The 30/50/20 rule for Indian metros

Rule of thumb: 30% of your take-home for rent, 50% for essentials (food, transport, utilities), 20% for savings and lifestyle. For Bengaluru/Mumbai/Delhi, 30% is often unrealistic — plan for 35% rent max, or you'll never save for a down-payment.

Real numbers by salary bracket

₹40,000 take-home → ~₹12,000-14,000 rent (1 BHK in mid-tier suburb). ₹75,000 → ~₹22,000-28,000 (nice 1 BHK or shared 2 BHK in prime). ₹1.5 L → ~₹45,000-55,000 (2 BHK in premium suburb). ₹3 L+ → ~₹80,000-1,20,000 (3 BHK or luxury 2 BHK). Anything higher than this and you're overspending.

The hidden costs most renters forget

Society maintenance: ₹1,500-₹5,000/mo. Wifi + electricity: ₹1,500-₹3,000/mo. Water in some societies: ₹500/mo. Gas: ₹500/mo. Domestic help: ₹2,000-₹5,000/mo. Move-in: ₹5,000-₹15,000 one-time. Plan for these on top of quoted rent.

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