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Time of India

Think Rs 25 LPA in India isn't enough? IIM graduate reveals how rich it makes you in India versus in the USA

In the age of remote jobs, dollar-denominated paychecks, and global LinkedIn flexes, it's easy to feel like an Indian salary just doesn't measure up. But a viral LinkedIn post by Shivani Gera—an ex-Deloitte employee and IIM-Kozhikode graduate—has reignited a debate many shy away from: what does your salary really buy you? According to Shivani, earning Rs 25 LPA in India can offer a lifestyle that would cost over Rs 70–75 LPA in the US. And the reason is simple—Purchasing Power Parity (PPP). It's not just how much you earn, but what that money lets you afford. And when you compare costs between India and the US, the results are stark. Here's how the numbers stack up: - Dining out for two: Rs 500 in India vs Rs 2,000 in the US Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. - 1BHK rent (metro): Rs 45,000–Rs 55,000/month in India vs Rs 1.5–2 lakh/month in the US by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The 15 Most Beautiful Fox News Anchors, Ranked House Coast Undo - Monthly internet: Rs 700 in India vs Rs 6,000 in the US - Full-time domestic help: Rs 12,000/month in India vs Rs 2.2 lakh/month in the US The takeaway? In India, Rs 25 LPA can get you a comfortable home, frequent dinners out, blazing fast Wi-Fi, and even a helping hand at home—without burning out or going broke. In contrast, the same lifestyle abroad demands a massive paycheck, often with less time and energy to enjoy it. She added that the next time someone flexes $150,000 salary in San Francisco, ask: "Are they living better? Or just paying more for the basics?" She believes that at the end of the day, real wealth isn't just about numbers on a payslip. It's about freedom, comfort, and how far your money truly takes you. And by that measure, a Rs 25 LPA life in India might just be the new benchmark of success. Shivani Gera clarified that while her post didn't factor in taxes, acknowledging that Rs 25 LPA is gross CTC and actual in-hand salary is closer to Rs 1.5–1.7 L/month, the core message remains unchanged. 'Purchasing Power Parity isn't about exact math; it's about relative cost of living,' she wrote. She believes that you don't need Rs 2L/month in India to live comfortably, but replicating that lifestyle in the US would require at least $85K annually. She added that while exceptions exist, and cities and lifestyles vary, her intent wasn't to flex salaries but to shift the conversation toward value over vanity—what your money does, not just what it is. Social media reacts While some users pushed back against Shivani Gera's perspective, noting that many professionals abroad, especially in the US or Europe, are often ahead in terms of savings, others acknowledged the nuance. One user shared how their US-based landlord owns multiple properties in Bangalore, arguing that the savings potential overseas can far exceed what's possible in India. However, others agreed with Gera's broader point, emphasising that income alone doesn't determine quality of life. Many appreciated the spotlight on real cost-of-living dynamics, saying they've heard similar sentiments from expats who found that what money buys matters more than how much is earned.