
From Sikar to Seattle: How a young techie balances high costs, big dreams, and long distance duties
Starting her career at Amazon India through campus placement, she made rapid strides, eventually moving to the company's US office in July 2021.
'The role gave me a wider canvas to grow and contribute," said the 26-year-old software engineer.
Yet, the move also brought a whirlwind of lifestyle shifts—most notably, financial ones.
'The cost of living on the West Coast is much higher than in other parts of the US," she says. Though salaries are slightly adjusted for location, the pay doesn't always match the hike in expenses.
Saini shares her experience of living in Seattle as part of a Mint series on Indian expats.
Sticker shock
From basic groceries to services like haircuts and house help, Divya says she experienced cost culture shock in the US.
'I used to constantly convert USD to INR. It always felt ridiculously expensive."
Now she understands purchase price parity (PPP), but even a routine haircut, she points out, can cost $100-$200—or upto ₹17,000. 'I now get it done just once in six months and time the next cut with my annual India trip."
Unlike in India—where she lived with roommates and shared costs—Divya now lives alone in a snug 530 sq ft one-bedroom apartment.
'Roommate culture exists here too, but with a stranger, it can be challenging to share chores which are easily outsourced to house help and handymen in India. It's easier to avoid friction by living alone," she said. That choice brings comfort—but also a steep price: nearly 30% of her income goes toward rent, groceries, utilities, and travel.
Budgeting for lunch
Food is another major recurring cost, and not all of it is avoidable. Divya cooks most of her breakfast and dinner at home, but lunch is a different story.
'I usually prepare my breakfast and dinner at home, but I have to order-in lunch in the office as there is not enough time to cook. One meal costs about $15–20, which adds up significantly over the month," she said.
Despite the costs, Divya makes it a point to travel often. She's already checked off Hawaii (three times), New York, Miami, Portland, and San Francisco. 'I thoroughly enjoyed New York. It's a very vibrant and diverse city," she said.
Each trip costs around $1,500, funded from her short-term savings. 'I plan around long weekends and keep aside about 25% of my salary for travel and other big purchases," she said.
Divya doesn't splurge on big-ticket items like cars or electronics, but she did make two large investments that brought comfort: a robotic vacuum cleaner and a roti maker—together costing $3,000.
'They've been totally worth it for the convenience and time they save."
'Financially speaking, I think most luxuries are possible in India if you're doing well in your field," she added.
Career moves and visa truths
While the US is often called the land of opportunity, Divya says it's most true in traditional high-paying sectors—tech, medicine, finance, and law.
'People are more open to pursuing unconventional paths here, but the money still concentrates in a few fields."
Visa constraints are a hurdle for Indian spouses. 'If you come on the dependent visa, you can't work in the US unless your H-1B holder spouse is far along in the green card process," Divya explained.
Some choose to study or find a job that offers visa sponsorship, but that process can be long and uncertain.
Taxes and social security
US tech hubs like San Francisco, Seattle, and New York are known for offering some of the highest salaries in the global tech industry. However, once taxes and living expenses are factored in, the take-home pay is not as impressive.
Divya pays an effective tax rate of 27%, and after deductions towards insurance, 401(K) retirement plan and other contributions, she receives roughly 65% of her gross income. Annual appraisals are modest within the same company at around 3–7% annually, she said.
If you want significant hikes—like 30 to 50%—you usually need to switch companies, she said.
According to Numbeo, an online database of quality-of-life metrics, life in Seattle—rent included—is a staggering 350% more expensive than in Bengaluru. Adjusting for purchasing power parity, one would need around $4,891 (or ₹4.21 lakh) in Seattle to match the lifestyle ₹1 lakh affords in the Indian tech capital, according to World Bank estimates.
Unlike Europe, where public healthcare and social support are more robust, the US offers limited social security benefits, and healthcare is mostly private. While not legally mandatory, health insurance is practically essential due to high medical costs. Divya is covered under an employer-sponsored plan that costs about $150 per month, which is far more affordable than individual plans that typically range from $400 to $700.
Her plan includes outpatient care, hospitalisation, and prescriptions, but has a $2,000 annual deductible.
"Only after I've paid that out of pocket does my insurance start covering costs, so it's really only helpful in the case of major medical issues," she said. A visit to a general physician costs about $200 per visit, while a specialist charges about $400, she added.
