A Google software engineer has sparked a fresh discussion about Bengaluru’s rising living costs. He shared his experience after moving from Delhi-NCR to the city. His post highlighted expensive rents and infrastructure problems despite Bengaluru’s strong technology industry.

Bengaluru’s High Rental Costs

Vaibhav Agarwal, a Google engineer, shared his views on X. He compared rental prices in Faridabad with those in Bengaluru’s Mahadevpura, a major IT hub.

He said a good 3BHK apartment in Faridabad costs around ₹20,000 to ₹25,000 per month. In comparison, a similar apartment in Mahadevpura costs more than ₹80,000. Residents also pay monthly maintenance charges of ₹10,000 to ₹15,000.

Agarwal said the concentration of technology companies explains the high demand for housing. However, he believes the high prices do not match the quality of infrastructure available in the city.

Infrastructure Remains a Concern

The engineer praised Bengaluru’s modern office campuses and technology parks. At the same time, he pointed out that roads, traffic, and public infrastructure remain major concerns.

He said people leave world-class office buildings only to face heavy traffic, damaged roads, and civic infrastructure that struggles to support the city’s rapid growth.

Bengaluru Still Leads India’s Tech Industry

Despite his criticism, Agarwal praised Bengaluru for its talented workforce and thriving startup ecosystem. He said these strengths have earned the city its reputation as India’s Silicon Valley.

He also expressed hope that Bengaluru’s infrastructure would improve and eventually match the growth of its technology sector.

Social Media Users Share Mixed Opinions

The post quickly gained attention on social media. Many users agreed with his concerns, while others challenged his estimates.

Some users said a decent 3BHK apartment is available for about ₹50,000 per month. They also claimed maintenance charges are usually closer to ₹5,000.

Others said newcomers often receive higher rental quotes from brokers. They advised tenants to negotiate, saying rents can sometimes drop by ₹15,000 to ₹20,000.

Several users also pointed out that rental prices vary across Bengaluru. They suggested looking at areas such as Kengeri and Challaghatta. These neighbourhoods offer lower rents, and Metro connectivity has improved access to other parts of the city.