How does one live in New York City on a Rs 1.6 crore salary? Ask Google software engineer and social media influencer Maitri Mangal, who says the experience is not as glamorous as it seems.
In a now-viral video interview with podcaster and author Kushal Lodha, Mangal gave a frank glimpse into one month of her expenses in one of the world's most expensive cities—showing that even with a seven-figure salary, rent and living expenses can still make it a tight squeeze.
Lodha, sharing the clip on social media, had captioned: "What's the average package at Google? I asked Maitri, a Software Engineer at Google, and she told me it's about Rs 1.6 crore on an average for overall roles." But it was Mangal's open description of how much she spends every month that really caught the internet's eye.
Standing in her Manhattan apartment, Mangal disclosed that she spent around $5,000 (approximately ₹4.2 lakh) per month. An astonishing $3,000 (₹2.5 lakh) is paid only to rent. The rest—the food, entertainment, groceries, and transport—vary from $1,000–$2,000 (₹85,000–₹1.7 lakh), with transport alone taking up to $200 (₹17,000).
"New York living on this wage is comfortable, but it's not extravagance people would imagine," Mangal said. "It's balancing lifestyle, saving, and experiences."
Most social media users responded with a mix of feelings—some shocked at the high expenses, some others appreciative of the candor in opening up about what it really is like to spend and earn in a global tech city.
With more than 173,000 Instagram followers, Mangal frequently posts about career in tech and living in the U.S., giving a glimpse behind the check of high-paid tech careers.
Her video is a wake-up call for aspiring professionals: high paychecks tend to be accompanied by equally high bills.
Google Engineer in New York Uncovers Rs 1.6 Cr Salary Isn't as Glitzy as It Appears
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