A new conversation around Mumbai’s living cost is trending on social media. This time, it is not about rising expenses, but about whether it is possible to live on less. A woman’s claim that she manages her monthly spending within ₹18,000 while living alone in Mumbai has caught attention and started a debate online.
How the viral conversation began
The discussion started after Shreya Gan shared a video on Instagram, where she spoke about her monthly expenses in a simple way.In the video, she said, “Come on, today I will tell you how much my monthly expense is while living alone in Mumbai. I live in a rented 1RK, the rent of which is ₹11.5K.”This detail about rent quickly became the highlight, as housing is usually the biggest expense in the city.
Her monthly expense breakdown
She went on to explain how she manages her other costs. According to her, electricity bills come to around ₹300 to ₹400, and mobile recharge costs ₹300.For travel, she mostly uses local trains and sometimes autos or taxis, spending around ₹500. She also shared that her grocery expenses are between ₹1500 to ₹1800.Apart from basic needs, she spends around ₹2000 on online shopping and keeps ₹1000 for other expenses. Adding everything together, she said, “So overall, I spend ₹17.5K to ₹18K in a month while living alone.”
Rent details raise questions
While the full budget was noted, the rent figure became the biggest talking point. Many users found it difficult to believe that a 1RK in Mumbai could cost ₹11,500.This led to several reactions online. One user wrote, “Itna kam rent kaunse mein mila? Because usually, a 1RK in Mumbai costs ₹25,000 to ₹30,000.” Another commented, “Where is this ₹11,500 rent available in Mumbai?”Some users reacted strongly. “What kind of Mumbai is this? 1RK in ₹11.5k?” one asked. Another said, “How come rent is so less,” while someone else added, “This is not possible in Mumbai.”
Mixed reactions from users
Apart from rent, some people also questioned whether managing all expenses within this budget is practical. One comment read, “This sounds difficult! It is so cheap.”At the same time, the video has made many people think about their own expenses and how budgeting can vary.Disclaimer: This report is based on claims made in a social media video. The Times of India has not independently verified the details.Thumb image: Instagram
