Google Techie Sparks Debate: Is ₹45 LPA in Bengaluru Better Than £108k in London?

Google techie Vaibhav Agarwal’s viral LinkedIn post claims that ₹45 LPA in Bengaluru offers a more luxurious lifestyle than £108k in London, citing PPP and cost-of-living differences. While Bengaluru allows outsourcing chores and living in luxury housing, London salaries are heavily consumed by rent and daily expenses. Social media users debated his perspective, with some defending London’s cultural lifestyle and global exposure, while others agreed that disposable income and comfort in India outweigh higher salaries abroad.

Jan 7, 2026 0 4

Google Techie Sparks Debate: Is ₹45 LPA in Bengaluru Better Than £108k in London?

A viral LinkedIn post by Google engineer Vaibhav Agarwal has ignited a heated discussion on cost-of-living differences between India and the UK. Agarwal argued that a salary of ₹45 lakh per annum (LPA) in Bengaluru provides a more luxurious lifestyle than earning £108,000 (₹1.15 crore) in London, citing the principle of Purchasing Power Parity (PPP).

💰 Bengaluru Lifestyle on ₹45 LPA

According to Agarwal, a ₹45 LPA package translates to a monthly take-home of around ₹2.7 lakh. With this, one can afford:

A luxury 2BHK apartment (~₹50,000 rent)
Domestic help (cook ~₹5,000, maid ~₹3,000)
Affordable commuting via Uber and groceries delivered through apps like Blinkit

He described this lifestyle as “Top 1% Earner — living like a king, outsourcing every chore.”

💷 London Lifestyle on £108k

In contrast, Agarwal noted that £108k annually results in a net monthly income of about £6,100 after taxes. However, expenses are steep:

A one-bedroom apartment in Zone 2 costs ~£2,200 (~₹2.4 lakh)
Domestic help is unaffordable for most, making chores self-managed
Lifestyle equates to “Upper Middle Class — comfortable but standard.”

🗣️ Social Media Reactions

The post quickly went viral, drawing mixed opinions:

Some criticized Agarwal’s definition of “luxury,” pointing out that self-reliance in London is cultural, not a downgrade.
Others highlighted London’s advantages: global exposure, cleaner air, free state-funded education.
Critics also noted that earning ₹45 LPA in India is harder compared to securing £108k in the UK, where it’s just above average pay for software engineers.
Many agreed PPP matters more than currency conversion, emphasizing disposable income after rent, healthcare, and living costs.

Agarwal concluded: “Don’t convert Pounds to Rupees. Convert Lifestyle to Lifestyle.”

Disclaimer: This article draws upon a viral social media discussion and is meant purely for informational and entertainment purposes. The financial details and strategies referenced reflect individual perspectives and have not been independently validated. The content should not be considered financial advice or an endorsement of any particular investment approach. Readers are encouraged to seek guidance from a SEBI-registered investment advisor before making any financial decisions.