Understanding the Cost of Living for Google Engineers in New York City

A seven-figure salary may appear to guarantee a life of luxury, but Google software engineer Maitri Mangal provides a sobering reality check. In a viral video, Mangal discusses her monthly expenses in New York City, shedding light on how an impressive Rs 1.6 crore annual income can quickly diminish amidst the exorbitant cost of living in the Big Apple.

In a conversation with podcaster and author Kushal Lodha, Mangal offered insights about her earnings as well as the financial challenges of residing in one of the globe’s most expensive locales.

Salary Expectations at Google

Lodha commented, “What’s the average package at Google?” Mangal, a Google Software Engineer, mentioned that it typically hovers around Rs 1.6 crore across various roles.

Monthly Expenses Breakdown

However, what truly piqued interest was how much of that income is required just to cover living costs in New York City.

While standing in her apartment, Mangal disclosed that her monthly expenditure amounts to approximately $5,000 (about Rs 4.2 lakh). The largest portion of this goes towards rent, which costs her around $3,000 (nearly Rs 2.5 lakh).

Everyday Living Costs

When it comes to daily expenses like dining out, groceries, and entertainment, these can range from $1,000 to $2,000 (Rs 85,684 to Rs 1,71,368), with transportation adding another $100 to $200 (Rs 8,568 to Rs 17,136) to the monthly total.

Public Reaction and Engagement

The comment section of the video quickly became a vibrant forum discussing the stark contrast between impressive salary packages and the unyielding cost of living in major cities such as New York.

Loyal follower base of 173,000 on Instagram has made Maitri Mangal a prominent voice, stimulating discussions around the true purchasing power of elevated salaries in urban centres.