'Rs 70,000 for 2BHK in Koramangala': Bengaluru woman questions high rent despite traffic, sewage issues

Bengaluru woman calls out high rent in Koramangala. (AI-generated image)

Bengaluru is no stranger to rising rents, but the latest social media post has brought the city’s housing costs sharply into focus. Residents are increasingly questioning whether the high price of living in central neighbourhoods is justified, especially when basic infrastructure issues persist.

In a widely shared post on X, marketing professional Lubna Malhotra criticised the Rs 70,000 monthly rent for a 2-bedroom flat in Koramangala, pointing out that the area still struggles with traffic congestion, open sewage, and broken roads.

“70k for a 2bhk? Koramangala have some shame — there’s traffic, open sewage, and broken roads. What are we paying the premium for?” she wrote.

Koramangala is one of Bengaluru’s most well-known neighbourhoods, popular for its start-up culture, cafés, pubs, restaurants, and shopping centres such as Nexus Mall. Its central location and vibrant social scene make it a preferred choice for young professionals and students.

Bengaluru remains in high demand due to job opportunities, connectivity, and lifestyle amenities. Even with infrastructure challenges, many professionals are willing to pay a premium to stay near offices, tech parks, and social hotspots.

Despite these attractions, Malhotra’s post highlighted that the high rent does not necessarily reflect the everyday challenges residents face. She pointed to damaged roads, traffic jams, and open sewage as ongoing problems that seem inconsistent with the high cost of living.

The post triggered a discussion on social media. Some users agreed with Malhotra, questioning the logic behind such high rents. One user wrote, “Organise loot, nothing else. They are just exploiting because of high demand. There is no justification for this price in India. There should be a capping, otherwise… It will keep happening.”

70k for a 2bhk?

Story continues below Advertisement

Remove Ad

Koramangala have some shame - there’s traffic, open sewage, and broken roads. What are we paying the premium for? — Lubna Malhotra (@lubnamalhotra) February 10, 2026

Others offered more humorous takes, pointing out the trade-off between convenience and cost. “Paying Rs 70k for ‘vibes’ and proximity to cafés you’ll sit in because traffic won’t let you go anywhere else,” one comment read.

Some defended the pricing, suggesting it reflects the area’s status and central location. “Because Koramangala is posh and central that’s why it’s expensive.. you can move 10 kms inside, you will get it for 65k,” one user noted.

Others drew comparisons with nearby neighbourhoods, indicating that high rents are not unique to Koramangala, “It's reasonable. I have seen rents close to 75K for a 2 BHK flat in the Whitefield area,” a commenter added.

Another comment highlighted the broader economic perspective, “You lay not for the ease of living but for the high paying job/business opportunities you get in the tier one cities. The demand of accomodations in tier is and going to keep surging and so will be the price. The only solution- Go build in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. No one wants to do that!”

Voices from other cities also joined the discussion. “Damn, that’s still cheap! Talk about Rs 60-70K for an unfurnished 1BHK in Mumbai, endless traffic, broken roads with incompetent patchwork, sewage issues, garbage everywhere… and the list just goes on. We do a premium, but what for exactly? Just a sad state of affairs,” one user wrote.

Others pointed out even higher rents in other metropolitan areas. “You will find a more expensive range in the Gurgaon golf course road,” another commented.