After covering essential expenses and discretionary spending, Divya sets aside about 30% of her salary. Of this, she invests 20% in US index funds and sends the remainder to her family in India.
Yet, it's not all about cutting back.
'The quality of life is excellent, and the learning curve steep," Divya said.
With long-term plans of launching her own startup, she's already testing ideas through hackathons and have launched two AI-powered voice agent side projects called Dance Buddy and Adulting Buddy.
'There's a contagious entrepreneurial spirit in the US that really pushes you to think big," she added.
Money moves that work
When she first moved, Divya sent most of her savings back to India—only to realise that it wasn't the most efficient plan. 'Six months in, I realised it was a costly mistake given the weak INR against the USD," she reflects.
Now, she manages her finances entirely in the US, primarily investing in low-cost index funds. She also maxes out the annual $23,000 limit towards 401(k) retirement plan, which is deducted from her gross income.
Her only Indian asset is a small industrial plot in Rajasthan, acquired through a government lottery while she worked in India. 'My father encouraged me to build this early asset to support my dream of starting my own business," she said.
Although Divya hasn't yet decided whether to set up her business in the US or India, her connection to home remains strong.
'I miss my family and feel a deep sense of purpose in contributing to India by creating jobs and building something meaningful there," she said. She's optimistic that her US-based savings in index funds and Amazon ESOPs will help fund her entrepreneurial journey, wherever she chooses to begin it.
Note: This article reflects Divya's personal experience living and working in the US. Costs, income, lifestyle choices, and financial priorities may vary for others based on individual circumstances and goals.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Indian Express
27 minutes ago
- Indian Express
India unlikely to import US genetically modified agricultural items under trade deal: Sources
During the ongoing trade negotiations, India is unlikely to agree to US demands to accept genetically modified (GM) agricultural products such as corn and soya, a source closely monitoring the talks has indicated. 'Some things are matters of principle. We can't import GM,' the source said in response to a query over the government's position on GM imports from the US. This assumes significance since agriculture remains one of the contentious issues between the two countries, and the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has previously flagged restrictions on its GM products by countries as discriminatory. 'The Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 includes specific provisions for regulating food products derived from genetically engineered (GE) sources; however, as of December 31, 2024, the FSSAI was still in the process of establishing its regulations. India's biotechnology approval processes are slow, opaque, and subject to political influences, and do not appear to take into account science-based approval processes for GE products in exporting countries,' the USTR report had said. While India is seeking greater market access for its textiles, leather and footwear, the US is pushing for access to India's agricultural and dairy markets — a major hurdle, as Indian farmers often operate on small land parcels with limited technological support. In contrast, the US has demanded that India should drop its GM regulation. There is significant resistance to genetically modified (GM) crops in India. Only one GM crop — Bt cotton — is approved for cultivation. No GM food crop is commercially grown, although experimental trials continue. However, imports of GM soybean oil and canola oil are permitted. A 2013 report by the European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility (ENSSER) emphasised that many studies deeming GM foods safe were industry-funded, and that long‑term, independent studies were lacking. New Delhi‑based think tank GTRI said: 'Environmental studies have shown that widespread use of Bt crops can lead to pest resistance, such as in the pink bollworm, and pose risks to non‑target species such as monarch butterflies, as suggested in a 1999 Nature study. Additionally, the overuse of glyphosate with herbicide-tolerant GM crops has led to 'superweeds' and increased herbicide use.' The GTRI said that GM and non‑GM crops may intermingle at various stages of the supply chain — during transport, storage or processing. 'Once GM material enters, there is a high risk it could leak into local farming systems or processed food chains, posing risks to food safety, environmental integrity, and India's export reputation — especially in GM‑sensitive markets such as the EU,' the think tank warned. It said the import of GM products, such as animal feed, could negatively affect India's agricultural exports to the EU, which enforces strict GM-labelling rules and faces strong consumer opposition to GM‑linked products. Although GM feed is permitted, many European buyers prefer fully GM‑free supply chains. India's fragmented agri‑logistics and lack of segregation infrastructure increase the likelihood of cross‑contamination and trace GM presence in export consignments. This could result in shipment rejections, higher testing costs, and erosion of India's GM‑free image, particularly in sectors such as rice, tea, honey, spices and organic foods, the GTRI said. Ravi Dutta Mishra is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, covering policy issues related to trade, commerce, and banking. He has over five years of experience and has previously worked with Mint, CNBC-TV18, and other news outlets. ... Read More


