I’ve lived in Mumbai all my life and recently moved to Bengaluru. Mumbai is expensive, but apart from rent, everything else is cheaper compared to Bengaluru.”

Not the First Case

This is not the first time a professional has regretted moving to Bengaluru. Earlier, another worker who relocated from Noida for a better salary shared a similar experience. Calling Bengaluru “dirty, unorganized,” with “bad roads and the worst traffic,” they warned others that the hike might not be worth it.

As the debate continues, many professionals are re-evaluating whether higher salaries in metro cities truly improve their quality of life.