'Even on Rs 1.6 crore, it’s not lavish': Indian techie working at Google shares monthly expenses in New York

A video featuring Maitri Mangal, an Indian software engineer at Google, has gone viral after she revealed that even a high-paying job in New York City doesn’t necessarily translate to a lavish lifestyle. In a candid conversation with podcaster and author Kushal Lodha, Mangal broke down her monthly expenses, offering insight into how far a salary of Rs 1.6 crore per annum really goes in one of the world’s most expensive cities.

In the now-viral video, shot inside her New York apartment, Mangal said, “My monthly budget is around $5,000.” Of that amount, a staggering $3,000 (approximately Rs 2.5 lakh) goes solely towards rent. The remaining $2,000 (Rs 1.7 lakh approx.) covers daily expenses, including eating out, groceries, and entertainment. Transportation costs her another $100 to $200 (Rs 8,500–Rs 17,000 approx.) per month.

Mangal, who regularly shares tech and lifestyle content on Instagram where she has over 173,000 followers, also addressed compensation at Google. “The average package at Google across roles is around Rs 1.6 crore,” she told Lodha. She added that software engineers in New York typically earn between Rs 150,000 and $200,000 annually.

The video, posted by Lodha on Instagram, quickly gained traction online. “What’s the average package at Google? I asked Maitri, a Software Engineer at Google, and she shared that it’s around Rs 1.6 Crores in general across roles! Then I asked her, how much does it cost to actually live in New York? From rent to groceries, she breaks down her monthly expenses, and it’s eye-opening!” Lodha wrote in the caption.

The video sparked an animated discussion in the comments section, with users debating the actual value of a seven-figure income when juxtaposed with high living costs in the US.