Mint
27 minutes ago
- Mint
PM Modi ‘deeply honoured' to attend Maldives' Independence day event: ‘Productive talks with President Muizzu will…'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday attended the 60th Independence Day celebrations of Maldives, along with members of his delegation. The event was organised at the Republic Square in Male, where President Mohamed Muizzu and several ministers of the country welcomed PM Modi as the Guest of Honour. After attending the event, PM Modi expressed on X that he was 'deeply honoured' to have witnessed the celebrations. 'The productive talks with President Muizzu will add significant energy to our bilateral relations,' the post read. In another post, he also said that the relationship between the two countries continues to grow and that it is shaped by people-to-people ties and cooperation in various sectors. 'India remains committed to supporting the aspirations of the Maldivian people and to working together for the betterment of our planet,' he added. During the 5-minute event, PM Modi was seen sitting next to Muizzu. The event featured a military parade and cultural performances by children and other artists. The top political and military brass of the Maldives were also present at the event. Members of PM Modi's delegation, including external affairs minister S Jaishankar and foreign secretary Vikram Misri, attended the event too, PTI reported. PM Modi's visit to the island nation marks a significant step towards improving the India-Maldives relations after a brief period of tension as Mohamed Muizzu, known for his 'pro-China' leanings, came to power while running an 'India Out' campaign. He adopted a policy aimed at strengthening relations with China and in a way reducing dependence on India, Mint reported earlier. However, in recent years, bilateral ties have been reset through what experts call a pragmatic approach. Muizzu visited India in October last year, and now PM Modi is on a two-day visit to Maldives. 'The Maldives will not do anything that would harm India's security interests. We value India's role as a close neighbour and friend,' President Muizzu said during the visit, marking a sharp departure from his earlier 'India-Out' campaign.


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Maintaining sustained growth top priority, says FM Sitharaman
New Delhi: Maintaining sustained growth is the top priority amid global uncertainties, and an incremental rise in public capital expenditure is one of the drivers for economic development, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Saturday. The statement assumes significance as the Indian economy grew by 6.5 per cent in FY25. This growth was the slowest in four years, and compares to a 9.2 per cent expansion in the previous 2023-24 fiscal. The Economic Survey has projected the GDP growth for FY26 between 6.3 per cent and 6.8 per cent, while the RBI lowered its growth forecast from an earlier level of 6.7 per cent to 6.5 per cent for the ongoing financial year. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Only Classless Women Wear these Over a Certain Age Learn More Undo Speaking at a book release event here, Sitharaman said, "To maintain the growth is the topmost priority. Growth is the topmost, and therefore, it will have an overlap with how you create jobs..." Keeping India relevant amid global challenges and being there in a leadership position, and moving forward along with other countries are other priority areas, she said, adding that the priority would also be to redefine the voice of the Global South. Live Events Finding resources for meeting many domestic economic aspirations within fiscal constraints is another priority, she said while releasing the book titled 'A World in Flux: India's Economic Priorities'. She further said the incremental rise in public capital expenditure is one of the primary drivers of sustained economic growth. "Public investments have kept pace. It has been Prime Minister Narendra Modi's clear instruction that we have to have capital expenditure grow and grow significantly. I confidently believe that it is one of the primary drivers of sustained economic growth," she said. The other focus area of the government is to push growth through a friendly and attractive FDI policy to be able to get more and more investments happening in India. Besides, she said, the healthy competition among states to attract investment is also a good sign. Speaking about bilateral trade deals, the finance minister said such agreements are taking priority over multilateral trade. "On the bilateral trade front, we are moving forward and we have seen bilateral agreements being signed in the last four to five years with Australia, UAE and the UK. Negotiations are progressing well with the United States as well as the European Union," she said. Asked about relations with China, Sitharaman said it is getting a bit better, and the beginning has been made with the visit of the External Affairs Minister recently. "We need more access, and we need to have a lot more interaction, and possibly open some windows. And that's not just from our side, even the Chinese have been approaching through the MEA. "So, you had External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar go. There is something, some kind of a beginning, as to how much it will take us far; how far it will go is something we will have to wait and see. It might help the economy; however, a sense of caution would have to be built in," she added.