Bought a ₹3 crore flat in Gurgaon, now 'need ₹7.5 lakh/month just to breathe': Man’s viral post sparks internet frenzy

When people imagine luxury living, they often think of gleaming towers, imported SUVs, and weekend getaways abroad. But a recent viral post on LinkedIn by Gurugram resident Vaibhav J has peeled back the velvet curtain to reveal what it truly costs to “breathe” in one of India’s most elite neighbourhoods. His now widely discussed statement reads, “I own a house in Gurgaon, India. Translation: I need ₹7.5 lakh/month just to breathe.”

This provocative claim has triggered an avalanche of reactions online. But Vaibhav backs his assertion with cold, hard numbers. Shared through a detailed monthly expense list, he explains how his high-end lifestyle amounts to a staggering ₹5 lakh per month in outflows. Factor in income tax, and one would need to earn a minimum of ₹7.5 lakh every month—or ₹90 lakh per year pre-tax—just to sustain this way of life.

The Cost of Status

According to Vaibhav’s breakdown, a ₹2.08 lakh EMI for a ₹3 crore house is just the beginning. Then comes ₹60,000 for a car EMI—because as he bluntly puts it, “you can’t roll up in a Swift.” Add ₹65,000 for an IB school education for the kids, ₹30,000 for staff salaries (cook, maid, driver), and ₹12,000 to look “DLF Phase 5 ready”—which means personal grooming and designer attire.

There’s also ₹20,000 allocated to socialising—club nights and dinners one may not even enjoy, and ₹15,000 for gifting obligations that Vaibhav calls the “fake smiles tax.” On top of that, there’s a ₹30,000 buffer for annual foreign trips and a ₹12,000 monthly bill just for the home fountain's maintenance.

“And yeah, I haven’t eaten yet,” he concludes sardonically, pointing out how even basic needs feel like an afterthought in such a budget.

Reactions: Relatable, Ridiculous or Revealing?

The post has drawn mixed responses from netizens—ranging from empathetic nods to sharp sarcasm. One user wrote, “Reality hits hard,” while another questioned the framing: “It’s incredible how you’ve turned your lifestyle choices into problems of society.” Some called it an exaggerated portrayal of voluntary luxuries: “This is sensationalised storytelling. If you start listing everything A-list celebrities spend on, even ₹7.5L won't suffice.”

Others defended the post as an honest reflection of a new-age middle-class reality in urban India. One user noted, “Even without EMIs, surviving in Gurugram costs upwards of ₹3 lakh per month.”

The Fine Print of Financial Aspiration

Vaibhav’s candid breakdown offers more than just a peek into one person’s monthly spending—it captures a broader tension many urban professionals quietly contend with: the widening gap between visible affluence and actual financial comfort. A ₹3 crore home in Gurugram might tick the box for success on paper, but maintaining the image it projects often comes with a hefty, ongoing price tag.

As one user cheekily remarked, “You’re both lucky and unlucky to have landed something for ₹3 crore in Gurugram.”

Whether seen as a relatable confession, a privileged lament, or a mirror to modern lifestyle inflation, Vaibhav’s post is resonating because it hits a nerve. It’s not just about wealth accumulation—it’s about the silent pressure to keep up appearances in cities where looking rich can cost more than being rich.